Armstrong, Wrestling: All England series (1892)
Armstrong’s work reprints the work on Cornish and Devonshire Wrestling from Donald Walker’s Defensive Exercises (1840). We have provided the example here for comparison:
CHAPTER II
CORNISH AND DEVONSHIRE STYLES.
UNLIKE the friendly rivalry which animates the genial race of giants who hail from Cumberland and Westmorland, a deadly feud has from time immemorial existed between the counties of Cornwall and Devon. In the former county, where this antagonistic feeling runs particularly high, a north-country wrestler has been known to be welcomed with open arms; whereas, among the rural population in the wrestling districts, a Devonian has often been received with a shower of brickbats. Whether their kicking propensities have or have not influenced and inflamed this hostility has never been thoroughly established. As kicking, however, was never fashionable in Cornwall, the fact of a Cornishman in an encounter with a Devonian occasionally having a considerable area of skin sliced from his shins by a pair of formidable shoes, made of hard baked leather, supplemented by a piece of sheet iron, may have something to do with the inveterate quarrel between the wrestlers of the two counties. The principal difference in their methods of wrestling was that, in former times, kicking was practised in Devon, but not in Cornwall. The Cornishmen, however, when they ventured into the enemy’s territory, were found to be not (p. 19) much behind their rivals in the use of the boot, while their science has been considered superior to that of the Devonians. The two styles have now, however, been amalgamated, and the only dissimilarity that exists consists in the different system of going to work observable in wrestlers hailing from the different counties. Hugging and heaving were always the Cornishmen’s characteristics ; whereas, the men of Devon, as has been observed before, relied more on their expertness in kicking and a dexterous use of the jacket, which is worn only for the purpose of wrestling.
THE COSTUME. The west-country wrestlers, as they are called, do. not adorn themselves in such picturesque costumes as the northern men, who are distinguished for their handsome- fitting tights, Certainly, at the present day, they take their shoes off, but rarely their trousers, which they tuck up, and, after stripping to the shirt, the jacket is donned. This is made of strong linen, and hangs on the wearer very loosely, as far down as his hips, and is tied at the front by two strings. The sleeves are also made loose, for the convenience of both parties in catching hold. There is a regulation length for (p. 20) the strings, which are the same in all jackets, and in order to secure the garments being as open as possible, the strings are tied at the extreme ends, as this prevents the opponent taking that firm hold which he would inevitably obtain if the jacket were tighter. Instead of writing down the names and drawing them together, as in Cumberland and Westmorland, the men who intend to compete challenge each other by throwing a hat into the ring, which is answered in the same manner.
POSITION. The position before taking hold is not a very graceful one. With the feet wide apart, the knees slightly bent, the hands are held in front, and a sharp look-out is kept on the ad- versary, so as to find an opening for a hold. Soon the men, however, assume a stooping attitude, and endeavour to grasp each other by the jackets. This is often a very tiresome business ; but when they once get into hold the throw is soon over. As two shoulders and one hip on the ground constitute a fall, or two hips and one shoulder, or in a “four point” match two shoulders and two hips, it frequently happens that a “no fall” is the verdict. A man must be thrown fairly on his back on all the required “points” before any other portion of his body touches the ground ere the fall is gained. Ground wrestling, as in Lancashire, is forbidden, consequently a man (p.21) must be thrown very decisively for the verdict to go against him, and an expert wrestler, when he feels himself going, adroitly makes for the ground face downwards, so that his opponent shall have no opportunity of landing him on his back. ‘The wrestlers are at liberty to alter their hold as often as they please ; but the hold is subject to certain restrictions. No competitor is allowed to take hold of an opponent’s drawers, handkerchief, or belt, or to take the two collars of his opponent’s jacket in one hand for the purpose of strangling him; but he may grasp the bottom corners of his jacket, or he may slip his hand under the jacket behind his antagonists back, and, by bringing it over the shoulder, grasp the opposite collar, and thus secure a telling hold. This hold is al- lowed in Cornwall, but not permitted in Devon- shire; although the latter’s ruling is usually adopted in contests by the best representatives of the two counties ; but the same strictness in conducting wrestling gatherings and giving decisions in the case of suspicious-looking back-falls which is the rule in Devonshire is not observable in Cornwall. The “fair back-fall” difficulty has always been a most serious drawback to this style of wrestling, as no judge, however competent and firm, can give satisfaction to the partisans of the men when the conditions are such that a (p.22) artful performer, although thrown, can often wriggle on to his side, if not absolutely held down, and claim to wrestle over again, and carry on the manoeuvre till the time for adjournment arrives, or darkness sets in, when he can claim a draw, although having