Explanatory Notes of a Pack of Cavalier Playing Cards, Temp. Charles II. / Forming a Complete Political Satire of the Commonwealth - Edmund Goldsmid

9. III of Hearts.

"Cromwell pypeth unto Fairfax."

Cromwell is here represented playing the pipe and tabor to Fairfax, who is performing a Morris dance. This dance was brought to England in the reign of Edward III., it is said by John of Gaunt. It was originally a military dance, in which bells were jingled, and swords clashed. The word Morris is a corruption of Moorish. In ancient times it used to be danced by five men and a boy, but in the reign of Elizabeth, we have an instance of Kempe, one of Shakespeare's colleagues at the Globe Theatre, having danced alone all the way from London to Norwich.—(Kemp's nine daies wonder, reprinted in Goldsmid's Collectanea Adamantæa, No. 29). Thomas, Lord Fairfax, warmly espoused the cause of the Parliament when the rupture with the King took place. He was, however, opposed to the execution of the King, and became a warm advocate of the Restoration. He died in 1671.

10. III of Clubs.

"Bulstrod and Whitlock present to Oliver the instrument of Government."

On the 26th of June, 1657, the ceremony of conferring the protectorate on Cromwell took place. "After a short speech, ... Withrington, the Speaker, with the Earl of Warwick and Whitlock. vested him with a rich purple velvet robe lined with ermines; ... then the Speaker presented him with a fair Bible of the largest edition, richly bound; then he, in the name of all the people, girded a sword about him; and lastly, presented him with a sceptre of gold, which he put in his hand, and made him a large discourse of those emblems of government and authority. Upon the close of which, there being little wanting to a perfect formal Coronation but a crown and an Archbishop, he took his oath, administered to him by the Speaker."—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, Vol. III., page 343.) Bulstrode and Whitlock spoken of as two men on the Card, are one and the same. "Bulstrode Whitlocke, ... before the troubles was an intimate friend to Sir Richard Lane, who, going to Oxford, entrusted him with his chambers in the Temple; of which, with all the goods and an excellent library, he hath kept possession ever since; and would not own that ever he knew such a man, when Sir Richard's son was brought to wait upon him in his greatness.... Under Dick he was made Commissioner of the Seal; and, he being discarded, wheeled about and worshipped the Rump.... He hath a good fleece, and heir to Lilly the Astrologer."—(Mystery of the Good Old Cause).

11. III of Spades.

"H. Martin defends Ralph, who design'd to kill the King."

"Henry Martin, colonel of a regiment of horse and a regiment of whores. He had given him £3000 at one time, to put him upon the Holy Sisters, and take off from the Levellers. He had the reputation of a precious saint from his youth, in reference to all kinds of debauchery, uncleanness, and fraud, having sold his estate three times over."—(Mystery of the Good Old Cause).

12. III of Diamonds.

"Simonias sland'ring y^e High Priest to get his place."

One of the riddles I have spoken of in the Introduction, unless it refers to Cromwell having urged the trial of the King.

