It’s In The Cards-
Using playing cards to represent
Medieval Class Structure
One individual’s interpretation
DisclaimerThis is only a theoryAny resemblance to the truth is only by luck
Information received today should be viewed as
the ravings of a individual with far too much time
on his hands
I repeat, this is only a theory
Rank the suites from highest to lowest
Spades
Diamonds
Hearts
Clubs
Spades- Nobility
Hearts- Church
Diamonds- Merchants
Clubs- Peasants
King of Spades
Sword- symbol of power and
authority
Power was kept by military
force
Money was needed for army
and weapons
Nobility had standing armies
to protect land
Feudalisma political and economic way of governing land
Fiefland which has been given by a lord to his vassalin return for the land, the vassal owes the lordmilitary service, respect, payment in kind
ceremony was approved and bless by the church
Subinfeudationdividing a fief which allows a vassal to become
a lord to someone else- “landlord”
landlord was given military service, respect,
payment
Nobility- 5% of the population
Church included
Higher vassals
Lesser vassals
might include lesser sons
Peasants- 95 %
bound to the land
One king - a vassal to another king
That king would still owemilitary service,
respect,
payment in kind
King of England
vassal to FranceNormandy, France
Military service called for 90 service only
“Divine Right of Kings”
Who died and left you king?
Believed God picked this family
Father to son
Contract - king and people
Right to Rebellion
contract broken
King of HeartsSword shown, but not usedpower to punish
Hand over the heartchurch’s power to forgive
“Maya Culpa”-
King of DiamondsHands free- merchants need
hands to work
Economic power
Financed nobility
bigger role and voice in
government
King of Clubs
Orb- ancient symbol of the
earth
Peasants were ‘bound’ to the
earth for life
Sword- peasants made up the
bulk of the fighting force
The QueensFlower- symbol of womanhood and birth
The ‘life’ of nobility runs through the queen
Jack of Spades“Divine Right of Kings”
family chosen by God
Symbol of Infinity
Jack of HeartsRole as teacher
Quill
copied the Bible by hand
Dove’s featherPeace and Love
Jack of DiamondsNo sword but a weapon
Apprentice to their father
I’m stretching on this one !!
Jack of Clubs
Back turned to nobilityEvery face card- but the Jack
faces nobility
Sign of respect
acknowledging power and
role of the nobility
AssignmentObjective-AF7c2- Analyzes the organizational structure of an existing
art form for the purpose of creating an original interpretive piece.
Each of you will create four playing cards, each with their own suit.
You will design your cards to have different rank
just as we showed today.
Symbols, objects and the like will also be included and explained to
me in written form
Be sure to tie in the objects to the origin of the card which are shown.
Due date- 3-17-05
This is the Thursday before Spring Vacation. If
you know that you will not be here, you are to
get the cards to me before you leave.
Be creative, original, and remember that you
are limited only by your lack of imagination