Dartmouth Whitsuntide Amusements. ON TUESDAY, the 27th of May, 1817, to be WRESTLED FOR, on the SOUTH GROUND, a PURSE of EIGHT GUINEAS, and other AMUSEMENTS.—And on WEDNESDAY, the 28th of May, to be WRESTLED FOR, a PURSE of THREE GUINEAS, BOAT RACING, and a variety of other AMUSEMENTS.
The Wrestling-Match at Ide, yesterday, afforded great amusement to the lovers of that manly and athletic diversion; a number of first-rate players attended from different parts of the County, and most of the matches were strongly contested.—The play was kept up, with great spirit, until two o’clock this morning, when the prize was won by […]
WRESTLING.—A few days since was wrestled for, about a mile and half from Chulmleigh, a purse of five guineas and a hat, given by Mr. Jas. Baker.—Several first rate players attended—amongst them were, the Wrefords, Jolly, Lewis, Flower, and a youth, not twenty years of age, named Woolaway, six feet two inches and a half […]
Diversions at Paignton Fair. TO take Place on the 23d and 24th of May, 1820, being TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY in WHITSUN-WEEK. ON WEDNESDAY, WRESTLING, for the following Prizes, To begin precisely by one o’clock. The best Man………… £5 0s. 0d. Second best Man……. £2 0s. 0d. Each Standard……….. 5s. 0d. Fair play will be shewn, […]
The wrestling and other sports on the Hoe, are going on with much spirit, and is not expected to be finished until the latter end of the week.
Wrestling.—At Kingsbridge the famous Cann was again victorious. Some of the play was very good: many of the Devonshire veterans played, among them the venerable Flower.
OKEHAMPTON ANNUAL GRAND WRESTLING MATCH, For TWENTY SOVEREIGNS! ON THURSDAY and FRIDAY, the 5th and 6th of AUGUST next, another grand opportunity presents itself for Devonias justly celebrated sons to display their courage and science, in the noble and manly exercise of WRESTLING, Where, last year, so many fine fellows gained those never-fading laurels, which […]
WRESTLING.—Okehampton grand Wrestling Match takes place to-morrow and Friday. Twenty Guineas, being the sum to be wrestled for, the lovers of that gymnastic sport in the neighbourhood anticipate a treat, as it will no doubt induce many of the best players in the county to contend for the various prizes.—On Wednesday and Thursday last there […]
WRESTLING.—The grand Wrestling Match, which took place at Okehampton on Thursday and Friday last, has, as was anticipated, afforded one of the richest treats ever witnessed by the admirers of this manly exercise, the excellent science and John Bull like courage here displayed, excited the admiration and applause of every one present. By 1 o’clock, […]
GRAND WRESTLING FOR TWENTY-FIVE SOVEREIGNS. TO be WRESTLED FOR, in the BOWLING-GREEN of the SALUTATION INN, TOPSHAM, (Fair Back Falls,) on Monday the 20th of June, the Capital Prize of Fifteen Sovereigns, Seven of which will be given to the Best Man, And on the Following Day, A Purse of Ten Sovereigns, Five of which […]
A grand wrestling match took place at Ashburton on the 18th and 19th. A man named THORN of Widecombe-in-the Moor, possessed immense strength and who had distinguished himself in the Life Guards at Waterloo, had been put into training by some gentlemen at Ashburton, for the purpose of pitting him against the champion, Abraham CANN. […]
WRESTLING.—At Morchard Grand Wrestling Match, yesterday and to day, for 12 Sovereigns, the Champion A Cann was thrown by the younger Dartmouth, by an unlucky fall, after 35 minutes severe play. Mr. Wreford carried off the first prize, and James Cann won the second; during the play A Cann’s shoe was thrown out by the […]
The Wrestling and other sports at Dartmouth on Tuesday and Wednesday next, are expected to be well attended.
