In 1660 Charles II became king of England, after years of austerity under a Commonwealth government which had condemned unproductive forms of enjoyment, such as playing at cards. But it was not until 1679 that a pictorial pack of playing cards was published which satirised the personalities and events of Commonwealth rule. This is a facsimile of that pack.
The illustrations on the cards offer a rare visual impression of the times. The satirical element involves presenting the personalities in various unfamiliar occupations and costumes, and we see not only the military warring factions, but the humbler souls of town and countryside in traditional dress, the waggoners, shepherds, corset-makers, carpenters and so on.
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