Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1895 — A King’s Plaything. [ARTICLE]

A King’s Plaything.

Playing cards were Introduced Into Europe by a crusader about 1300 to amuse Charles IV., king of France, who had fallen Into a gloomy state of mind bordering on madness. The hearts were originally called Caesars, and were designated to represent the ecclesiastics.