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This French engraving may very well be the first documentation of the game. In 1697, Anne de Rohan-Chabot and Princess Soubise were portrayed as playing cards. On the other hand, many others give credence to this history, believing that a French Aristocrat did indeed invent the card game Solitaire.Īnother theory posits that Pelisson, a French mathematician, invented Solitaire game to entertain the Sun King, the nickname of Louis XIV. However, several scholars have punctured holes in this story, describing it as inconsistent. Going deeper, historians have noted that this period witnessed the rule of the notorious King Louis XIV, who had a penchant for imprisoning nobles, especially those who were not his relations. Despite the challenge of discovering Solitaire’s origins, many theories have been put forward.Īccording to one theory, Solitaire is the brainchild of a French aristocrat who was condemned to prison in the 17th century. The game started a very long time ago, which is one reason why it is difficult to pinpoint who invented the solitaire card game. But nobody knows when was the card game solitaire invented… Who Invented the Card Game Solitaireįor years, efforts to successfully trace the game Solitaire to a definite origin have proved unsuccessful. Additionally, there are strong indications that Solitaire enjoys a French influence. “Patiencespiel” first appeared in a German book, Das Neue Königliche L’Hombre Spiel, which was published in 1788. Solitaire has no definitive date of invention, but its record can be traced to the 1700s across Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Solitaire has remained popular, but when was it invented? When Was Solitaire Invented or How old is Solitaire? The game’s long history is a true testament to its endurance.įrom the 20th century onward, informative content on the game has appeared in novels and movies. Cadogan’s book led to a surge in more books on card Solitaire, and this influence continues even today. The latter happened to be the son of Queen Victoria. The first rules were written by Lady Adelaide Cadogan, a skilled writer for Prince Leopard and the Duke of Albany. The rules of Solitaire of course also deserve mention in a survey of the game’s history. As a result of this demand, new variations of Solitaire sprung up, including the clock, the spider, the Empress of India, and the Queen of Italy. When one does the same thing repeatedly, there is a greater chance of becoming bored, and people soon got tired of playing the same cards every day. However, with the advent of industries and white-collar jobs, people experienced more time alone than before. Before this major disruption, many people had taken to farming, and they would fraternize with each other regularly. Research has shown that the first mention of the game was in an English letter written by Countess Granville in 1822.īelieve it or not, there’s more to the history of Solitaire, in which the industrial revolution played a major role. The word “cabale” is closely linked to “cabal,” which implies a mystical interpretation of the Old Testament.Īround the same time as Solitaire, a game called “Patience” was growing in popularity in the United Kingdom. The game was christened “Cabale” in Scandinavian countries. It was at this point that Solitaire found its way into the hearts of many. Likewise, tarot card reading was the order of the day. Towards the end of the 18th century, cartomancy (a term used to describe divination by cards) became popular. But experts posit that this was a reference to Peg Solitaire. The game Solitaire was first mentioned in 1746. Read on to become familiarized with the historical context of this beloved game. But many are probably not aware of Solitaire’s long history.
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For generations, countless individuals have played Solitaire, and many times at that, mastering the art of flipping and arranging decks of cards in sequential order.
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