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_NORTH COUNTRY SPORTS AND PASTIMES._
Wrestling and Wrestlers:
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CELEBRATED ATHLETES OF THE NORTHERN RING;
TO WHICH IS ADDED
_Notes on Bull and Badger Baiting_.
BY
JACOB ROBINSON
AND
SIDNEY GILPIN.
Of all the athletic amusements of the people, Wrestling is beyond doubt the
best.--CHRISTOPHER NORTH.
LONDON: BEMROSE & SONS.
CARLISLE: THE WORDSWORTH PRESS,
75 SCOTCH STREET.
MDCCCXCIII.
TO THE MEMORY
OF
JACOB ROBINSON,
THESE PAGES ARE
_GRATEFULLY DEDICATED_,
BY
HIS FELLOW-WORKER,
SIDNEY GILPIN.
PREFACE.
Every dale and valley, every nook and corner, throughout Cumberland,
Westmorland, and North Lancashire, at all likely to yield materials, has
been ransacked and laid under subservience in the compilation of this
volume; and it now becomes the pleasant duty to record the fact, that not a
single instance of unwillingness was met with, on the part of the multitude
of narrators, who supplied the items of the various events chronicled.
The local newspaper files have materially aided our labours, in a variety
of ways. Besides supplying many passing incidents, we have found them, in
some instances, exceedingly useful in the way of verifying and correcting
dates.
A brief description of Swiss Wrestling was promised, for the introductory
chapter, by a native of that country resident in London. This promise
yielded no fruit at the time, and it is a matter of regret that it still
remains unfulfilled.
Of Wrestling in France, we have not been able to glean much information,
although enquiries were set on foot through the columns of _Notes and
Queries_ and _Bell's Life in London_.
For much information contained in the article on Wrestling in Scotland, we
are indebted to Mr. Walter Scott of Innerleithen; and for a few other items
we have to thank Mr. Robert Murray of Hawick.
While the feats of many well known wrestlers are to be found in these
pages, the names of others equally well known are necessarily omitted; but
we may be able to publish a record of their achievements at some future
time.
With a full consciousness of many imperfections, we now leave our work to
the judgment of those impartial readers, who may honour it with a perusal.
LOCAL WORKS ON THE SUBJECT.
_Wrestliana: an Historical Account of Ancient and
Modern Wrestling._ By William Litt. Whitehaven: R.
Gibson, 1823.
Second Edition of the above, (reprinted from the
"Whitehaven News,") by Michael and William Alsop, 1860.
_Wrestliana: a Chronicle of the Cumberland and
Westmorland Wrestlings in London, since the year 1824._
By Walter Armstrong. London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co.,
1870.
_Famous Athletic Contests, Ancient and Modern_,
compiled by Members of the Cumberland and Westmorland
Wrestling Society. (Reprinted from the Best
Authorities.) London: F. A. Hancock, 1871.
_Great Book of Wrestling References, giving about 2000
different Prizes, from 1838 to the present day._ By
Isaac Gate, Twenty-five Years Public Wrestling Judge.
Carlisle: Steel Brothers, 1874.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION: Page
Ancient Grecian Wrestling ix.
Wrestling in Japan xii.
Indian Wrestling xviii.
Wrestling Match in Turkey xxi.
Old English Wrestling xxiv.
Wrestling in Scotland xxxviii.
Irish Wrestling xlvi.
CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND WRESTLING 1
MELMERBY ROUNDS 20
LANGWATHBY ROUNDS 27
JAMES FAWCETT, Nenthead 36
WILLIAM RICHARDSON, Caldbeck 43
WILLIAM LITT, Bowthorn 61
MILES AND JAMES DIXON, Grasmere 74
ROWLAND AND JOHN LONG, Ambleside 90
TOM NICHOLSON, Threlkeld 99
WILLIAM MACKERETH, Cockermouth 115
HARRY GRAHAM, Brigham 116
JAMES SCOTT, Canonbie 119
ROBERT ROWANTREE, Kingwater 126
WILLIAM DICKINSON, Alston 135
GEORGE DENNISON, Penrith 141
JAMES ROBINSON, Hackthorpe 149
THOMAS RICHARDSON, Hesket-New-Market 156
TOM TODD, Knarsdale 167
WILLIAM WILSON, Ambleside 175
JOHN WEIGHTMAN, Hayton 186
JOHN MC.LAUGHLAN, Dovenby 208
BULL BAITING 219
BADGERS AND BADGER BAITING 235
ADDENDA 244
INTRODUCTION.
