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

"Explanatory Notes of a Pack of Cavalier Playing Cards, Temp. Charles II." by Edmund Goldsmid is a late 19th-century work that unpacks a deck of playing cards as a sharp and funny commentary on a pivotal time in English history. The author shines a light on the cards' illustrations, which cleverly mock the important people and happenings during the time of Oliver Cromwell's rule and the return of Charles II to the throne. Each card gets its own explanation, filled with historical background that exposes the hidden jokes and political jabs aimed at figures like Cromwell and other leaders. By sharing the meaning behind these cards, Goldsmid tells a story of battles, double-crosses, and changing loyalties, giving readers a peek into the wild world of British politics long ago.