With their images of princely hunts, opulent costumes, and a cast of characters ranging from royals to commoners, each of the playing cards in this engaging volume is a unique work of art that reflects a period of tumultuous social, artistic, economic, and religious change. The only study of its kind in English, this book features the most important luxury decks of hand-painted European playing cards to have survived from the late Middle Ages, plus a selection of exceptional hand-colored woodblock cards, engraved cards, and tarot packs. Each of these cards has a fascinating story to tell; collectively, they conjure up the courtly culture and customs of the day, and chart the transition from late medieval to early modern Europe.