9. III of Hearts. "Cromwell pypeth unto Fairfax." Cromwell is here represented playing the pipe and tabor to Fairfax, who is performing a Morris dance. This dance was brought to England in the reign of Edward III., it is said by John of Gaunt. It was originally a military dance, in which bells were jingled, and swords clashed. The word Morris is a corruption of Moorish. In ancient times it used to be danced by five men and a boy, but in the reign of Elizabeth, we have an instance of Kempe, one of Shakespeare's colleagues at the Globe Theatre, having danced alone all the way from London to Norwich.—(Kemp's nine daies wonder, reprinted in Goldsmid's Collectanea Adamantæa, No. 29). Thomas, Lord Fairfax, warmly espoused the cause of the Parliament when the rupture with the King took place. He was, however, opposed to the execution of the King, and became a warm advocate of the Restoration. He died in 1671. 10. III of Clubs. "Bulstrod and Whitlock present to Oliver the instrument of Government." On the 26th of June, 1657, the ceremony of conferring the protectorate on Cromwell took place. "After a short speech, ... Withrington, the Speaker, with the Earl of Warwick and Whitlock. vested him with a rich purple velvet robe lined with ermines; ... then the Speaker presented him with a fair Bible of the largest edition, richly bound; then he, in the name of all the people, girded a sword about him; and lastly, presented him with a sceptre of gold, which he put in his hand, and made him a large discourse of those emblems of government and authority. Upon the close of which, there being little wanting to a perfect formal Coronation but a crown and an Archbishop, he took his oath, administered to him by the Speaker."—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, Vol. III., page 343.) Bulstrode and Whitlock spoken of as two men on the Card, are one and the same. "Bulstrode Whitlocke, ... before the troubles was an intimate friend to Sir Richard Lane, who, going to Oxford, entrusted him with his chambers in the Temple; of which, with all the goods and an excellent library, he hath kept possession ever since; and would not own that ever he knew such a man, when Sir Richard's son was brought to wait upon him in his greatness.... Under Dick he was made Commissioner of the Seal; and, he being discarded, wheeled about and worshipped the Rump.... He hath a good fleece, and heir to Lilly the Astrologer."—(Mystery of the Good Old Cause). 11. III of Spades. "H. Martin defends Ralph, who design'd to kill the King." "Henry Martin, colonel of a regiment of horse and a regiment of whores. He had given him £3000 at one time, to put him upon the Holy Sisters, and take off from the Levellers. He had the reputation of a precious saint from his youth, in reference to all kinds of debauchery, uncleanness, and fraud, having sold his estate three times over."—(Mystery of the Good Old Cause). 12. III of Diamonds. "Simonias sland'ring y^e High Priest to get his place." One of the riddles I have spoken of in the Introduction, unless it refers to Cromwell having urged the trial of the King.

13. IV of Hearts.

"The Rump roasted salt it well it stinks exceedingly."

The long parliament, not proving itself sufficiently complacent, Colonel Pride entered the House with two regiments of soldiers, imprisoned 60 members, drove 160 into the streets, and left only 60. These were called the Rump. The name was revived in the Protectorate of Richard Cromwell, and to distinguish the two, the former was called the Bloody Rump, and the latter the Rump of a Rump.

"The few,

Because they're wasted to the stumps,

Are represented best by rumps."

(Butler's Hudibras, Part iii).

14. IV of Clubs.

"A Covenanting Scot and an English Independent differ about y^e things of this world."

"There was a wonderful difference, throughout their whole proceedings, between the heads of those who were thought to sway the Presbyterian Counsels, and those who govern'd the Independents, though they were equally masters of dissimulation, and had equally malice and wickedness in their intentions, though not of the same kind.... The Presbyterians submitted to their senseless and wretched clergy; whose infectious breath corrupted, and govern'd the People, and whose authority was prevalent upon their own wives, and in their domestic affairs in order to corrupt and seduce them ... whereas Cromwell and the Independents ... considered what was necessary to their main end; and then, whether it were right or wrong, made all other means subservient to it; couzen'd and deceiv'd men as long as they could induce them to contribute to what they desired; and when they would keep company with them no longer, compelled them by force to submit to what they should not be able to oppose: and so the one resolv'd, only to do what they believ'd the People would like and approve; and the other, that the People should like and approve what they had resolv'd." (Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii., pp. 63-64).

15. IV of Spades.

"Argyle a muckle Scotch knaue in gude faith Sir."

Archibald Campbell, Marquis of Argyle, a zealous partisan of the Covenanters, and the opponent of Montrose. Born in 1598 he succeeded to his fathers titles in 1638. In the same year he was called to London with other Scotch Nobles, and advised the abolition of Episcopacy in Scotland. In 1641 he was created Marquis. He acquiesced in the Protectorate of Cromwell, and for this at the restoration he was committed to the Tower. In 1661 he was sent to Scotland, tried for high treason and beheaded.

16. IV of Diamonds.

"Laird of Warriston an arrant knaue An my Soul man."

