Page:Explanatory notes of a pack of Cavalier playing cards.djvu/28

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A PACK OF

Bridge, by the army under the King in person, when he again lost all his artillery. He was however, subsequently named Lieutenant of Ireland.—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. ii. p. 179; p. 311; and vol. iii. p. 70).



21. VI of Hearts.

"Worsley an Inckle Weaver A man of personal valor."

Worsley, one of Cromwell's Major-Generals, and a most dear friend of his, was the first M.P. for Manchester, and his statue is in the Town Hall. . . . The incles were tapes; and the word comes into Shakespeare's Winter's Tale. The word is now very little known, except in a proverb, "As thick (i.e. as intimate) as Incle-weavers." I do not see this pack mentioned in the History of Playing Cards. Can the date of publication be proved? It looks as if they were intended to keep up the spirit of the Cavaliers in depressed times.—Communicated by John Bailey, Esq., F.S.A., Manchester.



22. VI of Clubs.

"Desbrow Olivers Champion haueing a cannon in each pocket."

With reference to the proposal in Parliament to elect Cromwell King, Clarendon observes: "That which put an end to the present debate was that some of his own family who had grown up under him, and had their whole dependance upon him, as Desborough, Fleetwood, Whaley, and others, passionately contradicted the motion."—(Clarendons History of the Rebellion, vol. iii., page 339.)



33. VI of Spades.

"Skippon a waggoner to Sr. F. Vere one of Olivers Hectors."

Major-General Skippon was left in charge of the Army by the