CREDITON, DEVON. TO be SOLD in Fee, with immediate possession, all that Field or Close of Land, containing about one acre (more or less) called the LITTLE CLOSE, or WRESTLING FIELD, situate near Thresher’s Causeway, in Crediton, and now in possession of Mr. Philip Stone.—Also, for the Life of the said Philip Stone, aged 50, […]
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 […]
- Date: June 10, 1817
- Type: Book
The men of the moors in Devonshire, and the adjacent county, being famous for wrestling, we may add to what has been said upon the subject, from the observations of old Carew, who in his quaint style remarked, “You shall hardly find an assembly of boys in Devon and Cornwall, where the most untowardly among them will not as […]
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, […]
Page 608 EXMOUTH WRESTLING. Rosalind. —— Shall we see this wrestling, coz? Le Beau. You must, if you stay here, for here is the place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to perform it. As You Like It. Page 609-611 [The first part describes a Londoner’s life and the author’s visit to Exmouth […]
To the Admirers of the CHASE, the TURF, the STUD, the RING, &c. On the 1st of January, 1822, was published, (to be continued Monthly,) price 2s. 6d., No. I. of the ANNALS of SPORTING and FANCY GAZETTE; a MAGAZINE entirely appropriated to SPORTING SUBJECTS and FANCY PURSUITS; containing every thing worthy of remark on […]
The Topsham Annual Wrestling Match commenced in the Bowling-Green, at the Salutation Inn, on Monday forenoon, and was not concluded until near three o’clock this morning. There were 14 double-players, and many of the matches were strongly contested. The 1st and 2d prizes were won by Abraham and James Cann, of Cheriton-Bishop, and the 3d […]
The Topsham Annual Wrestling Match commenced in the Bowling-Green, at the Salutation Inn, on Monday forenoon, and was not concluded until near three o’clock this morning. There were 14 double-players, and many of the matches were strongly contested. The 1st and 2d prizes were won by Abraham and James Cann, of Cheriton-Bishop, and the 3d […]
“I run, I wrestle, I can well throw the barre” – Barclay To the editor of the Sporting Magazine. SIR, THE men of Devon have ever been renowned for their great skill in the manly sport of wrestling. They are, in general, particularly well formed for the play, broad in the shoulder, strong in the […]
- Date: April 22, 1823
- Type: Book
Litt, Walter (1823), Wrestliana; or, An historical account of ancient and modern Wrestling. Available online via Archive.org.
ANNALS OF SPORTING. Published on the first of every Month, price 2s. 6d. each Number. THE ANNALS of SPORTING and FANCY GAZETTE; a Magazine entirely appropriated to Sporting Subjects and Fancy Pursuits; containing every Thing worthy of Remark on Hunting, Fishing, Single Stick, Rowing, Shooting, Cocking, Pedestrianism, Sailing, Coursing, Pugilism, Cricket, &c. &c. Racing, Billiards, […]
A woodcut by George Cruikshank, currently held in the British Museum (id: 1978,U.3287). It bears the label: Two Cornish men wrestling, a large crowd of rustic men gathered around the ring and watching with interest, some seated on a bench, flags flying from the covered stand behind; a version of the etching; illustration to the […]
An illustration by Thomas Rowlandson (London 1756-1827) ‘A Cornish wrestling match’ – bears indistinct inscription (lower centre), pen and ink and watercolour on paper laid down on card 18.2 x 30.6cm (7 3/16 x 12 1/16in). Sold at Bonhams for £1,062.50 inc. premium: 26 July 2017, 10:00 BST, London, Knightsbridge Available online: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24193/lot/552/thomas-rowlandson-london-1756-1827-a-cornish-wrestling-match/
Although listed variously as ‘A Cornish wrestling match’, ‘Two Cornish men wrestling’ et al., this artefact produced by Cruikshank clearly depicts Moor-men (wrestlers from Dartmoor) who were known to wear Red/Green and Black Cockerels/Lions on their backs*. The pictures also show wrestlers wearing skillibegs (‘shin-padding’) and shoes, distinctive equipment of the Devon style. Credit to […]
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, […]
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, […]
Two matches, one at billiards, the other at wrestling, took place at Brighton, Thursday. These matches were made in London, about three weeks back, at a celebrated sporting house, between Mr. Hayne, of Tavistock-street, and Mr. Carney, a gentleman from the Sister Kingdom, well known among the members of the turf and the ring. Mr. […]
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. […]
- Date: August 19, 1825
- Type: Book
An indirect reference to Devon Wrestling in reference to shin injuries and conditions of disease (not caused by Wrestling, but by other ailments): Now in Devonshire especially, a habit prevails of kicking shins in wrestling. In this gymnastic exercise, two men collar each other, and kick each other’s legs; whosoever throws his opponent first on […]
WRESTLING.—We have before had occasion to advert to the idle stories, which have found their way into the London prints, relative to a challenge given from Cornwall, to back Polkinhorn and Parkin, against the champion A. Cann, and Jordan, to wrestle for 100 guineas,—but we now find the same system of deception is practising nearer […]
WRESTLING.—We have before had occasion to advert to the false stories, which have found their way into the London prints, relative to a challenge given from Cornwall, to back Polkinhorn and Parkin, against the champion A. Cann, and Jordan, to wrestle for 100 guineas. (COPY.) TRULL, 11th August, 1825. SIR,—A challenge having been given by […]
WRESTLING.—The Rival Champions.—The Amateurs of this ancient and truly noble sport, may expect soon to have one of the greatest treats ever experienced in this or any other part of England, in a contest between the renowned Devonshire Champion Abraham Cann, y’clept the Nonpareil, and the no less celebrated Polkinghorn, of Cornwall.—The time and place […]
WRESTLING.—The Rival Champions.—The Amateurs of this ancient and truly noble sport, may expect soon to have one of the greatest treats ever experienced in this or any other part of England, in a contest between the renowned Devonshire Champion Abraham Cann, y’clept the Nonpareil, and the no less celebrated Polkinghorn, of Cornwall. St. Thomas, near […]
