Merchandise: Konig Arthur playing cards
Tuesday, 1 January 1974 12:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
arthur_of_the_britonsThis set of playing cards was produced in Germany in 1974.
The game to be played with these cards is the one known in the UK as "Happy Families."
On the whole, the stories recounted on the cards do not bear much resemblance to those in the TV series!
A: The False Monk
"I'm Rolf the Preacher," an itinerant monk begins his speech to Arthur. “Forge your swords into plough-shares! Only a life without violence brings you peace. "
Arthur seems to believe Rolf, but says: "Tell that to my men!"
Rolf, who calls himself “The Preacher”, has brought a suckling pig into the village, to ingratiate himself with Arthur's people. While the pig is roasted, Arthur's warriors listen to the new message of peace.
Mark of Cornwall, and Kai, Arthur’s blood-brother, arrive in the village. Kai exclaims: I know this monk’s face! But yesterday, the fellow wasn’t wearing a cowl, but a genuine sword!"
Kai unmasks the fake monk: "Now I know who you are! Yesterday, you and your cronies attacked Yorklane Village. You drove our friend’s cattle into the forest. You are none other than Rolf the Plunderer!"
B: The New Swineherd
Mark calls the false monk over. "Hey, Brother of the Cross. We hang cattle thieves around here! But I'll give you a chance. Our people like a bit of variety in the camp. Entertain us with a little dance – if you value your life.”
Rolf the Plunderer danced for his life in front of the women and men of the camp.
"Go on, my good man!" Mark cheered him. "Jump yourself nice and warm, because next I challenge you to a little fight!"
Mark of Cornwall makes the unmasked rustler Rolf fight a duel with him. "You don’t deserve a weapon. Take this cudgel and defend yourself. I’ll give you no quarter!"
Rolf has no chance in a fight against Mark, who is strong as a bear. Arthur brings the undignified spectacle to an end: "For us, mercy comes is more important than the law. We will take you with us; from now on, you can look after our pigs!"
C: A Dangerous Plan
One time, Arthur’s foster-father, Llud, and his blood-brother Kai are taken prisoner by the Saxons. Arthur wants to free his sword-brothers. He discusses his cunning plan with Mark of Cornwall.
Arthur and his men dressed up as Saxons. On a captured Saxon boat, they rowed brazenly into the territory of their Saxon mortal enemies. Only volunteers take part in Arthur’s daring raid.
Suddenly a horde of Saxon warriors in full battle armour assembles on the shore. Arthur had expected as much. He calls out the watchword of the enemy tribe. Under the suspicious gaze, the false Saxon ship is allowed through.
On the first night in the Saxon prince Cerdig’s territory, Arthur takes the watch himself. He lets his followers sleep late, because the new day will bring the decisive battle for the liberation of his friends.
D: A Successful Ruse
Dressed as Saxons, and apparently unarmed, Arthur and Mark penetrate the innermost defences of the Saxon camp. Quick as a flash Arthur, pulls out a slingshot, and takes the baffled Saxons completely by surprise.
Mark, himself the son of a Saxon father, feels invincible wielding the axe of his opponents. After only a short time watching the enemy village, Arthur and Mark act quickly and decisively.
The Saxons still suspect nothing . Arthur and Mark find the imprisoned Kai, and cut his bonds. Kai throws himself on the second-best horse and dashes out of the village before the Saxons realise what’s going on.
Llud also gets free, and pushes forward to their agreed meeting place by the river, where his friends are waiting with the boat. Now the Britons row for their lives. They must make the most of their lead before the Saxons catch up.
E: The Struggle in the Boat
The friends take turns with the oars. But soon the first Saxons appear. The warriors plunge into the water to attack the boat. The fleeing Britons take a stand for a life and death battle.
The boat quickly becomes a battlefield. Mark of Cornwall feels at home in the hand-to-hand scuffle. During his tempestuous clear-out, the Saxons learn to fly.
Danger to Mark! An opponent comes up behind him in a surprise attack, while this big strong man is still fighting with two other Saxons to the rocking boat.
