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Bowling Through the Ages |
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Hi I'm Don. Welcome to this potted history of Lawn Bowling, leading onto Short Mat Bowls. This is not the end product. Watch this space for chapters on the evolution of bowling woods and Crown Green Bowling. Feel free to copy any part of this article, however if you download the whole item please inform us. |
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Chapter 1 From Egypt Sands to English Green
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When did it all begin? The primeval competitive spirit, combined with a need of community drives most of our team sports today. From the beginning of time these have existed in man, simply as a means of survival. When the need subsided, those actions that were essential became avenues for relaxation and leisure. Bowling, as we know it today has developed over the centuries, from a simple stone throwing exercise to a demanding sport. The official Egyptian Government website claims that Egypt was the cradle of 'Sport', indeed that they invented the first ball, so that games such as hockey, even football, were known to Egyptians in ancient times. Football, according to archaeological records, was a game for GIRLS! It is claimed that 5,000 years before Jesus was born, people in Egypt were playing a type of skittles that involved throwing round stones. (www.bowls247.co.uk). Some sport historians believe this was a forerunner of the game we know as Bowls, one of the oldest sports enjoyed by man.
All Over The World Today a recognisable game of Bowls, is found in many parts of the world, even though its character may change according to location. In Italy, the game as it is played there, is called ‘Bocce’. In Denmark Bolle, the French version that you may see in any town, village or beach in France is called Boules, whilst in the far-off Polynesian islands it is known as Ula Miaka. Playing Boules on the beach at Monte Gordo in Portugal The Italian game originated in the Alps, and was a favourite game of Roman soldiers as they whiled away time between battles. The game consisted of throwing large stones at a smaller target stone, with the aim of landing as close as possible to the smaller one. Later when balls were substituted for stones, they were rolled rather than thrown. The Roman conquest of these islands, was key to ensuring that Bowls came to be played here. When those Roman armies were recalled to their native city, one of the valued legacies they left us was this game The Saxons adopted it, renaming it within their own dialect as Bolla. Maybe one reason that King Alfred burnt the cakes, was his thoughts about the next Bolla match! This conjures up a picture of a game that has been enjoyed in some form or other, for thousands of years. 
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The Oldest Bowling green in England and the World
Moving on from the Saxon era. King Edward the first wa on the throne of England, the English were fighting an ‘on and off’ war with their old adversary France. In the port of Southampton, during 1299, a Bowling Club was formed, on a green which had been established in 1187, today it has the distinction of being credited as the oldest Bowling Green not only in England but the world, and still in use.
It is also the only club that has a 'Master' in charge, a title carried forward from the earliest of days. A unique occurrence called the 'Knighthood' competition is held annually when the members play in top hats and frocked tails suits, the winner being allowed the title of 'sir', (in lower case), Those who win are banned from future Knighthood competitions.
Other clubs in the country also lay claim to ancient ancestry, Chesterfield Bowling Club lays claim to having a rink from 1294, other clubs in the country also lay claim to ancient ancestry. From this we know that in England, Bowls was a recognised and somewhat organised sport, as long ago as the thirteenth century. |