the worst of the encounter, simply because his opponent had failed to satisfy the judges that he had thrown his man on.the requisite number of points, whereas, had the conditions been different—for instance, “first down to lose”—he would probably have stood no chance whatever. Many an inferior west-country wrestler has become famous on account of his getting-down tactics who would never have been heard of under other rules, where the wreath of victory was given only to the man who stood on his legs, and not to the one who artfully foiled his adversary after reaching the ground. The catch-hold style of wrestling is easier learned than the northern back-hold fashion, and is a more natural system of going to work in an unexpected rough-and-tumble encounter; but the western style has this drawback—its exponents are almost helpless without the regulation jacket, whereas a man who can wrestle in the Cumberland and Westmorland mode can acquit himself fairly well in any other, as the very fact of having liberty to quit his hold and renew it without being disqualified gives him advantages he does not possess in his own style; besides, whenever a northern wrestler gets the Cumbrian grip on a west-country performer, the latter is almost certain to get a fair back-fall, as the hands being locked together, small chance exists of being able to avoid being thrown on three points, or probably four. The two best holds are the “fore-hand play” and the “afterplay.” In the first you are almost in front of your opponent, whereas in the latter you are behind him.
(p.23) THE FORE-HAND PLAY. This is considered the best by experts in the exercise. To secure the hold for the fore-hand play, catch your antagonist by the right elbow or wrist, and hold fast by the jacket, at the same time seize him with the right hand by the bottom of his jacket, close above the hip-bone. Directly these movements are executed, a firm hold must be kept, throw your weight forward, turn yourself round to the left, so as almost to get your back to your antagonist, thus you will have the fore-hand play, and he will have the after-play. Your adversary, if he is an expert, will possibly attempt to take the fore- hand play, by laying hold of your elbow and side at the same time that you take hold of his, and each will be attempting to turn his back at the same moment. In such a position, quickness, and a knowledge of the art, combined with weight and strength, will decide the issue.
THE AFTER-PLAY. To get into position for the after-play, seize your opponent’s left collar with your right hand, and grasp him round the back as firmly as possible. The best movements for the fore-hand play are the out- side lock, the inside lock, the cross lock, the cross-heave, and the cross-buttock, and those for the after-play are the double lock, the heave, the cross-heave, the home tang, the outside clamp, and the pull-under.
(p.24) THE OUTSIDE Lock. After having turned your back to your adversary, throw your right leg-over the outside of his right, and twist your foot round it so that your toe comes to the inside of his ankle, twist yourself to the left, keeping a tight hold the while, and, as you nearly lift him from the ground, he is almost certain to fall on his back, especially if you retain your grasp and keep the outside lock or click in the position in which it was first placed. If you fail to throw your opponent and keep on your own legs, it is unsafe to remove the lock, and often results in defeat. In order to stop the outside lock, should the adversary’s head be under your arm, he will resort to the inside clamp, by striking the inside of your left leg with the outside of his left foot, and, by pushing yours forwara and twisting you round, may probably make you fall on your back. Should his head, however, be free, he will most likely ply the outside clamp, by throwing his left leg over your left thigh. If you are thrown backward, and both are coming to the ground, he will endeavour to turn himself so as to fall on his left side, in order that he may turn you on your back and shoulders. If the throw be forward, he may, by using the half-nelson (see p. 41), or by pressing the back of your neck with his left hand, throw you on your face.
THE INSIDE LOCK FORWARD. This is both a forward and backward movement. After getting into holds for the inside lock, twist your right leg (p. 25) ound the inside of your adversary’s left, by inserting it between his legs after the style of the outside lock, and proceed on the same system, and if vou find vou cannot throw your antagonist, un- ship the lock, and play the cross-buttock, as you have your man in a grand position for the operation. To stop the inside lock, the defendant will most probably pull all his might with his left arm round your waist, or press with his left hand against the back of your head, which manceuvre may bring you down. The inside lock backward resembles the Cumberland and Westmorland hank. If you have a good grip, after twisting your right leg round your adversary’s left, you may safely fall backward, and make sure of throwing your opponent, as the leverage supplied by the lock inside is certain to bring him on his back, very unpleasantly too, as the fact of the two wrestlers being glued together, as it were, causes them to fall as solidly as a single plank. The best method of stopping this formidable move is to play the double lock, which is brought about by the defend- ant throwing his right heel inside your left and pressing backward, or with the cross-heave, which is a capital defence against both the inside lock forward and the outside lock.
