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Dover’s Antient Meeting 1812 , On Thursday in Whit – week , on that highly renowned and universally admired spot called Dover’s Hill , near Chipping Campden , Glos . The sports will commence with a grand match of Backswords , for a purse of guineas , To be played by 9 or 7 men […]
William Somervile (he himself, and most eighteenth-century imprints, used the form Somervile, but an alternative spelling of ‘Somerville’ was also used) was the author of a short Homeric-style poem in celebration of the rural festivals of the period. The poem is a witness to wrestling and cudgelling being staged together at the same festival, which supports […]
Four notes for the archive record: First, “Trowbridge in Somersetshire” (p. 93) is an error: Trowbridge is in Wiltshire. Second, the Hampshire place is printed inconsistently — “Rapley Dean” on p. 94 and “Ropley Dean” on p. 95 — and refers to Ropley, Hampshire (the green at Ropley Dean). Third, “waiscoat” (waistcoat) and “taylor” (tailor) […]
THE SPORTING MAGAZINE. VOL. XXXV. DECEMBER, 1809. N°. CCVII. SINGLE-STICK. WITH AN ENGRAVING. [This is the engraving by Wheble, Somersetshire Gamesters (1810)] WE have been favoured not only with a drawing, from which this Engraving is taken, but likewise with an article on the Game of Backsword or Single-Stick, which follows. The subject is likewise […]
THIS is to give Notice to all Gentlemen Gamesters, and Others, THAT there will be Three HATS, of Three Guineas Price, the free Gift of Abraham Golding and Robert Hobbs, at St. John’s-Bridge in Gloucestershire; One Hat, on Monday the 6th of September next, to be play’d for at Back-sword, by Five or Seven of […]
THIS is to give Notice, THAT Mr. William Saunders, of the Saracen’s-Head at Highworth, Wilts, will give Two Guineas to be wrestled for, by the famous Berkshire Milk-Boy, and four other Berkshire Men, of his Company, against any other five Men in England, on Thursday the 30th Instant, October, for a Fall, or six Foils. […]
Handwritten rules for Cudgel playing, from Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Articles of Play 1st best: The person that shall fairly break the greatest number of heads & save his own to receive 3 guineas & a half 2nd best: The person that shall fairly break the next greatest number of heads & save his own […]
CUDGELLING In the last issue of Wiltshire Folklife there was a request for information on a number of interests. Two responses focus attention on cudgelling. Mrs. F. Morrison contributes her note and illustration below. This is followed by a note dated 1763 sent by Miss M.H. Nichols which presents the sport in a particular context. […]
This song or poem was documented by Hughes in 1859. It is believed to predate this recording. THE ZONG OF THE ZUMMERZETSHIRE OWLD GEAMSTER. I. “Cham* a Zummerzetshire mun Coom here to hev a bit o’vun. Oo’lt+ try a bout? I be’ant aveard Ov any man or mother’s zun. II. “Cham a geamster owld and […]
A Prize Quart Pewter Tankard, labelled: “Won at the Fighting Cocks, Plaistford, As a prize for Back Sword Play. ” The exact date is unknown, however the accredited metal worker, Thomas Easton, was active between 1675-1695, so it must’ve been produced during this period. It’s unknown when it was presented as a prize. Museum Number: […]