ANCIENT GRECIAN WRESTLING.
The ancient Grecians were passionately fond of festivals and games. In
every particular State such institutions were occasionally celebrated for
the amusement of the people; but these were far less interesting than the
four public games frequented by multitudes from all the districts of
Greece. The Pythian Games were celebrated at Delphi; the Isthmian at
Corinth; the Nemæan at Nemæa in Argolis; and the Olympic at Olympia, near
Elis. We propose to give a brief account of the Olympic games only, as
being by far the most splendid, and in which victory was reputed to be the
most honourable. The celebrity of these games was extended for many
centuries after the extinction of Greek freedom, and their final abolition
did not occur until after they had flourished for more than eleven hundred
years.
The games were held in summer when the heat was excessive; and to add to
the difficulty and fatigue experienced, the more violent exercises were
performed in the afternoon, when even the spectators were scarcely able to
remain exposed to the sun. To prevent the competition of such as were
unskilful, the candidates were required to swear that for ten months before
the commencement of the games they had made it their constant study to
prepare for the contest; and during the last thirty days they were obliged
to reside at Elis, and had to practise daily under the inspection of the
judges. Hence, the permission to contend at Olympia was regarded as no
inconsiderable honour, and served in some degree as a consolation to the
vanquished.
Immediately before the commencement of the different exercises, a herald
led every candidate separately through the assembly, and demanded if any
one knew him to be a man of profligate character, or to have been guilty of
any notorious crime. As numbers were present from every state in Greece--to
some of whom each of the combatants was known--it rarely happened that any
suspicious character chose to expose himself to such a scrutiny. The
candidates were required to make a solemn declaration that they would not
endeavour to gain the victory by bribing their adversaries, or by a
violation of the laws regulating the different contests; and any person
guilty of a breach of this promise was not merely deprived of the olive
crown,[1] but was fined by the judges, and could never after contend at
the games. These regulations seem to have accomplished the purpose for
which they were intended, since, during several hundred years, only five
instances occurred in which any improper artifice was known to be employed
by the competitors in the games.
The Greeks held the exercise of WRESTLING in high estimation, which, in
point of antiquity, stood next to the foot race. The object of the wrestler
was to throw his adversary to the ground: but it was not till this had been
thrice repeated, that he obtained the victory. Like all who contended in
the games, the Wrestlers were accustomed to rub their bodies with oil,
partly to check the excessive perspiration occasioned by the heat and the
violence of the exercises, and partly from an opinion that the oil gave the
limbs a greater degree of pliancy and agility. As the smoothness occasioned
by the oil would have prevented the combatants from grasping each other
with firmness, it was customary for them, after being anointed, to roll
themselves in the dust of the Stadium, or to be sprinkled with a fine sand
kept for that purpose at Olympia. If in falling, one of the Wrestlers
dragged his adversary along with him, the combat was continued on the
ground, till one of the parties had forced the other to yield the victory.
The inhabitants of Hindostan, and of the countries constituting the ancient
kingdom of Assyria, have undergone a variety of revolutions; but
inactivity has always formed the leading feature in their character. In
every age they have fallen an easy prey to invaders; nor have the repeated
instances of oppression to which they have been exposed, ever roused them
to limit the exorbitant power of their sovereigns. The Greeks, living in a
climate nearly as sultry as that of Asia, would probably have fallen
victims to the same indolence, had not their early legislators perceived
this danger, and employed the most judicious efforts to avert it. Among the
means devised to accomplish this end, none seem to have been so effectual
as the public games. It was not by any occasional effort that a victory
could be gained at Olympia. Success could be obtained only by those who
were inured to hardship; who had been accustomed to practise the athletic
exercises while exposed to the scorching heat of the sun, and who had
abstained from every pleasure which had a tendency to debilitate the
constitution and lessen the power of exertion.[2]
WRESTLING IN JAPAN.
In Japan wrestling appears to be an institution of greater importance than
even in our own country. The meetings for its exhibition before the public
are made quite important affairs. They are mapped out and arranged annually
by the ruling authorities. A distinct race selected from the native
population are brought up and trained in the practice from their youth.