(p. 26) THE INSIDE LOCK BACKWARD. This is merely another illustration of the Cumbrian hank. After twisting your right leg round the inside of your opponent’s left, tum quickly and forcibly to the right, when both will, as a rule, fall backward, and by keeping a firm grip your antagonist is almost bound to fall underneath, unless he presses your head forward with his hand as in the diagram. In that case, the best way is either to aim for the cross- buttock or a fresh grip, as so long as he keeps his hand on your head and retains a firm grasp by the collar of your jacket, you stand a poor chance of throwing him backward.
THE DOUBLE LOCK. This is used as a defensive measure, and is found particularly useful when a wrestler is in danger of being lifted bodily from the ground. Itis a very effective method, too, of stopping the outside lock and the inside lock forward. Directly you feel you are going to be lifted off your feet, twist your right heel round your opponents left on the inside, at the same time throw your left leg over his right and make a back-heel of it; then, if you press your antagonist backward, you may possibly give him the cross-heave.
(p. 27) THE HEAVE, In this fall, both parties are in the same position, and a considerable amount of science is often displayed in con- sequence, On facing your opponent, place your right arm round his right shoulder, and reach over to his left loin, so that you have him under your right arm, then slip the left hand under him, so as to get hold of his left elbow. This often makes a capital fall, the unfortunate one being fre- quently thrown a complete somersault, The greatest promptitude is necessary to stop the heave, and the cross- buttock is frequently brought into play as a defensive measure, or the cross lock, which is executed by putting the right heel inside the adversary’s right heel as sharply as possible, at the same time sending him backward with a sudden jerk. It is per- formed after the manner of the Cumbrian inside cross click, and ought to be of more fre- quent use, as it is one of the best chips on the board. The only difference between the cross-buttock and the hip is this: the quick action of the legs is the principal factor in the former, whereas the hip is more nearly allied to the northern buttock. The cross-heave from the after-play is accomplished by (p. 28) passing your left hand round your opponent’s back to his left loin, taking care that your elbow is not in his grasp. Hold firmly with both hands, and lift your an- tagonist off the ground as high as you can, and, as you both come down together, turn yourself round to the left, and if you have retained your grip, he must of neces sity fall on both his shoulders.
The HOMETANG is effected by getting both hands round the chest to the left side. It is seldom, however, brought into play, and is easily stopped by the hip or buttock.
The Inside Cramp and the Outside Cramp, although defensive chips properly speaking, are often used as throws when a chance arises, and have been found useful in stop- ping the outside lock and other formidable manceuvres. The former is merely an inside click or lock under another name ; while the latter is simply an outside lock, or back- heel, used as a means of defence under difficulties.
The PULL-UNDER is performed thus:—Pass your left hand under your opponent’s chest to his left loin, and, by making-him play the inside lock, you have him fixed to all intents and purposes. It may be well to mention here, for the benefit of the uninitiated, that the Cumberland and Westmorland buttock and hank are precisely the same respectively as the Cornish and Devon fore-hip and back lock ; the Cumbrian buttock is (p. 29) the collar and elbow hiplock; and the Cumbrian hank stands good for the collar and elbow grape-vine, the favourite chip of the famous American “strangler,” Evan Lewis. ‘The principal objection that can be urged against the west-country style of wrestling is in regard to their definition of a fall. If ever the promoters could see their way to adopt the principle of “first down to lose,” as the climax of a struggle, the system would be more popular all over the country ; but the sport is surrounded and fettered by a host of unintelligible rules, which are simply intolerable, and seem to have been deliberately framed for the purpose of causing endless disputes. If such was the intention of the original authors, they have succeeded admirably, as the frequent bickerings at their gatherings have at last almost abolished the exercise in every part of the country except in the two counties from which it sprung. Such olden champions as Abraham Cann, Polkinhorne, Tom Cooper, W. Pollard, Chappell, Sam Rundle, and Jos Menear were a credit to their native districts. Certainly, many good wrestlers are to be found in both the counties at the present day, who without doubt are deserving of more patronage than thev receive.
Armstrong, Walter (1892). Wrestling: All-England Series. pp.18-29.