This time is the Arthur who comes to the aid of his hard-pressed brother-in-arms. He hurls the last Saxons into the cold water. Now the British have won a free ride home. The friends are free!
F: Human Trafficking
Rowena’s wily father, Yorath, hatches an unchivalrous plan. He wants to get rid of his captive Saxon women, and make as profit at the same time.
Yorath lets a travelling Greek trader through, and agrees to exchange the Saxon prisoners for wine. But a girl who has overheard the plan, tells Rowena about the scandalous slave-trading.
Rowena is outraged about her father’s plan, and rides immediately to Arthur, to ask him to help the prisoners. Arthur promises to act – even against Yorath, with whom he has a peace treaty.
At daybreak, Arthur and his companions break into the hut in Yorath’s village, where the Saxon women are held captive. In wild flight, they reach Arthur's camp.
G: The Reconciliation
Yorath heard about his daughter’s treachery, and swore revenge on Arthur, the breaker of treaties. He rode in haste at the head of his armed men to Arthur's camp.
Arthur and his friends are prepared for Yorath’s arrival. But Arthur does not want an internecine war with Yorath. He asks him to put away his sword, and negotiate.
Yorath reluctantly gives in to Arthur's proposal. But he doesn’t want to break his word to the Greek trader – and he especially doesn’t want to have to do without the prestigious wine.
Arthur manages a reconciliation with Yorath by a fair offer: Yorath gets his wine, but the Greek trader will get twelve horses from Arthur's village in exchange. The Saxon women will be allowed to remain in the camp.
H: The Courtship
Arthur asks Yorath for the hand of his daughter, Rowena. Yorath is not averse to consolidating the alliance of the two tribes. But there is a condition.
The old fox, Yorath, has not forgotten the defeat Arthur inflicted on him over the Saxon prisoners. He demands a duel between Arthur and Mark of Cornwall for Rowena’s hand.
Arthur accepts the challenge against the physically stronger Mark. In a test of strength, he would be at a disadvantage, but in a swordfight he can use his speed to beat Mark.
Though Arthur wins the battle against Mark, he shows mercy to his opponent, and makes friends with him. But he leads Rowena home to his followers, as his lucky bride.
The game to be played with these cards is the one known in the UK as "Happy Families."
On the whole, the stories recounted on the cards do not bear much resemblance to those in the TV series!
A: The False Monk
"I'm Rolf the Preacher," an itinerant monk begins his speech to Arthur. “Forge your swords into plough-shares! Only a life without violence brings you peace. "
Arthur seems to believe Rolf, but says: "Tell that to my men!"
Rolf, who calls himself “The Preacher”, has brought a suckling pig into the village, to ingratiate himself with Arthur's people. While the pig is roasted, Arthur's warriors listen to the new message of peace.
Mark of Cornwall, and Kai, Arthur’s blood-brother, arrive in the village. Kai exclaims: I know this monk’s face! But yesterday, the fellow wasn’t wearing a cowl, but a genuine sword!"
Kai unmasks the fake monk: "Now I know who you are! Yesterday, you and your cronies attacked Yorklane Village. You drove our friend’s cattle into the forest. You are none other than Rolf the Plunderer!"
B: The New Swineherd
Mark calls the false monk over. "Hey, Brother of the Cross. We hang cattle thieves around here! But I'll give you a chance. Our people like a bit of variety in the camp. Entertain us with a little dance – if you value your life.”
Rolf the Plunderer danced for his life in front of the women and men of the camp.
"Go on, my good man!" Mark cheered him. "Jump yourself nice and warm, because next I challenge you to a little fight!"
Mark of Cornwall makes the unmasked rustler Rolf fight a duel with him. "You don’t deserve a weapon. Take this cudgel and defend yourself. I’ll give you no quarter!"
Rolf has no chance in a fight against Mark, who is strong as a bear. Arthur brings the undignified spectacle to an end: "For us, mercy comes is more important than the law. We will take you with us; from now on, you can look after our pigs!"
C: A Dangerous Plan
One time, Arthur’s foster-father, Llud, and his blood-brother Kai are taken prisoner by the Saxons. Arthur wants to free his sword-brothers. He discusses his cunning plan with Mark of Cornwall.