This tribe profess to trace back their wrestlings long before the Greeks
held their Olympic games on the banks of the Alpheus. At the present day it
is asserted that their Mikado or Emperor, near seven hundred years before
Christ, encouraged wrestling; and during this long period--century after
century--it has been one of the most popular amusements of this strange
people. It might not have continued to flourish so long had not the
government assisted in keeping the game alive by introducing it into and
regulating the proceedings in all towns of any size. A large staff of
professionals is kept solely for this purpose, and outsiders cannot enter
and compete as is done in this country.
The Japanese, from all we can glean, do not appear a race likely to be
devoted to athletics. Lighter amusements--more suitable to their climate,
requiring less violent bodily exertion--it may be inferred, would be more
to their taste or inclination. Their mode of wrestling, however, has this
advantage, that it does not necessitate active preparation. Weight and bulk
appear great, if not absolute, requisites in the wrestling ring. To
accomplish these requirements, a fattening process is resorted to in lieu
of hard work training. Ordinarily the male Japanese are not more than five
feet five or six inches in height. It is a remarkable fact, however, that
in the wrestling class there are many six feet men weighing fourteen
stones and upwards, some few eighteen or twenty stones. "I have never
anywhere," says Lindau, "seen men so large and stout as these Japanese
wrestlers. They are veritable giants."
A concise description of one of their wrestling meetings may not be
altogether without interest. A special department of the government is
entrusted with the duty of carrying out arrangements for holding a series
of meetings in all the principal towns. A programme is annually issued, so
that any town set down for visitation has sufficient time to make all
needful preparations. A large plot of ground for forming the ring is
selected, and enclosed with bamboos. Stages with seats are fitted up for
the aristocracy and richer classes, and a small charge is made for
admission. The ring is sure to be well filled, one half frequently being
females gaily dressed for the occasion. The loud beating of a drum gives
notice that proceedings are about to commence, and a dead silence reigns
throughout the great crowd. An official comes forward and gives out, with a
loud voice, the names of those about to contend; and announces, too, a list
of places at which the fortunate ones have been successful. The drum again
sounds, and all those appointed to wrestle enter and march round the ring,
appearing as if duly impressed with the importance of the pending struggle.
All are naked, with the exception of a gaudy silk girdle round the loins.
After parading round the enclosure, the combatants divide themselves into
two equal sides, and squat down upon their heels. A stage is erected on
four pillars in the middle of the ring, and raised about half a yard. The
manager calls out the names of the first pair to contend, one from each
side, and at the same time announces his opinion how the betting should
run. These preliminary proceedings concluded, the two called on step out
and are greeted with cheers from all sides. They sprinkle the ring with
rice and water before the more serious work begins; rub rice between their
hands, and drink salt and water. These curious proceedings take place in
order, according to a prevalent superstitious notion, to bespeak the favour
of the god who rules gladiatorial contests.
Four umpires, grave looking personages, are appointed, and stationed, pipe
in mouth, at each pillar of the raised stage. A signal is given, and the
two wrestlers uttering loud defiant shouts, and crowing like cocks, make a
rush at each other, with all the fury and violence of two rival tups in the
breeding season. The shock and noise of two such weighty bodies meeting
resound all over the ring, and the spectators after a momentary holding of
their breath, give expression to their pent-up feelings by ringing shouts
of admiration. Blood, in almost all cases, is seen to flow from both
competitors as they separate with the rebound, and slowly fall back. Again
and again they meet, each endeavouring with his utmost power, to drive his
antagonist off the stage. After several rounds contested with the like
violence and determination, they for a moment pause, and resort to a trial
of a different sort.
They rush together and seize each other anywhere about the body or arms,
incited and cheered on by the vociferous applause of the spectators. The
fiercely contested struggle becomes intensely exciting, as the athletes
close, and, locked together breast to breast and shoulder to shoulder,
continue the conflict, each endeavouring to grasp the other round the
waist. This is effected, after pushing and wriggling about for some time,
by one or other of the wrestlers. After securing a firm grip, shaking his
opponent, fixing his legs in position, and gathering himself up for a final
superhuman effort, he lifts his now doomed foe high up in the air, and with
what Cornishmen would call a "forward heave," hurls him clean off the
stage, where he lies for some time enduring a fire of bantering, and then
walks quietly off. Breathless, blood-stained, and perspiring from every
pore, the victor looks proudly about and is greeted with cheers renewed
over and over again. After parading round the ring, with uplifted
outstretched arms, he makes a respectful acknowledgment, and walks off to
his comrades.
