King William of Orange
- Artist:
- Type: Print
- Production Date: 1975
- Copy Number: 6
- Edition: 100
- Description: This is one of a series of designs for a pack of Scottish Historical Playing Cards, designed in the mid 1970s. They were commissioned by the Stirling Gallery, owned by Angus Ogilvy, one of the University's first alumni. Each of the character cards in the pack is a figure significant to Scottish history.
William of Orange (1689-1702) is the King of Diamonds in this set (the Queen is Mary, wife of William and the Jack is "Butcher" Cumberland).
The 9 of diamonds is known as the Curse of Scotland because the nine lozenges that formed the arms of the Sir John Dalrymple, the Earl of Stair, who was especially loathed for his connection with the Massacre of Glencoe and the union with England (1707), resemble the 9 of diamonds. It is likely that this is the reason why the diamonds is the suit in this set which contains figures known for oppressing Scotland: William and Mary and Cumberland.
'Dutch William was Protestant, married to Stuart, and quite uninterested in his Northern Kingdom. His servants connived at the massacre of Glen Coe in the name of loyalty to this king.'
Text from the original leaflet produced by the Stirling Gallery. - Digital Copy:A digital copy exists.
- Location: Pathfoot E Corridor
- Related Material: AC/AF/R/10
- Related Material: AC/OF/1975/29
- Accession Number: 1975.29
- Contact: University of Stirling Art Collection