"It was agreed that the committee of safety should consist of three-and-twenty persons, ... men try'd, and faithful to the public interest ... besides three or four others who had been the kings judges, with Warreston, Vane, Steel, and Whitlock."—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii. p. 402).

13. IV of Hearts. "The Rump roasted salt it well it stinks exceedingly." The long parliament, not proving itself sufficiently complacent, Colonel Pride entered the House with two regiments of soldiers, imprisoned 60 members, drove 160 into the streets, and left only 60. These were called the Rump. The name was revived in the Protectorate of Richard Cromwell, and to distinguish the two, the former was called the Bloody Rump, and the latter the Rump of a Rump. "The few, Because they're wasted to the stumps, Are represented best by rumps." (Butler's Hudibras, Part iii). 14. IV of Clubs. "A Covenanting Scot and an English Independent differ about y^e things of this world." "There was a wonderful difference, throughout their whole proceedings, between the heads of those who were thought to sway the Presbyterian Counsels, and those who govern'd the Independents, though they were equally masters of dissimulation, and had equally malice and wickedness in their intentions, though not of the same kind.... The Presbyterians submitted to their senseless and wretched clergy; whose infectious breath corrupted, and govern'd the People, and whose authority was prevalent upon their own wives, and in their domestic affairs in order to corrupt and seduce them ... whereas Cromwell and the Independents ... considered what was necessary to their main end; and then, whether it were right or wrong, made all other means subservient to it; couzen'd and deceiv'd men as long as they could induce them to contribute to what they desired; and when they would keep company with them no longer, compelled them by force to submit to what they should not be able to oppose: and so the one resolv'd, only to do what they believ'd the People would like and approve; and the other, that the People should like and approve what they had resolv'd." (Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii., pp. 63-64). 15. IV of Spades. "Argyle a muckle Scotch knaue in gude faith Sir." Archibald Campbell, Marquis of Argyle, a zealous partisan of the Covenanters, and the opponent of Montrose. Born in 1598 he succeeded to his fathers titles in 1638. In the same year he was called to London with other Scotch Nobles, and advised the abolition of Episcopacy in Scotland. In 1641 he was created Marquis. He acquiesced in the Protectorate of Cromwell, and for this at the restoration he was committed to the Tower. In 1661 he was sent to Scotland, tried for high treason and beheaded. 16. IV of Diamonds. "Laird of Warriston an arrant knaue An my Soul man." "It was agreed that the committee of safety should consist of three-and-twenty persons, ... men try'd, and faithful to the public interest ... besides three or four others who had been the kings judges, with Warreston, Vane, Steel, and Whitlock."—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii. p. 402).

17. V of Hearts.

"The E. of Pem.: in y^e H. of Com. thanks y^e Speaker for his Admission."

On the 29th of January 1643, a letter was addressed by Members of both Houses at Oxford to the Earl of Essex. Clarendon observes "This letter was subscribed by His Highness the Prince, the Duke of York, and three-and-forty Dukes, Marquises, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons, and 118 Members of the House of Commons; ... so that the numbers at London were very thin; for there were not above two-and-twenty peers, who either sat in the Parliament, or were engaged in their party; that is to say, the Earls of Northumberland, Pembroke, Essex, etc."—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. ii. p. 274).

According to Clarendon, vol. ii. pp. 127-128, the Earl of Pembroke was a weak man with a great sense of his own importance, whom disappointed ambition "Got into actual rebellion, which he never intended to do."

18. V of Clubs.

"Sir H. Mildmay beaten by a foot boy, a great breach of privilege."

It is said that in the year 1642, Sir H. Mildmay got mixed up in a brawl in Fleet Street. Whether this Card alludes to that fact or not, I cannot tell. Clarendon states that Sir John Danvers and Sir H. Mildmay were the only two members of the High Court of Justice, whom the King knew besides the officers in the army.—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii, p. 144).

19. V of Spades.

"Nye and Godwin, Oliver's Confessors."

