why is the 9 of diamonds called the curse of scotland?

Answer 1

Have a look at this
http://heritage.scotsman.com/myths.cfm?id=352
I got it from typing "The Curse of Scotland" into Wickapedia.

Answer 2

The nine of diamonds has been known as the Curse of Scotland for a long time, the first record in print being in 1710. The reason for this is not clear, but there have been plenty of explanations put forward over the years.

The most common one comes from the card game 'Pope Joan', where the 9 is called the Pope, the antichrist of Scottish religious reformers.

Pope Joan is played for money so another reason for the curse might come from the variant of the game where the holder of the card pays double, although there is no particular connection with Scotland in this.

Answer 3

The "Curse of Scotland"
From "The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, 5th edition" (American Contract Bridge League):
A term applied to the 9 of diamonds, for which various explanations are given, none completely authoritative. The Bridge Magazine once listed six possible origins for the term as follows:
1.That in the once popular round game 'Pope Joan', the 9 of diamonds was called the Pope, the antichrist of Scottish Reformers.
2.That the 9 of diamonds was the chief card in the game 'cornette', introduced into Scotland by the unhappy Queen Mary.
3.That 'Butcher' Cumberland wrote the orders for the Balle of Culloden, 1746, on the back of the card. This is very doubtful.
4.That the order for the Massacre of Glencoe (1692) was signed on the back of this card.
5.That the dispositions for the fatal field of Flodden (1513) were drawn up on it by James IV of Scotland.
Both these last have only the slightest authority.
6.That it is derived from the nine lozenges that formed the arms of the Earl of Stair, who was especially loathed for his connection with the Massacre of Glencoe and the union with England (1707).

The Curse of Scotland. The nine of diamonds. The phrase seems to be first recorded in the early 18th century, for in Houston's Memoirs (1715-1747), we are told that Lord Justice Clerk Ormistone became universally hated in Scotland, and was called the Curse of Scotland; and when ladies encountered the nine of diamonds at cards they called it Justice Clerk. Among the suggested origin of the phrase are:
1.It may refer to the arms of Dalrymple, Earl of Stair (see (6) above).
2.as in point (2) above
3.as in point (3) above
4.The word 'curse' is a corruption of cross, and the nine of diamonds is so arranged as to form a St. Andrew's Cross; but so are the other nines.
5.as in point (5) above
6.Grose says somewhat inaccurately in his Tour Thro' Scotland (1789); "Diamonds... imply royalty... and every ninth king of Scotland has been observed for many ages to be a tyrant and a curse to the country

Answer 4

The curse of Scotland, also known as the Scourge of Scotland, is a term used in poker, bridge and various other card games for the nine of diamonds.
The exact origins of the term is disputed but several theories exists.

~~ The most common story is that the term arose after the Massacre of Glencoe due to a resemblance in the playing card and Sir John Dalrymple coat of arms.
~~ Another story is that the order for no quarter at the Battle of Culloden written on a nine of diamonds by the Duke of Cumberland.
However, the term was first recorded in 1710, which definitely rules out any connection with Culloden, but does fit a possible connection with Glencoe.

Answer 5

Glencoe left a sour taste in the mouth of many highlanders.

This was made even more bitter by England's betrayal of their Scottish neighbours during the Darien Venture and the outrage at the 1707 Act of Union could only make matters worse. By the time George I succeeded in 1714 relations were at an all time low. Indeed the succession to the crown of England which began Hanovarian rule was the result of an Act of Settlement signed in 1701. A Scottish parliament however had never acceded this act and support was still strong for the Stewart line. Supporters of the Stuart cause were called 'The Jacobites'.

The 18th Century say a tremendous period of unrest in Scotland; Many clans such as the MacGregors found themselves outlawed and their most famous son Rob Roy MacGregor was hunted across the country. A first attempt to forcibly re-establish a Jacobite King in 1715 finally ground to a halt after the Battle of Sherriffmuir. James Francis Edward Stewart, "The Old Pretender" Who would have been James VIII was a melancholy and ineffective leader, the jacobite cause would need a more courageous and inspiring one. The found these qualities in his son Charles Edward Stewart - 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'.

Charles inspired the men of the highlands and impressed the women, he was altogether a more heroic and more dashing figure than his father. During 1744 and 1745 he had been in Paris trying to summon the support for a French armada to invade Britain, this support was never forthcoming so he decided to invade anyway - by himself!

He landed on Eriskay in the Western Isles in 1745 and was politely advised to go home, his reply in typical fashion was 'I am come home'. From there he gathered support from the Highland clans and the Second Jacobite Rebellion (or the "45") began with the raising of the standard at Glenfinnan.

The march to London began and support for the cause from the Highland clans increased with a memorable victory at Prestonpans. As time wore on though, and despite reaching as far south as Derby, The moral in the Jacobite camp was waning. The Highlanders were homesick and tired and many began to return home. Charles was forced to turn back and after defeat at Falkirk the final shattering blow was dealt out on Culloden Moor in 1746.

The aftermath of Culloden was shocking. Reprisals were swift and bloody.

The leader of the Hanovarian troops the 'Butcher' Cumberland gave no quarter to the Jacobites and legend has it that the order for this was written on a playing card - the 9 of diamonds - This card has subsequently been called 'The Curse of Scotland'. Charles was hunted by the government and evaded capture by seeking protection all over Scotland, He eventually fled to Europe to face his own gradual decline.