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Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question from Emily - Elizabeth of York = Queen of Hearts?

Hello! A very strange question.... I am getting a tattoo of the Queen of Hearts flower that she holds in her hand, and while researching the symbols of playing cards, I learned that the Queen of Hearts was believed by some to be Elizabeth of York. Is there any proof of this? If so, I would assume the flower is the Tudor flower in the crest, which does bear a resembalance to the flower on the card... Just thought I'd ask!
Thanks,
Emily

2 comments:

  1. I was researching this exact question last year while I was working on the FAQ for this site, but I haven't been able to find anything which would count as "proof". But, on the other hand, I also haven't found anything that would discount it either.

    Not a very satisfactory answer, I'm afraid. Maybe someone else has some good sources?

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  2. There is no strong proof that it represents Elizabeth of York, but the traditional portrait of the queen of hearts does show a woman remarkably similar to the c.1500 portrait of Elizabeth in her red dress clutching a white rose. Anne Boleyn has been suggested as a candidate for the queen of spades, but it's deeply unlikely given the fashion. Katherine of Aragon's headdresses were also slightly different to the fashions favoured during her mother-in-law's time, but it's those late 15th century headdresses which are shown in the playing cards suggesting that it Elizabeth of York did in some way inspire the playing card queens.

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