The manager again comes pompously forward and summons another pair. Fresh
animated betting goes on while they prepare for the onset; and it may be
this fondness for gambling--common to most eastern countries--which helps
to keep up the popularity of wrestling. The second couple go to work
precisely as the first; then another and another, till finally the champion
of the day is proclaimed, and greeted with cheers that continue for some
time. Generally he is presented with a decorated belt, and, with it
fastened round the waist, goes about the observed of all observers.
And this, as detailed, is Japanese wrestling. We can hardly accord it the
term as understood amongst us, and cannot deem it entitled to be classed
with the honoured back-hold pastime of northern England, worthy of eulogy
from the most fastidious-minded. Christopher North would not applaud a Yedo
meeting with the hearty praise he gives to Cumberland and Westmorland
wrestling on the banks of Windermere; neither would Charles Dickens have
gone away from the Ferry so delighted, if the contests he witnessed had
been such as the Japanese delight in. Indeed, our readers generally will,
we imagine, be apt to consider the Eastern wrestling amusement no better
than something akin to our mediæval barbarism. Certainly, nothing in
athletics can be considered more strikingly different, than one of our
quick scientific harmless bouts, as distinguished from the butting or
tupping, the pushing and hauling, the rough tumbling about, and clumsy
finale, in which victory is mainly due to overpowering strength and
weight.
INDIAN WRESTLING.
There is a great similarity in the wrestling in India, and the same pastime
in Japan. This similitude is so close, that after a description of the
latter, there need not be much space devoted to a narrative of the sport in
our great Eastern Empire. The public exhibition of the sport is, in a great
measure, confined to the soldiers of the native regiments of infantry.
Sometimes matches are made and come off which create wide-spread interest,
by men who do not belong the service. So great is the interest taken in the
contests, that they often continue for the best part of a day; and during
the whole time couple after couple enter the ring, and continue to exhibit
their skill. There can be no doubt, the encouragement of such pastimes will
exercise a powerful influence in making them better soldiers, and more
attached to the service.
The wrestlers are lithe active young fellows, and enter the ring in
exuberant spirits. Before the actual commencement of the struggle at close
quarters, each resorts to a ridiculous ceremony, in order to propitiate
some powerful deity to whom they look for assistance to achieve success.
The act consists in simply touching the forehead with a small portion of
earth picked from the ground. On the conclusion of this preparatory
proceeding, they return to the edge of the ring, and go through a series of
manoeuvres, which a stranger would look at with astonishment, and which
in reality can exercise no influence on the struggle. They jump about,
first on one leg, then the other, bounding backwards and forwards
repeatedly, with great agility. Loud bangs on the body follow, inflicted by
the hands with such violence as to make a noise that resounds all over the
ring. This is the opening play, followed by sham attacks, till an
opportunity presents for close work. With surprising quickness, the arms
are grasped high up towards the shoulders, and followed by violent butting
of head against head, accompanied by twisting and wrenching. Meanwhile one
of the two is thrown to the ground, where the struggle is continued amid
excited cheering, till one of the tawny coloured competitors is forced on
his back and securely held. This is seldom successful, until three or four
bouts have been fought out, and a clear back fall gained.
The following account of a great wrestling match between the Mysore hero
and the Punjaubee champion, was written by an Englishman in Madras:--
The Punjaubee champion is from North India. The Mysore
man has lately won a great match, and was highly elated
in consequence; while the Punjaubee had such confidence
in his powers, that he pledged himself to give up the
Sikh religion and turn Mahomedan if he lost the
match.... After waiting a few minutes the Punjaubee was
the first to put in an appearance; he walked up amidst
scrutinising glances and stood "within the ring." He
was a great big fellow, beautifully built, and
splendidly developed, with muscles standing out in
knots on the arms and legs. He was the same colour as
most Punjaubees--light brown; taken on the whole, he
was rather a handsome man.... His opponent was not long
in following him; he stood up, stripped, and stepped
into the sand. He, too, was remarkably well built, but
nearly black, and villainously ugly. He was not quite
up to the Punjaubee. His muscles were large, and he
looked the more wiry and active of the two; but the
Punjaubee was the bigger and looked the stronger.
They began by standing two or three yards apart, in an
inclined position, stooping towards each other, and
advancing as stealthily as cats, suddenly making a
snatch at each other's wrists and hands, and then
drawing back with inconceivable rapidity.
