The wrestling in the Devonshire style and the single stick announced to take place on Monday, June 26, and two following days, at the Royal Standard, near the City-road, promises te afford much excellent sport. Several first-rate men have already entered their names as competitors for the prizes; and should Chapell & Collins come from […]
Howitt, W (1838); The rural life of England, Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans. WE must not close this department of our subject, without saying a word or two on wrestling. This exercise, which at one time was almost universal, is now, like many others, fallen into general disuse; and is confined almost entirely to […]
WE must not close this department of our subject, without saying a word or two on wrestling. This exercise, which at one time was almost universal, is now, like many others, fallen into general disuse; and is confined almost entirely to Cornwall and Devon in the west, and the counties of Chester, Lancaster, Cumberland, and […]
TWO CELEBRATED WRESTLERS, LITTLE COCK AND BLIND BILL. John Coppe, commonly called Little Cock, lived in the neighbourhood of Great Torrington, in Devonshire. This man, who lived to an advanced age, never exceeded five feet five inches in stature. In his youth he remained master of the ring at all the wrestling matches in the […]
THE CORNISH AND DEVONSHIRE METHODS. The principal difference between these methods is, that kicking the shins is a part of the Devonshire and not of the Cornish. The Devonshire men, therefore, wrestle with their shoes on, in order not to break their toes in kicking; and each takes advantage of this to bake the soles of his shoes, and thereby […]
Their ancient exercises have been archery, hurling, wrestling, football, dancing, and such like forcible exercises of strength and activity; recreating and hardening, and enabling their bodies and minds for more noble (though more uneasy and dangerous) martial employment; for which they are apt and in readiness with the foremost at all times. But these exercises […]
WRESTLING. The Grand Match for One Hundred Sovereigns, and retirement of Mr. Cann, the Champion, from the Ring. This match, which was for 100 sovereigns, between Mr. Abraham Cann, formerly of this city, but late of Colebrook, and Mr. John Ellicombe of Kingsteignton, came off in a spacious ring, in which an area of an […]
WRESTLING. Newton Abbot.—This good old Devonshire sport commenced on Thursday last, in one of the Bradley Meadows, near the town. The attendance was small on that day owing to the weather, it being very showery, but on Friday the ring was crowded to excess, and among the wrestlers were some of the finest men of […]
Currently resides in the collection of The Honiton Museum, Allhallows, Honiton. Displayed here with express written permission. The DWS wishes to thank the Trustees of Honiton Museum for their permission. The poster reads as follows: WRESTLING KING’S ARMS INN, HONITON. A Grand Match For a Private Purse of Sovereigns, Between W. MATTHEWS and W. TRACE, […]
NORTH DEVON. Barnstaple.—The wrestling match that came off at this place last week was attended by some of the best players in the western counties; and also, from day to day, by a large number of spectators. It commenced on Wednesday the ult. Standards made included: William Tucker, of Marwood; George Crocker, Chittlehampton; William Hodge, […]
DEVON AND CORNISH WRESTLING. Easter Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the splendid grounds of Mr. Bowden, Chalk Farm, were filled with spectators, to witness the play between these two celebrated counties. Smelt and Chappel commenced the single play on Monday; Chappell succumbed to the former. Ball and Gill, of Cornwall, displayed a good bout; Gill put […]
DEVON AND CORNWALL WRESTLING. The Annual contest of skill in this ancient sport between natives of the Western Counties, commenced on Monday, Camden Town, near London, and did not terminate till Wednesday. In consequence of the unfavourable weather, the men could not play out the double and treble play, and they agreed to divide the […]
DEVON AND CORNWALL WRESTLING MATCHES. The Devon and Cornwall Wrestling Society resumed their matches on Tuesday afternoon. The display of science was exceedingly good; and the ground selected, which is at the Brecknock Arms Tavern, Camden-town, was in fair condition. The attendance was numerous and respectable. The principal play was as follows: G. Partridge, of […]
The Sportsman’s Magazine, September 6, 1845. Singlestick In the play of singlestick the sticks used are somewhat heavier and stouter than in broadsword exercises, and the players usually strip to the shirt. In some parts of the country, Wilts, Berks and Somerset, paddings are used to save the arms, particularly the point of the elbow; […]
Devon and Cornwall Wrestling.—The Easter wrestling in the above style commenced yesterday afternoon, at the Brecknock Arms Tavern, Camden-town. The attendance during the afternoon was very numerous, and the play in this ancient “science” was extremely good, many wrestlers from both the above counties being present, and the play being without shoes, appeared to give […]