In "an ordinance appointing Commissioners for approbation of Publique Preachers," printed by "William Du Gard and Henry Hills printers to His Highness the Lord Protector" 1653, appear the names of Dr. Thomas Goodwin and Mr. Philip Ny as Commissioners for such approbation. A copy of the pamphlet is in my possession, and it will be reprinted by the Clarendon Historical Society at an early date.

20. V of Diamonds.

"Sir W. Waller looses two armys yet getts by ye bargaine."

Sir William Waller was defeated at the battle of Roundway Down by Lord Wilmot, losing 600 killed, 900 prisoners, all their cannon, arms, ammunition and baggage. He was again defeated at Cropredy 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).

17. V of Hearts. "The E. of Pem.: in y^e H. of Com. thanks y^e Speaker for his Admission." On the 29th of January 1643, a letter was addressed by Members of both Houses at Oxford to the Earl of Essex. Clarendon observes "This letter was subscribed by His Highness the Prince, the Duke of York, and three-and-forty Dukes, Marquises, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons, and 118 Members of the House of Commons; ... so that the numbers at London were very thin; for there were not above two-and-twenty peers, who either sat in the Parliament, or were engaged in their party; that is to say, the Earls of Northumberland, Pembroke, Essex, etc."—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. ii. p. 274). According to Clarendon, vol. ii. pp. 127-128, the Earl of Pembroke was a weak man with a great sense of his own importance, whom disappointed ambition "Got into actual rebellion, which he never intended to do." 18. V of Clubs. "Sir H. Mildmay beaten by a foot boy, a great breach of privilege." It is said that in the year 1642, Sir H. Mildmay got mixed up in a brawl in Fleet Street. Whether this Card alludes to that fact or not, I cannot tell. Clarendon states that Sir John Danvers and Sir H. Mildmay were the only two members of the High Court of Justice, whom the King knew besides the officers in the army.—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii, p. 144). 19. V of Spades. "Nye and Godwin, Oliver's Confessors." In "an ordinance appointing Commissioners for approbation of Publique Preachers," printed by "William Du Gard and Henry Hills printers to His Highness the Lord Protector" 1653, appear the names of Dr. Thomas Goodwin and Mr. Philip Ny as Commissioners for such approbation. A copy of the pamphlet is in my possession, and it will be reprinted by the Clarendon Historical Society at an early date. 20. V of Diamonds. "Sir W. Waller looses two armys yet getts by ye bargaine." Sir William Waller was defeated at the battle of Roundway Down by Lord Wilmot, losing 600 killed, 900 prisoners, all their cannon, arms, ammunition and baggage. He was again defeated at Cropredy 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."—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii., page 339.)

23. VI of Spades.

"Skippon a waggoner to S^r. F. Vere one of Olivers Hectors."

Major-General Skippon was left in charge of the Army by the Earl of Essex, when the latter fled from Fowey to Plymouth. Skippon surrendered all his Artillery, 100 barrels of powder, and about 6000 arms (muskets) on condition that the officers should be convoyed in safety to Poole or Southampton. Skippon was originally a waggoner, as stated in the Card.—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. ii., page 327.)

24. VI of Diamonds.

"Kelsey, a sneeking Bodice maker a gifted Brother."

On October 17th, 1645, a "summons to surrender was sent to the Garrison (of Langford House, near Salisbury) and fair and equal conditions were speedily agreed upon, Lieutenant Colonel Hewson and Major Kelsey being deputed to act for Cromwell."—(Godwin's Civil War in Hampshire, page 248.) This is probably the individual alluded to.

