Exeter Flying Post, Barnstaple wrestling: Prince Regent’s Birthday — Hogg first prize (1816)

The Prince Regent’s Birth-Day.—Every thing that could contribute to the cheerfulness and enjoyment of a public festival was experienced at Barnstaple on Monday last. It being the anniversary of the Regent’s birth-day, the morning was ushered in by a well-rung peal on the church bells; and in a field adjoining the town a Grand Wrestling Match commenced at ten o’clock; more than thirty acknowledged players immediately entered their names. The prizes were five guineas, three guineas, two, and one. Before twelve o’clock several falls had been given, and from that hour to the close of the day there was no cessation of the sports. It was repeatedly acknowledged that there never had been witnessed so satisfactory an exhibition of ability and science.

The standards were played out the next morning, and the prizes awarded to Hogg, Tamlyn, Lewis, and Slowley, amidst the cheers and acclamations of an assemblage of spectators, amounting to at least eight thousand. Prior to the conclusion of the standards’ play, a subscription purse was announced: This also afforded most excellent competition: the champion Flower, who had been held out by Tamlyn on Monday, obtained the best prize of the subscription purse, and every other player of merit was satisfactorily recompensed. Thus terminated, without the least accident, and to the entire approbation of every one, the Grand Wrestling Match at Barnstaple, and which, as it has proved the first in the North of Devon, may justly be termed the commencement of a new era in the annals of athletic prowess. The whole was under the direction of a committee. Refreshments were amply provided, and a spacious booth, with appropriate decorations, erected at the head of a seated ring, which extended over very nearly two acres of the field. The fête terminated with a rustic dance, accompanied by pandean pipes, clarionets, and tambourines, and the company parted at an early hour on Wednesday morning, in the highest good humour.