DEVON AND CORNWALL WRESTLING. SECOND DAY. Yesterday afternoon the Devon and Cornwall wrestling was resumed at the Brecknock Arms Tavern, Camden-Town. The ground was in very bad condition, in consequence of the wet weather, but the play during the day was extremely good. H. Ball, of Cornwall, and “The Unknown,” were the first players; Harvey, […]
CORNISH AND DEVON WRESTLING. The first day’s amusement of the above grand match came off on Monday at the Brecknock Arms, Camden Town. The two celebrated wrestlers, Polkinghorne and Cann, were expected to be there as spectators, but Cann was unable to attend in consequence of illness. On the second day’s amusement the old Devonshire […]
An oil painting on canvas, attributed to Henry Caunter (1808-1881). The painting was purchased by RAMM (Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Item no.: 12/1959) in 1959, added to the museum collection where it still resides. This photo was taken by the DWS at the last public display of the painting in April 2022, at RAMM, Exeter. […]
THE EXETER WRESTLING MATCH. On Friday the play was continued—Bond threw Bolt, Pengelley threw Chappie, Walters, and Bray. The sport throughout was excellent, and excited the admiration and applause of hundreds of enthusiastic spectators. Monday.—Chappie (D) threw Bond (D); Thresize (C) gave Holt (D) a fore-hipper. Then came the grand match, Bray vs Miller—Miller with […]
Somersetshire Wrestling at the Furnham Hotel, Chard, A purse of 15 Sovereigns, will be wrestled for, On Thursday and Friday, the 29th and 30th days of July, 1847, in the DEVONSHIRE STYLE !!! OPEN TO ALL ENGLAND. Dated 21st July 1847 – TOMS, PRINTER, CHARD. This poster is currently in the collection of the […]
CORNWALL AND DEVONSHIRE WRESTLING. BRECKNOCK ARMS, CAMDEN TOWN. The sports began by Verron, of Birmingham, who threw C. Retford, of Devon, twice. Jeffery, a new arrival from Cornwall, then downed D. Radford (D.) in superior style. Trimblett (D.) and Paul (Somerset) played two spirited bouts, Trimblett finally hiping Paul in consummate style. TUESDAY. Ayres (D.) […]
SOUTH ZEAL, In the Parish of SOUTH TAWTON, DEVON. A GRAND WRESTLING MATCH will take place at the Kings Arms Inn, on TUESDAY, the 11th of July, and following days, for THIRTY POUNDS, Which will be played for the old Devonshire style, and open to all Players, with the exception of Messrs. Gundry and Chappel. […]
James Cane, champion of the Devon wrestling ring, died, 1849.
Wrestling.—Devon and Cornwall—The friends of this manly sport were gratified by the sight of some first-rate play at Copenhagen House, on Easter Monday and Tuesday. The play was under the judicious management of Mr. F. Oliver. Upwards of fifty of the prime champions of both counties were present. Lockyer threw Pierce, and won the first […]
Wrestling.—Devon and Cornwall—The friends of this manly sport were gratified by the sight of some first-rate play at Copenhagen House, on Easter Monday and Tuesday. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, Mr. Garratt, the proprietor, gave the annual treat. The play was under the judicious management of Mr. F. Oliver. Upwards of fifty of […]
CORNWALL AND DEVON WRESTLING at Copenhagen House. In consequence of the unfavourable weather last week, Mr. Garratt, the spirited host of Copenhagen House, again gave prizes to be Wrested for last Monday, when some first-rate play was displayed, before a highly respectable and numerous company. For the next round the first set-to was between the […]
HORNSEY-WOOD TAVERN — Wrestling in the Devon and Cornish style will take place in the enclosed grounds upon Easter Monday and Tuesday. The proprietor will give £10 in prizes to be wrestled for; there will also be Single-stick, Rifle and Pigeon Shooting for a chased silver cup and a handsome silver snuff box. This being […]
THE COMMITTEE of the CORNWALL and DEVONSHIRE WRESTLING SOCIETY beg to announce that they will celebrate their usual ANNUAL SPORT in the Pleasure Garden attached to Mr Baum’s, the White Lion, Victoria Park Station, Hackney Wick, on Whit- Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when a number of handsome money prizes will be given to be wrestled […]
THE COMMITTEE of the CORNWALL and DEVONSHIRE WRESTLING SOCIETY beg to announce that they will celebrate their usual ANNUAL SPORT in the Pleasure Garden attached to Mr Baum’s, the White Lion, Victoria Park Station, Hackney Wick, on Whit-Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when a number of handsome money prizes will be given to be wrestled for […]
pp.118-123. “We wish to say a few words, my men, to those who are ” going to play with the sticks or wrestle to-day. There has ” been agood deal of talk about these sports, as you all know ; ” and manypersons think they shouldn’t be allowed at all now” a-days-that thetimefor them has […]
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.
