BOWLS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11827, 7 January 1933, Page 10

BOWLS

HOW THE GAME WAS EVOLVED

king hal breaks the la w

How old is the game of bowls? Was it played first .with bronze, iron or stone bowls? No one can enlighten us (says a writer m the London “NewsChronicle”.

A manuscript- in thg. Royal Library at Windsor makes it. clear that the game was played m iho thirteenth century. A drawing shows two players bowling at- a small cone, Another manuscript- of the same century shows a jack being vised. One player is following up his bowl and screwing his body in. much the same manner as present-day cuthusia.sts. Many Acts of Parliament were prised to prevent the game being played mainly because it interfered with archery. By an Act of 15-11, which was not repealed until 18-15, artificers, labourers, apprentices, aand servants were forbidden to play at bowls in their master’s house and presence. Anyone playing the game outside hi-s own garden, or orchard, was liable to a penalty of 6s 8d hut those people possessed of land of tho yearly value of CIOO might obtain, a licence in play on their private greens. Henry Yl.ll. however. himself broke the laws by having a bowling alley constructed at Whitehall Place, and he betted heavily upon his skill as a player. Biased howl- were first introduced in the sixteenth century. Pieces of iron and lead were skillullv inserted into tho woods to give them weight and to make them “pull” over the green. Bowls found considerable favor with the Btuarls. James 1 recommended it to his son Henry and Charles J wagered high stakes, an example followerecl by other, which brought, the game into disrepute. Charles J frequently played ai .Barking Hall, where lie lost £IOOO in one game against Richard Slmto, a Turkey merchant, who possessed a private green. Charles played much during his captivity at Cnrisbrook, at Holmby House, in Northamptonshire, at Hnrrowdcn, and at- Althorp. He actually played a game at Althorp when Cornet- Joyce came in remove him to custody.

Men played for estates as well as high stakes in those days, Sir Edward Hungoriord losing his horn ( > with tho cry. “Here goes Rnwdon,” as lie threw his last ca'st at a jack lie could nob possibly reach.

I possess a copy of a sot of rules of the game 20 in number, compiled in 1(370 by King Charles 11. James Duke of York, ami George Duke of Uuckinhnm. Many of the Royal players terms and expressions are used on the gren to-dav. Rule 13 declare that one foot must remain on the mat. li is not three years since the English Association. agreed to make that act an ‘inperative one. These royal rules also use the word ‘‘lie” when, referring to a drawn shot. Rule 20 advises tin; players to "keep your temper and remember that he who plays at howls must take the rubs.” Many hitter hooks and pamphlets were written against the game • Bishop Earle, in what he called his “Microcosmographio” ; Charles Cotton, in his “C’omplont Gamester” ; Randle Holme, in his “Academy of Armory” (1683), all decried howls. “Never did Mimmicke screw his body into half the forms that these men do theirs,” says Cotton, who twitted howlers upon loud lying and senseless crying after their running bowls.