Arthur and his men dressed up as Saxons. On a captured Saxon boat, they rowed brazenly into the territory of their Saxon mortal enemies. Only volunteers take part in Arthur’s daring raid.
Suddenly a horde of Saxon warriors in full battle armour assembles on the shore. Arthur had expected as much. He calls out the watchword of the enemy tribe. Under the suspicious gaze, the false Saxon ship is allowed through.
On the first night in the Saxon prince Cerdig’s territory, Arthur takes the watch himself. He lets his followers sleep late, because the new day will bring the decisive battle for the liberation of his friends.
D: A Successful Ruse
Dressed as Saxons, and apparently unarmed, Arthur and Mark penetrate the innermost defences of the Saxon camp. Quick as a flash Arthur, pulls out a slingshot, and takes the baffled Saxons completely by surprise.
Mark, himself the son of a Saxon father, feels invincible wielding the axe of his opponents. After only a short time watching the enemy village, Arthur and Mark act quickly and decisively.
The Saxons still suspect nothing . Arthur and Mark find the imprisoned Kai, and cut his bonds. Kai throws himself on the second-best horse and dashes out of the village before the Saxons realise what’s going on.
Llud also gets free, and pushes forward to their agreed meeting place by the river, where his friends are waiting with the boat. Now the Britons row for their lives. They must make the most of their lead before the Saxons catch up.
E: The Struggle in the Boat
The friends take turns with the oars. But soon the first Saxons appear. The warriors plunge into the water to attack the boat. The fleeing Britons take a stand for a life and death battle.
The boat quickly becomes a battlefield. Mark of Cornwall feels at home in the hand-to-hand scuffle. During his tempestuous clear-out, the Saxons learn to fly.
Danger to Mark! An opponent comes up behind him in a surprise attack, while this big strong man is still fighting with two other Saxons to the rocking boat.
This time is the Arthur who comes to the aid of his hard-pressed brother-in-arms. He hurls the last Saxons into the cold water. Now the British have won a free ride home. The friends are free!
F: Human Trafficking
Rowena’s wily father, Yorath, hatches an unchivalrous plan. He wants to get rid of his captive Saxon women, and make as profit at the same time.
Yorath lets a travelling Greek trader through, and agrees to exchange the Saxon prisoners for wine. But a girl who has overheard the plan, tells Rowena about the scandalous slave-trading.
Rowena is outraged about her father’s plan, and rides immediately to Arthur, to ask him to help the prisoners. Arthur promises to act – even against Yorath, with whom he has a peace treaty.
At daybreak, Arthur and his companions break into the hut in Yorath’s village, where the Saxon women are held captive. In wild flight, they reach Arthur's camp.
G: The Reconciliation
Yorath heard about his daughter’s treachery, and swore revenge on Arthur, the breaker of treaties. He rode in haste at the head of his armed men to Arthur's camp.
Arthur and his friends are prepared for Yorath’s arrival. But Arthur does not want an internecine war with Yorath. He asks him to put away his sword, and negotiate.
Yorath reluctantly gives in to Arthur's proposal. But he doesn’t want to break his word to the Greek trader – and he especially doesn’t want to have to do without the prestigious wine.
Arthur manages a reconciliation with Yorath by a fair offer: Yorath gets his wine, but the Greek trader will get twelve horses from Arthur's village in exchange. The Saxon women will be allowed to remain in the camp.
H: The Courtship
Arthur asks Yorath for the hand of his daughter, Rowena. Yorath is not averse to consolidating the alliance of the two tribes. But there is a condition.
The old fox, Yorath, has not forgotten the defeat Arthur inflicted on him over the Saxon prisoners. He demands a duel between Arthur and Mark of Cornwall for Rowena’s hand.
Arthur accepts the challenge against the physically stronger Mark. In a test of strength, he would be at a disadvantage, but in a swordfight he can use his speed to beat Mark.
Though Arthur wins the battle against Mark, he shows mercy to his opponent, and makes friends with him. But he leads Rowena home to his followers, as his lucky bride.