The neck was the great object of attack, and many
attempts were made by the native of Mysore to get hold
of his antagonist's neck, while the Punjaubee made
desperate efforts to clutch his adversary by the neck,
and force his head down into chancery. After a good
deal of dodging, and advances and retreats, clutches at
neck, head, and wrists, the Punjaubee, who seemed the
most eager of the two to finish the job at once, and
had been acting more on the offensive than the
defensive, suddenly made a rush in, tried to close and
trip. Quick as he was, his antagonist was quicker, and
the Punjaubee hero was foiled. Then time was called,
and a short interval allowed for breathing.
Round, number two, began in right good earnest; each
man seemed thoroughly buckled to his work, and in a few
seconds the Punjaubee, who was in rare fettle, threw
the Mysore man on to his knees; but the latter giving
him a sudden and well directed push, nearly caused him
to change his religion. Both men recovered themselves
with marvellous dexterity, and grasping each other,
they struggled up together, the Mysore champion getting
upright a little the first; but almost immediately the
Punjaubee gave his man a clean throw forwards, and the
native of Mysore was discovered lying full length on
his chest, with the Punjaubee kneeling on his back.
From this time the contest resembled nothing so much as
a "grovel" behind goals for a touch down. For a time
the struggles of both men were intense, the Punjaubee
having to do all he knew to keep his man down at all;
and it seemed quite possible that, if the Mysore native
could not get up himself, he would pull his opponent
down, when the latter tried to roll him over. Presently
came a pause, which the Punjaubee used to advantage, by
covering his fallen foe with sand, so as to get the
better grip. Skilful as the Mysore champion was, he
could in no way retaliate when in this distressing
position. However, he continually made clever attempts
to regain his feet, and still cleverer ones to pull
down the Punjaubee when he was endeavouring to turn him
over. But finally the contest ended by the Mysore
champion mistaking his chance to get to his feet, and
after a grand struggle up to the very last moment, the
muscular Punjaubee turned him flat over, so that there
remained not the slightest doubt in the minds of all
the spectators that both his shoulders were resting on
the ground, the one throw was given, and the battle was
won.
WRESTLING MATCH IN TURKEY.
The following account of a modern Wrestling Match in Turkey, is so
graphically related that we feel confident it will be perused with interest
by most readers. We may remark by the way, that the gipsies who figure in
the match are of the same race as their namesakes in England and other
parts of Europe; but they preserve in Turkey more of their Oriental
appearance and character. The writer is Lieut.-Colonel James Baker of the
Auxiliary Forces, who published a book on _Turkey-in-Europe_, in 1877.
I passed through a fine town called Barakli-Djumaa, in
the middle of the plain [of Seres], and inhabited
principally by Christian Bulgarians. A great wrestling
match was going on just outside the town, and I stopped
to witness the sport. A circle about thirty yards in
diameter was formed by the men, women, and
children,--Turks, Bulgarians, and a plentiful supply of
gipsies--all sitting closely packed together round the
circumference. There was the usual accompaniment of a
gipsy band, composed of a drum and a clarionet, which
was kept going continuously.
A competitor, stripped to the waist, steps into the
ring and walks round with a grand air as he displays
his muscular frame to the admiring gaze of the
bystanders. Presently his antagonist enters the ring,
and both competitors shake hands in a good natured way,
and a little laughing and chaffing goes on. They then
commence walking round, every now and then turning in
to shake hands again, until suddenly one pounces upon
the other to get the "catch," and the struggle
commences. No kicking is allowed, and the throw must
lay the vanquished man upon his back, so that both
shoulder-blades touch the ground at the same time. The
champion was a burly Bulgarian of herculean strength,
when at the invitation of some black-eyed gipsy girls,
a fine but slim young fellow of their tribe entered the
lists against him; but, although considering his youth
he made a gallant struggle, a quick throw laid him
sprawling on his back, to the evident chagrin and
disappointment of the gipsy women. Their eyes flashed
with anger as they now held a hurried consultation,
when off started a very pretty girl evidently bound
upon some errand. She soon returned with one of the
most splendid specimens of humanity I ever saw. If, as
is asserted, there were princes and dukes amongst the
ancient tribe of gipsies who emigrated to Europe, this
must certainly have been a descendant of one of them.
