Courts on playing cards

Important note: I believe the images shown here are in the public domain (because playing cards have been around for so long, even in their present form…), so you're free to copy them and use them to whatever purpose you see fit. At least as far as I'm concerned, you're welcome to. However, do not link to the images directly on this server: rather, make your own copy of the file and upload it where you will. I'm saying this because I'm really annoyed with all the people linking to these images on this server from their MySpace profile, avatars on various webforums, etc.

Kings

Spades

[King of spades (English form)][King of spades (French form)]

Called “David” on the French deck, probably after the biblical character. He holds a scepter in one hand, and a harp is visible below it (confirming the biblical attribution). He faces forward, a little to the left. On the English deck, he holds a sword. He faces forward, a little to the right.

Hearts

[King of hearts (English form)][King of hearts (French form)]

Called “Charles” on the French deck, probably after Charles the Great (Charlemagne) — or perhaps after French king Charles VII. He holds a sword. He faces forward, a little to the right. On the English deck, he also holds a sword (above his head), and both his hands are visible. Unlike the other kings, he does not have a mustache. He faces forward, a little to the left.

Diamonds

[King of diamonds (English form)][King of diamonds (French form)]

Called “César” on the French deck, probably after Julius Cæsar. He has no distinguishing attribute, and no visible hands. He faces right, and is seen in profile. On the English deck, he has an axe behind him, and one hand sticking in front of him. He faces left, and is seen in profile.

Clubs

[King of clubs (English form)][King of clubs (French form)]

Called “Alexandre” on the French deck, probably after Alexander the Great. He holds a scepter in one hand, with a shield (?) just below it. He faces forward, a little to the right. On the English deck, he holds a sword in his hand, with an imperial orb just beside it (seemingly floating in air). He faces forward, a little to the left.

Queens

Spades

[Queen of spades (English form)][Queen of spades (French form)]

Called “Pallas” on the French deck, possibly after the Greek goddess Athena. She faces left, and is seen in profile. On the English deck, she is the only queen with a scepter. She faces forward, a little to the right.

Hearts

[Queen of hearts (English form)][Queen of hearts (French form)]

Called “Judith” on the French deck, probably after the biblical character (or perhaps after Judith of Bavaria). She faces forward, a little to the left. On the English deck, she also faces forward, a little to the left (she is not reversed with respect to the French deck).

Diamonds

[Queen of diamonds (English form)][Queen of diamonds (French form)]

Called “Rachel” on the French deck, possibly after the biblical character. She faces forward, a little to the right. On the English deck, she faces forward, a little to the left.

Clubs

[Queen of clubs (English form)][Queen of clubs (French form)]

Called “Argine” on the French deck, an anagram of latin “regina” (“queen”); some have suggested that the name may (also) be related to the Greek Argos. She is the only queen not holding a flower. She faces forward, a little to the right. On the English deck, she does hold a flower like the other queens. She faces forward, a little to the left.

Jacks (knaves)

Spades

[Jack of spades (English form)][Jack of spades (French form)]

Called “Hogier” on the French deck: origin is uncertain, but perhaps after Ogier the Dane from the Song of Rolland. He has a feather in his hat. He faces forward, a little to the right. On the English deck, he holds an unidentifiable object (initially a spear). He has a mustache. He faces right, and is seen in profile.

Hearts

[Jack of hearts (English form)][Jack of hearts (French form)]

Called “Lahire” on the French deck: origin is uncertain, but may refer to Étienne “La Hire” de Vignolles, companion of arms to Joan of Arc. He faces forward, a little to the left, and his face is a little slanted to the left. On the English deck, he also holds a leaf, and has an axe behind his head. He has a mustache. He faces left, and is seen in profile.

Diamonds

[Jack of diamonds (English form)][Jack of diamonds (French form)]

Called “Hector” on the French deck, possibly not after the Trojan hero, but perhaps after a companion (brother?) of Lancelot. He faces right, and is seen in profile. On the English deck, he holds a sword. He faces forward, a little to the left.

Clubs

[Jack of clubs (English form)][Jack of clubs (French form)]

Called “Lancelot” on the French deck, probably after the Arthurian hero. He holds a shield (?) attached to a string. He faces forward, a little to the left. On the English deck, he holds an unreadable object (originally an arrow). There is a feather sticking from his hat. He faces forward, a little to the right.