Pierre Marechal, Rouen, c.1567 fter the development of the
printing industry at the end of the 15th century, Rouen became
an important centre for card-making whose influence extended far
afield. The cards of Rouen are significant because many were
produced for export to Britain and they became the model from
which our English pack subsequently evolved. An archaic pack of
cards made by Pierre Marechal c.1567 preserved in the museum at
Rouen represents the model from which our English pack
subsequently evolved. When England banned the importation of
cards in 1628, English printers used Rouen court cards as
inspiration for their own packs. The style of the costumes on
English playing cards is late medieval, being descended from the
Rouen models. Above: facsimile based on playing cards by Pierre
Marechal of Rouen, c.1567 which are the ancestors of the English
pattern. The original Jacks of Hearts and Diamonds were missing
but have been replaced with two similar cards also from Rouen.
Published by Rose & Pentagram