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SINGLE-STICK PLAYING. A MATCH of Single-stick playing, between Davis and Harding, two Hampshire men, and Goddard and Phillips, from Wiltshire, took place on Tuesday the 3d instant, at Swallowfield, Berks, for 25gs. a side, amidst as great a concourse of people as usually assemble on such (pp. 81.) such occasions. Davis and Goddard first mounted […]
SOMERSETSHIRE. A grand match of single-stick, Somerset against all England, took place at Frome a few days since, and afforded much excellent sport: it was truly a feast for the amateurs of that manly exercise. The principal object of this match was to afford the Somerset and Wiltshire gamesters an opportunity ot displaying their prowess. […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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: […]
Backswording by Richard Doyle (1824-83). Wood-engraving, 2 1/2 x 4 3/8 inches (on 4 1/8 x 7 1/8 inch page). 1859. W. J. Linton, Engraver. Facing p. 146, Hughes’s The Scouring of the White Horse. Image scan and text by George P. Landow. Available to access online thanks to George P. Landow, via VictorianWeb.
Single Stick or Cudgel Playing is a very useful science, if learnt with the view of self preservation; but when practised as a game or amusement it is thoroughly brutal. The playing, as it was erroneously called, was conducted as follows Half-a-dozen casks were rolled on the Parade or some open place, on which were […]
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; […]
(pp167)…Joe beckoned me in, and I went round to the back of the table and looked on. As the men came up from the group round the door, when their names were called out, the umpires said a few words to each of them and then gave them their prizes, and most of them made […]
Single-stick and Cudgels. [To Mr. Hone.] I do not observe that you notice the yearly village sports of Single-stick playing and Cudgelling, in your Year-Book. — You may know, perhaps, that the inhabitants of many of the villages in the vrestern counties, not having a fair or other merry-making to collect a fun-seeking money – […]