Abraham Cann, born in 1794 in Devon, rose to national fame as a wrestler, captivating audiences with his strength and skill. Despite his success, he encountered a decline marked by personal tragedies and financial hardships, eventually receiving parish relief. Cann died in 1864, leaving a lasting legacy in wrestling history.
The article explores ‘outplay wrestling’ in 19th-century Britain and Ireland, revealing a rich multi-regional culture involving champions like Gaffney and Cann. It highlights significant Irish-Devon confrontations, their styles, cultural implications, and substantial economic stakes. Overall, it conveys wrestling’s critical role in shaping national identity and competitive sports.
This article argues for reviving Welsh wrestling (ymafael) using comparative Brythonic traditions, especially Cornish and Breton styles. It outlines historical evidence, proposes reconstructed techniques and terminology, and offers practical guidance for revival. Emphasising honesty, cultural context, and institutional support, it frames the effort as both cultural restoration and living, evolving practice.
This piece celebrates the shared heritage of Irish Collar-and-Elbow and Devonshire wrestling, traditions aimed at reviving centuries-old grappling techniques. Both styles, extinct by the 20th century, are experiencing a revival through dedicated communities. The article encourages collaboration between the two factions, suggesting a cultural exchange to enhance their practices.
Since 2003, an extensive archive focused on Westcountry Martial Arts has been compiled using various sources. Published works include ‘Westcountry Wrestling: A Comprehensive Guide’ and a compendium of ‘Cornish Wrestling.’ Upcoming projects involve practical guides on cudgelling and a comprehensive history of Devon Wrestling for publication by 2026, with future additions anticipated.
The evolution of Devonshire shin-kicking reveals a sophisticated martial art rooted in tactical intelligence, biomechanics, and historical context. Initially brutal and injury-prone, reforms by John Stone made the practice safer while preserving its core techniques. Today, the Devonshire Wrestling Society maintains the art’s integrity, emphasizing skill and self-defense within a modern context.
The article explores the diverse customs of ‘outplay wrestling’ in Britain and Ireland during the nineteenth century, highlighting complex multi-regional traditions often overshadowed by the Devon-Cornish rivalry. It analyzes styles, participation, and cultural significance, demonstrating that jacket-based wrestling was a broad, interconnected sport across various regions, especially highlighted in London’s 1820s wrestling scene.
A recently discovered document at the Devon Heritage Centre reveals that Mary I renewed the Masters of Defence commission in 1555, confirming its jurisdiction outside London. Despite this, historical records show no prosecutions or enforcement actions against unlicensed martial arts teaching, illustrating how Tudor authority often existed theoretically rather than practically.
With today’s 199 year anniversary of this famous match, we wanted to take the time to consider this major event in the history of Westcountry Wrestling. Picture this: thousands of spectators packed tightly together, tension thick in the air, as two legendary athletes prepare to face off in a contest that has captured the imagination […]
The Devon and Cornwall Wrestling Society was a significant sporting organisation that was founded in 1752, and operated through to the 1870s, primarily centred on London venues. The Society represented the institutionalisation of Westcountry Wrestling traditions within the commercial sporting landscape of Victorian London, offering substantial prize money and establishing formal governance structures that distinguished […]
The following is an shortened and edited exerpt from our upcoming research into the history of Devon Wrestling: ‘Devon Wrestling: Archives of a Combat Sport (1800-1950)’. This study provides a modern reader a detailed understanding of the following factors of the sport: Early Period (1800-1827): Rise of county styles Date Location Participants Prizes Winner Citation […]
Featured image: The Wrestling ring ready for competition In an age when digital activities tend to be more popular than physical ones, it’s becoming more important to one’s mental and physical health to take part in activities in the real-world. A common phrase is the need to get some grass between the toes, figuratively meaning […]
Think Devonshire wrestling is dead? Think again! A new project, The Devonshire Wrestling Society, is bringing back this once legendary sport. With proper rules, organization, and a revival of tradition, it aims to preserve a lost piece of English heritage. Would you watch (or even try) this traditional combat sport? 🤼💥 #BringItBack #DevonWrestling #RevivingTradition
In 1826, Devonshire wrestling champions earned prize money that outmatched a year’s wages for most workers. 🥇 First place: £50 (today’s equivalent of £6,500!)🥈 Second place: £40 (about £5,200 today)🥉 Even sixth place got £5 (around £650 in modern money). Side bets? Worth three years’ wages! 😲 Would you take a shin-kicking for that kind […]
Featured image: A painting of the Polkinghorne-Cann match on 26th October 1826. In the early to mid-19th century, Devonshire wrestling emerged as one of England’s most prestigious combat sports, characterised by its unique style, substantial prize purses, and legendary champions. The sport’s golden age, roughly spanning from 1800 to 1830, saw wrestling matches drawing tens […]
Welcome to the dynamic, fun and exciting sport and martial art of Devonshire and Cornish Wrestling. We’re gearing up to provide a website fit for the sport, and to introduce it to the world beyond the Westcountry.