THE QUEEN OF HEARTS

         The original rhyme

The Queen of Hearts

She made some tarts,

    All on a summer's day;

The Knave of Hearts

He stole those tarts,

    And took them clean away.

The King of Hearts

Called for the tarts,

    And beat the knave full sore;

The Knave of Hearts

Brought back the tarts,

    And vowed he'd steal no more.

 Please note: Legends are historical stories within the category of folklore in which the "facts" are not verified. Some might be true, other facts might not. 
 



In The Real Personnages of Mother Goose, it is claimed that the poem is based on Elizabeth of Bohemia who was the Queen Consort during the 13th century. There was a lot of turmoil during her life, with the throne "stolen" back and forth continuously.

 It is also claimed that the rhyme is based on the playing cards.

The "Queen of Hearts"  was published in 1742 by an anonymous author and  included lesser known stanzas,"The King of Spades," The King of Clubs," and the "Diamond King."  It does not mean that the poem originated at that time.

Lewis Carroll in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (published in 1865) has a chapter based on the poem.