His fair escort pushed him into the ring with an air of
pride and confidence, as much as to say, "Now, you
shall see what a gipsy can do." The young man was about
twenty-five years of age, and nearly six feet high,
with a handsome, aristocratic, and cheery countenance;
and as he took off his jacket and handed it to his fair
one, and thus stood stripped to the waist, there was a
buzz of admiration from the whole crowd. He was
slightly made, but all was sinew. Laughingly, and half
modestly, he shook his powerful antagonist by the hand,
and then the walk round commenced, the young gipsy
talking and laughing all the time. It seemed as though
neither liked to be the first to begin; when suddenly
the Bulgarian turned sharp upon his antagonist, and
tried a favourite catch, but quick as lightning the
lithe figure of the gipsy eluded the grasp, and a sigh
of relief went up from his clan. The excitement was now
intense, and the young girl perfectly quivered with
nervous anxiety as she watched every movement of her
swain. She would have made a splendid picture! They
were still walking round, and it seemed as though the
struggle would never begin, when, lo! a simultaneous
cry went forth from the whole crowd, as the great
Bulgarian lay sprawling, and half stunned, upon the
ground.
The movements of the gipsy had been so quick, that it
was impossible to say how the throw was done, but the
Bulgarian was turned almost a somersault in the air,
and came down with a heavy thud. The young champion
shook him by the hand, lifted the heavy man high into
the air, and then set him on his feet. The face of the
young girl, as she handed back her hero his jacket, was
pleasant to look upon. Lucky man! As she took him by
the hand, and led him away to wherever he came from, I
began to think there might be a worse fate than being a
gipsy....
I was so attracted by the wrestling scene at
Barakli-Djumaa, that I lost much time, and had to push
on quickly, in order that we might reach a khan,
perched up in a small village amongst the mountains
which lay between us and Salonica.
OLD ENGLISH WRESTLING.
Our acquaintance or familiarity with Old English wrestling is, as may be
surmised, circumscribed. We have therefore endeavoured, in part, to
introduce the southern ring in the introductory chapter. In carrying out
the attempt, considerable and important assistance has been derived from
having the benefit of referring to a rare and curious work by Sir Thomas
Parkyns, a distinguished wrestler and writer in the early part of the
eighteenth century. According to Dr. Deering, in his _History of
Nottingham_, a copy of Sir Thomas's work was forwarded to His Majesty
George I., with a manuscript dedication. Sir Thomas further intimates: "I
invite _all_ Persons, however Dignifi'd or Distinguish'd, to read my Book."
So say we,--for a more thorough-going and candid book we do not know; a
book containing many curious home-thrusts and quaint sayings, bearing upon
the art and mystery of wrestling. We can fully endorse the words of the
Nottinghamshire baronet, when he says: "For my own part, I transcribe after
no Man, having practical Experience for my Guide in this whole Art, and
intirely rely on Observations made with the utmost Accuracy."
The art of wrestling in the present day is chiefly confined to the lower
classes of the people. This is more especially the case in the south of
Lancashire. In the north, yeomen's sons and farmers' sons are often
exceedingly clever in the wrestling ring. The sport was, however, more
highly esteemed by all classes of the ancients, and made considerable
figure among the Olympic games. In the ages of chivalry, too, to wrestle
well was accounted one of the accomplishments which a hero ought to
possess.
The inhabitants of Cornwall and Devonshire, we are well assured, from time
immemorial have been celebrated for their expertness in this pastime, and
are universally said to be, in their style, the best wrestlers in the
kingdom. To give a Cornish hug, used to be a proverbial expression. "The
Cornish," says Fuller, "are masters of the art of wrestling, so that, if
the Olympic games were now in fashion, they would come away with the
victory. Their hug is a cunning close with their combatants, the fruit
whereof is his fair fall or foil at the least." They learned the art at an
early period of life, "for you shall hardly find," says Carew, in his
Survey of Cornwall, 1602, "an assembly of boys in Devon and Cornwall, where
the most untowardly amongst them, will not as readily give you a muster (or
trial) of this exercise as you are prone to require it."
"In old times," says Stow (in his Survey of London),
"wrestling was more used than has been of later years.
In the month of August about the feast of St.
Bartholomew," adds this very accurate historian,
"there were divers days spent in wrestling. The Lord
Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs being present in a large
tent pitched for that purpose near Clerkenwell.... But
of late years the wrestling is only practised in the
afternoon of St. Bartholomew's day." The ceremony is
thus described by a foreign writer, who was an
eye-witness of the performance. "When," says he, "the
Mayor goes out of the precincts of the city, a sceptre,
a sword, and a cap, are borne before him, and he is
followed by the principal Aldermen in scarlet gowns
with golden chains; and himself and they on horseback.