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."—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii., page 339.) 23. VI of Spades. "Skippon a waggoner to S^r. F. Vere one of Olivers Hectors." Major-General Skippon was left in charge of the Army by the Earl of Essex, when the latter fled from Fowey to Plymouth. Skippon surrendered all his Artillery, 100 barrels of powder, and about 6000 arms (muskets) on condition that the officers should be convoyed in safety to Poole or Southampton. Skippon was originally a waggoner, as stated in the Card.—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. ii., page 327.) 24. VI of Diamonds. "Kelsey, a sneeking Bodice maker a gifted Brother." On October 17th, 1645, a "summons to surrender was sent to the Garrison (of Langford House, near Salisbury) and fair and equal conditions were speedily agreed upon, Lieutenant Colonel Hewson and Major Kelsey being deputed to act for Cromwell."—(Godwin's Civil War in Hampshire, page 248.) This is probably the individual alluded to.

25. VII of Hearts.

"Nathaniel Fines whereby hangs a tale."

"Colonel Nathaniel Fiennes, brother of Lord Say and Sele, who had been educated at Winchester College, and had been admitted to a Fellowship at New College, Oxford, in quality of Founder's kin, surrendered Bristol to Prince Rupert on 26 July (1643.) and on the last day of the same month reached Southampton, at the head of 80 horse, each of whom had a woman riding behind him."—(Mercurius Aulicus, August 5th, 1643.) This, I presume, is the tale alluded to.

26. VII of Clubs.

"Harrison the Carpenter cutting down ye horne of ye beast in Daniel."

Harrison was the son of a butcher near Nantwich, in Cheshire, and he it was who, with Ireton, succeeded in bringing the King before the High Court of Justice.—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii., page 141.) Of the beast in Daniel, it is said, "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the Saints ... but the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end."—(Daniel, chap. vii., verses 21 and 26.)

27. VII of Spades.

"Feek the seer."

Feek was one of Cromwell's officers, who at the celebrated meeting at Windsor, in 1648, declared that in a vision the Almighty had appeared to him and announced that Monarchy should never more prevail in England.—(The Saints Triumph, 1648, page 3.)

28. VII of Diamonds.

"Marshall curseing Mevoz."

At Edgehill, "the reverend and renowned Master Marshall, Master Ask, Master Mourton, Masters Obadiah and John Sedgwick and Master Wilkins, and divers others, eminently pious and learned pastors rode up and down the army through the thickest dangers and in much personal hazard most faithfully and courageously exhorting and encouraging the soldiers to fight valiantly and not to fly, but now, if ever, to stand to it and fight for their religion and laws."—(Jehovah Jirah, by John Vicars, p. 200.)

25. VII of Hearts. "Nathaniel Fines whereby hangs a tale." "Colonel Nathaniel Fiennes, brother of Lord Say and Sele, who had been educated at Winchester College, and had been admitted to a Fellowship at New College, Oxford, in quality of Founder's kin, surrendered Bristol to Prince Rupert on 26 July (1643.) and on the last day of the same month reached Southampton, at the head of 80 horse, each of whom had a woman riding behind him."—(Mercurius Aulicus, August 5th, 1643.) This, I presume, is the tale alluded to. 26. VII of Clubs. "Harrison the Carpenter cutting down ye horne of ye beast in Daniel." Harrison was the son of a butcher near Nantwich, in Cheshire, and he it was who, with Ireton, succeeded in bringing the King before the High Court of Justice.—(Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. iii., page 141.) Of the beast in Daniel, it is said, "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the Saints ... but the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end."—(Daniel, chap. vii., verses 21 and 26.) 27. VII of Spades. "Feek the seer." Feek was one of Cromwell's officers, who at the celebrated meeting at Windsor, in 1648, declared that in a vision the Almighty had appeared to him and announced that Monarchy should never more prevail in England.—(The Saints Triumph, 1648, page 3.) 28. VII of Diamonds. "Marshall curseing Mevoz." At Edgehill, "the reverend and renowned Master Marshall, Master Ask, Master Mourton, Masters Obadiah and John Sedgwick and Master Wilkins, and divers others, eminently pious and learned pastors rode up and down the army through the thickest dangers and in much personal hazard most faithfully and courageously exhorting and encouraging the soldiers to fight valiantly and not to fly, but now, if ever, to stand to it and fight for their religion and laws."—(Jehovah Jirah, by John Vicars, p. 200.)