X.—A Notice of the Ludus Triumphorum and some Early Italian Card Games; with some Remarks on the Origin of the Game of Cards | Archaeologia | Cambridge Core (original) (raw)

Extract

The earliest mention of cards occurs in 1377, and their history during the next century is obscure. Card playing seems to have become a popular vice very soon, since it is said to have been prohibited by the Synod of Langres in 1404. In 1423 cards equally with dice were the object of a celebrated sermon by St. Bernardin of Sienna at Bologna. The saint attributes the invention of games of chance to the devil, and gives a list of games of chance, most of which were played with dice and a backgammon board.

Type

Research Article

References

page 187 note a These two paragraphs seem to have been notes to be expanded by the preacher.

page 189 note a B.M. Eg. 2419, and Vienna, CCCXXII. Denis.