Our family, ages 10-55, really enjoyed learning (and teaching) the old card game of Mawe last year.  Mawe is reported to have been King James’ favorite card game, while Piquet was Queen Elizabeth’s.  We found Piquet too hard to learn (it was hard enough that everyone lost interest in trying), but Mawe went over with flying colors.

… Or maybe it was the $20 pot of quarters I threw in for fun :-)

Anyway, there are no records saying that a deck of cards made it across on the Mayflower, but even if not it would have only been a matter of time before playing cards arrived in New England.  They were cheap, highly portable, and a widely popular pastime among all the classes throughout Europe.

A reproduction 1567 French deck – a design likely still in use by 1620/21 – can be purchased through Macgregor Historic Games and Celtic Art for about $8 including shipping.

Instructions for the game of Mawe, along with other card and board games are found in our historical Thanksgiving guide.

Tags: activities for thanksgiving, ideas thanksgiving, things to do for thanksgiving, family thanksgiving ideas, thanksgiving for family, family thanksgiving games, activities for kids thanksgiving

Playing cards in this time period were hand painted, non-mirrored (you had to hold them upright), and blank on the backsides

Playing cards in this time period were hand painted, non-mirrored (you had to hold them upright), and blank on the backsides

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Posted September 3, 2009 by Admin under Activities

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