Cards History. The end

The French gave the image of Etien de Vigniel to the jack of hearts who served in the army of Charles VII. He had the nickname of "La Ire"( that is translated from French like "rage"). He was an excellent warrior, courageous, generous, merciless and sharp man. Once the priest pardoned his sins and ordered to pray in public. De Vigniel kneeled and said: "My Lord, I pray to show such mercy to La Ire as you want to be granted from him in case you changed positions". For some time he was Joan of Arc`s military adviser and ordinary people revered him like Till Eulenspigel, William Tell and Robin Hood. That is why he indisputably became the jack of hearts.

Ogier Danish was the prototype of the jack of spades. According to historic chronicles, two famous Spanish swords helped him win many battles. Ogier Danish combines both real and legendary traits. In folk stories he fought giants, returned lands to bewitched princes, enjoyed the protection of le Fay Morgan , king Arthur`s sister. Le Fay Morgan was engaged with Ogier and presented him with eternal youth. According historic data, he might have been the son of Geoffrey Danish and the cousin of Charlemagne (till the present time he is the national hero of the Danes).

Roland, the legendary nephew of Charlemagne, know in Italy under the name of Orlando, was embodied in the jack of diamonds. But then Hector de Marais , one of the knights of the round table and Lancelot`s stepbrother, substituted him. Today we associate this personage with the jack of diamonds. Though Hector`s noble character is not associated with this jack`s bad reputation. Probably, another Hector was its prototype - Hector de Halad, one of the dishonorable officers of Charles VII. This jack is a bad sign when you try to foretell future. On the other hand it is often associated with money and wealth in Tarot cards.

Lack of clubs is Sir Lancelot himself, the leader of the king`s Arthur`s knights and the queen Genevera`s lover. Initially, he was the brightest jack of all. Gradually, the picture changed and the noble knight was deprived of his rich jacket and an arrow, the symbol of the skilled archer. It is hard to recognize the powerful warrior from Malory`s work, who was wounded by huntress`s arrow in haunch, but fought against 30 knights. Nowadays, only a handful of people is interested in suits` biography and historic facts. Modern repeatedly stylized pictures have little in common with real persons. However in France and Germany we still can find the names of kings, queens and jacks included into portraits` decorations. Nevertheless, players are rather indifferent towards the novelties.