THE GAME OF BOWLS

Evening Star, Issue 19521, 31 March 1927, Page 1

THE GAME OF BOWLS

AH AHCIEHT PASTIME One of the earliest reference* to howls is found in Fitzstephens’s survey of London, written about the end of the twelfth century- P® tells us that in the summer holidays youths took exercise, amongst other pastimes, in “ throwing stones.” There is little doubt that Fitzstephens referred to bowls, for stone spheres were used in this and similar games even M fate as tho reign of Henry IV. 1 Historians of our pastimes have speculated as to whether bowling was originally .an outdoor or an indoor sport. It appears that the game was played in both forms. The writer referred to above records that the citizens went' outside the walls into the suburbs to witness games, but the alleys were within the walls. • .• I n common with - most pastimes conflicting with the practice of archery, bowls was the subject of several restrictive laws. In a Close 801 lof 1336 bowls was referred to among the games that were “ dishonorable, useless, and unprofitable.” Further research discloses that bowls was still regarded with suspicion in the time of Edward IV. “Half-bowl” was bracketed with the “new imagined plays’ which were followed_ by ail classes “to their own- impoverishment,” and by their ungracious procurement and encouragement to induce into sucji plays till they he utterly undone and impoverished of their goods.” Bowlp waa even blamed for murders, robberies, and felonies—surely a rather strong indictment for such an innocent amusem on t.

Although Henry VIII. could not wilt any stretch of. imagination bo regarded as a killjoy, he confirmed all the laws levelled against bowls. But, despite the edict that “no one by himself, factor, deputy, servant, or any other person shall for his or her gain, lucre of living, keep, have, hold, occupy, exercise, or maintain any common house, alley, or place of bowling,” the’ game still survived. There • is' little doubt that the laws framed to suppress the game were freely But howls were permitted if privately played, and licenses were granted-to those who could claim a yearly income above a certain amount and afford bo provide facilities for the game in their own grounds. , Dotted throughout the country are to. bo found bowling greens that have long and interesting histories. Prominent among these is the old Southampton green. It is not possible to trace the actual origin of this green. Some contend that it was formed by a. number pf. Southampton gentry and merchants who acquired the’site, laid the turf, and hedged it round at their own expense. They were, it is said, permitted to hold the land free from any rent charge. This green has been handed down from one generation, of players to another, so preserving the bowling rights to thej present day. Somb years ago a controversy arose as to the ownership of this green, and the Town Clctk of , Southampton was instructed to investigate the early Tocords of the corporation. His report stated that it appears probable that the ground was set. apart for recreation and bowling from the earliest period of the history of-the town, also that a master of the green was elected as for . bade as 1229, when it was called Master's Close. Although the ground itself is the property of the town tho present club or association occupying or managing the green would seem to have obtained certain prescriptive rights from length of usage for tho purpose of playing’the game of howls. ()ne historian informs us that the silo was left as a legacy by a lady, the object of her gift being that it should bo used for the purpose of playing bowls for tho recreation of the ‘‘.gentlemen and genteel merchants of the torwn.” Davies, in his ‘ History of, Southampton.” mentions tho green as existing in 1550. ■

Several old maps and engravings showing the green in days, gone by ana to be seen in the pavilion of the club, which boast of some quaint customs and privileges. Among those is the holding of a contest for the honor or “knighthood.’ 1 This ceremony, which dates back to the year 1770, takes place on the green, and the title falls to the' member who “ by his skill and prowess has first attained the magic number of seven, and has been hailed as winner.” v The “ knighthood ” is accompanied by several largo silver trophies, whicji are worn on a ribbon. Those the “knight” is expected to produce aC the request of the master on opening day, medal day,, and closing day. If the regalia is not forthcoming the delinquent “knight” is summarily fined. The chib possesses many of these medals, the earliest being dated 1784. Some, bear old Masonic signs, showing, as Mr John Russell, the “senior knight” of the chib, recently expressed it, “that the great Masonic brotherhood has helped to immortalise and ensure the prosperity of what is, beyond all question, the oldest bowling green in the world,”—‘ Sports Trader,” December, 1925,