WRESTLING. TO be WRESTLED FOR, at PAIGNTON, on Thursday & Friday the 22d & 23d of June, a PURSE of 20 SOVEREIGNS; Of which, the Best Man will receive, Six Pounds,—Second Ditto, Four,—Third, Three,—Fourth, One. Sixteen Standards will be made, all of whom will have a Dinner. Fair Play, which commences at Ten o’Clock precisely, […]
WRESTLING. THE ANNUAL GRAND WRESTLING MATCH FOR 20 SOVEREIGNS, Will take place at BROADCLYST, on Tuesday and Wednesday the 11th and 12th days of July next.—Particulars of which will be expressed in a future advertisement. Dated Broadclist, 8th June, 1826. WRESTLING. TO be WRESTLED FOR, at PAIGNTON, on Thursday & Friday the 22d & 23d […]
ASHBURTON ANNUAL WRESTLING will be on Monday and Tuesday, the 17th and 18th of July, for a Prize of TWENTY FIVE SOVEREIGNS, when every encouragement will be given to deserving Players. June 20th, 1826. CREDITON WRESTLING. THE Sum of TWENTY-FIVE GUINEAS, will be Wrestled for at Crediton, on Wednesday and Thursday the 5th and 6th […]
WRESTLING.—The Paignton match commenced on Thursday last. The single play on the first day passed off rather laggingly, serving, however, to shew the strength of the muster, and enlightening the spectators by the promise it gave of capital work for the next day. At 2 o’clock, on Friday, the double play commenced, it was South […]
EXETER GRAND WRESTLING MATCH WILL take place on MONDAY & TUESDAY, the 28th and 29th of AUGUST instant, in a commodious Field adjoining the Black-Boy Turnpike Gate, at the Head of ST. SIDWELL’S, when 30 SOVEREIGNS Will be divided as follows: The Best Man, 10 Sovereigns; Second Best, 7 ditto; Third Best, 5 ditto; Fourth […]
WRESTLING.—The Okehampton Grand Match commenced on the 16th inst. Twenty four men got share, and the double play brought with it some of the richest turns that have ever been witnessed; the men all fresh from their native hills displayed a strength and vigor almost superhuman, as they were stripped they seemed very Atlases. Woolaway […]
The St. Sidwell’s Grand Wrestling Match also commenced on Monday morning; and as a proof of the interest now taken in promoting this manly sport, the city has this week presented the singular spectacle of two Grand Wrestling Matches, both got-up, excellently arranged, and each attended by the primest men in the world, going on […]
WRESTLING.—The prize of ten Sovereigns for the thrown men at the Exeter Wrestling last week, was won,—the first prize of four Sovereigns by Mr. Wreford; the second of two Sovereigns by J. Bolt; and the third of one Sovereign by Horwill.—James Frost of Aveton Gifford, appeared in the ring, at the close of the play […]
HONE’s TABLE BOOK Hone, W (1827); The table book: or, Daily recreation and information concerning remarkable men, manners, times, seasons, solemnities, merry-makings, antiquities and novelties, forming a complete history of the year, W. Tegg. DEVONSHIRE WRESTLING. For the Table Book. Abraham Cann, the Devonshire champion, and his brother wrestlers of that county, are objected to […]
A Correspondent has favored us with the following List of the Ages, Height, and Weight, of some of the principal Wrestlers at the above match: DEVON: Abraham Cann, Age 32, Height 5ft 8½in, Weight 175lbs. William Wollaway, 28, 6ft 0in, 210lbs. James Stone, 28, 5ft 4in, 173lbs. John Jordon, 39, 6ft 4in, 230lbs. William Wreford, […]
WRESTLING. The Annual Grand Wrestling Match took place at Tavistock on Wednesday the 8th instant, and lasted till Friday night. It was allowed to be the greatest match ever witnessed, either in Devon or Cornwall, the former county being allowed on both sides to have the superiority. A. Cann 1st prize. The Cornishmen generally made […]
WRESTLING. The match at Broadclist, commenced on Monday morning. 16 as strong standards as ever stepped into a ring were made. The turn in the double play between James Cann and young Lewis, was a masterly effort, which lasted for 38 minutes, when Lewis was thrown. The brave Wreford, and an equally brave man of […]
The Paignton match, though commenced under rather inauspicious circumstances, has eventually proved one of the highest order. Jordan the first prize of £7 was adjudged; the second of £5 to Wreford; and the third of £2 10s. to Archer. After this, a highly-interesting match was got up between Huxtable and Avery; the best in three. […]
DARTMOUTH GRAND WRESTLING MATCH. THE DARTMOUTH GRAND WRESTLING MATCH, for THIRTY SOVEREIGNS, will take place on the New Ground, (a Ring of 80 foot diameter turfed for the occasion) on WEDNESDAY, 25th day of JULY next, the play to commence precisely at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. This hour will admit of the company being […]
A GRAND WRESTLING MATCH WILL take place at TOTNES, on MONDAY and TUESDAY, the 16th and 17th of JULY next. Every encouragement will be given to Players, and further particulars will appear in this Paper of the ensuing week. THE NEWTON-ABBOT GRAND WRESTLING MATCH For 50 SOVEREIGNS. TO be WRESTLED FOR, in a Field adjoining […]
TWENTY-FIVE SOVEREIGNS. FAIR BACK FALLS. TOPSHAM Annual GRAND WRESTLING MATCH, for the above PRIZE, will take place in the Bowling Green of the SALUTATION INN, (subject to such conditions as will then be produced). On Monday and Tuesday, the 9th and 10th day of July next. The play to commence by eight o’clock in the […]
WRESTLING.—The Topsham match commenced on Monday last. On the first day, neither the play nor the appearance of the ring would bear a comparison with what has often been seen at this place; but the next morning ample amends was made for the disappointment of the preceding day, by the tumbling in of some prime […]
The Devonshire Wrestling Society archive has been assembled over more than twelve years of systematic research into the history of Westcountry martial arts. When this work began, the documentary record was sparse and dispersed: sources were few, descriptions were thin, and access required navigating institutional barriers that most researchers would not have the time or resources to overcome. The archive now comprises 421 records — 322 newspaper articles (1778–1947), 35 manuscripts, 11 posters, 48 books, one letters patent, two cemetery inscriptions, and two memorials — spanning approximately one thousand years of history across five defined periods and three core disciplines: wrestling, cudgelling, and pugilism.
The material has been drawn from archives, museums, and libraries at both local and national level, as well as from diaspora communities. Access varied considerably: some holdings were straightforwardly available through public or gated online repositories; others required direct institutional inquiry, formal licensing, or payment. Licence fees for individual items have, in some cases, reached several hundred pounds. Items acquired under licence are retained for private research purposes only and are not published. A small number of items from private collections likewise remain unpublished, pending permission. All records for which publication rights have been secured are made freely and openly available.
The cost of the archive — in time and in money — has been substantial. It is offered without charge because the traditions it documents belong to the communities that produced them, and because those who come after should not be required to repeat the effort already expended.
Every record in the archive was acquired through a consistent five-stage process:
Identification. Awareness of potential sources was established through systematic searches of public and private institutional indexes worldwide, and through direct correspondence with subject specialists already engaged with relevant holdings.
Access. Depending on the institution, access was obtained through online repositories, direct application, or formal licensing. Correspondence was initiated with several hundred institutions over the course of the project. Where institutions confirmed the absence of relevant holdings, this was recorded. Where access was granted, the means of access was documented.
Storage. All acquired material is held in a single centralised repository, ensuring that research access is permanent and that no duplication of acquisition effort is necessary.
Preparation. Every record has been transcribed to render it fully searchable and taggable. Images have been assigned metadata recording provenance, licensing terms, and resolution specifications for publication purposes.
Publication. The publicly available inventory represents all records for which the requisite permissions have been obtained.
In order to ensure consistency and intellectual coherence across the archive, all prospective additions are evaluated against the following criteria, which are applied collectively and in sequence. A record should satisfy the majority of these criteria before inclusion is considered.
Relevance. The record must have a demonstrable and direct connection to the Six Shires (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire) as the location of practice, the origin of practitioners, or the primary institutional context. Records concerning Westcountry practitioners competing elsewhere (in London, the United States, or South Africa, for example) are eligible where the practitioner’s regional identity is explicitly identified in the source. Records documenting the export of Westcountry martial arts beyond Britain are admissible and desirable, consistent with existing holdings relating to California, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. The record must concern one or more of the three disciplines in scope: Westcountry wrestling (Devonshire or Cornish style), cudgelling or single-stick as practised in the region, or pugilism and boxing with a demonstrable Westcountry connection. Records documenting the co-occurrence of two or more disciplines are particularly valuable and should be prioritised.
Integrity. The source must be primary or a reliable early secondary record. For newspaper sources, this means a contemporaneous report; for books, a first or early edition, or a verified transcription thereof. Secondary scholarship is admissible where it contains primary-source quotations not otherwise independently accessible, provided these are clearly identified as such.
Balanced representation. The curatorial target is approximate parity — not of record count, which will inevitably reflect the uneven survival of evidence — but of intellectual representation across the three core disciplines. Where any discipline is underrepresented relative to this target, acquisitions in that discipline should be prioritised accordingly.
Material culture. Physical objects — trophies, belts, equipment, and architectural features — are admissible where they carry inscriptions or documentary provenance that independently attest to the practice of a discipline in the region.
Verifiability. The source must be identifiable with sufficient bibliographic precision to be cited in APA format and, where possible, to be independently verified by a reader consulting the original. Oral tradition, undocumented folklore, and secondary paraphrases without citation do not meet this standard. Where a source is available online, a direct URL must be provided.