Upon their arrival at the place appointed for that
purpose, where a tent is pitched for their reception,
the mob begins to wrestle before them two at a
time."[3]
The following quaint and curious description of the row, and destruction of
property after the wrestling, at the "Hospitall of Matilde"--so different
from our peacably conducted northern rings--copied literally from _Stow's
Annals of England_, will, we opine, be interesting to our readers.
In the year 1222--Henry the III. reign, on St. James
daie,--the citizens of London kept games of defence and
wrestling, neare unto the Hospitall of Matilde, where
they gotte the masterie of the men of the Suburbes. The
Bailiffe of Westminster devising to be revenged,
proclaims a game to be at Westminster, upon Lammas day;
whereunto the citizens of London repaired; when they
had plaid a while the Bailie with the men of the
Suberbesses, harnessed themselves and fell to fighting,
that the citizens being foullie wounded, were forced to
runne into the Citie, where they rang the common Bell,
and assembled the Citizens in great numbers; and when
the matter was declared everie man wished to revenge
the fact. The maior of the citie, being a wise man and
a quiet, willed them first to move the _Abbot of
Westminster_ of the matter, and if he woulde promise to
see amends made, it was sufficient. But a certaine
Citizen named Constantine Fitz Arnulph, willed that all
Houses of the Abbot and Bayliffe should be pulled
doune, which wordes being once spoken, the common
people issued out of the Citie, without anie order, and
fought a civill battaile, and pulled doune manie
houses.
On March 31st, 1654, the Puritan parliament passed "An Ordinance
Prohibiting Cock Matches"--(i.e., cock-fightings)--and likewise issued
excommunications against well-nigh all classes of sports and pastimes;
nevertheless, we find that Cromwell relaxed the strung bow by times, and
indulged himself in witnessing some Hurling and Wrestling matches in Hyde
Park, as the following quotation from the Commonwealth newspaper, _The
Moderate Intelligencer_, amply testifies:--
Hyde-Park, May 1, [1654.] This day there was a hurling
of a great ball, by fifty Cornish gentlemen on the one
side, and fifty on the other: one party played in red
caps and the other in white. There was present HIS
HIGHNESS THE LORD PROTECTOR, many of his privy council,
and divers eminent gentlemen, to whose view was
presented great agility of body and most neat and
exquisite _wrestling_ at every meeting of one with the
other, which was ordered with such dexterity, that it
was to show more the strength, vigour, and nimbleness
of their bodies, than to endanger their persons. The
ball they played with was silver, and designed for the
party that won the goal.
The same newspaper continues: This day was more
observed by people's going a _maying_ than for divers
years past, and indeed much sin committed by wicked
meetings with fiddlers, drunkenness, ribaldry, and the
like: great resort came to Hyde-Park, many hundred of
rich coaches, and gallants in rich attire, but most
shameful powdered-hair men, and painted and spotted
women; some men played with a silver ball, and some
took other recreation.
Later on John Evelyn's _Diary_ furnishes us with a view of wrestling for
fabulous sums. We think a hundred pounds, given at a meeting in the present
day, a large and tempting amount. The following, however, taking into
consideration the value of money upwards of two hundred years ago, does
seem astounding: "1669--19 Feb.--I saw a comedy acted at Court. In the
afternoon, I saw a wrestling match for £1000, in St. James Park, before His
Majesty, a world of lords and other spectators; 'twixt the Western and
Northern men; Mr. Secretary Morice and Lo. Gerard being the Judges. The
Western Men won. Many great sums were betted."
* * * * *
After the foregoing brief notice of ancient wrestling, we shall proceed to
crave the reader's attention to a similar pastime after the style practised
in the counties of Devon and Cornwall. In doing so, we are fortunately
enabled to gather important information from a rare and interesting old
book, by Sir Thomas Parkyns, previously referred to, and first published in
the year 1713. This work was held in such high estimation, that in 1727, a
third edition had to be printed; and as the circulation would, in a great
measure, be confined to the southern parts of the kingdom, such a rapid
and numerous sale must be taken to indicate extraordinary popularity. It
will be gathered, the manner of wrestling differs materially from the
scientific, manly, back-hold Cumbrian method. The space, however, devoted
to the "Cornish Hugg," even in a work professedly devoted to northern
sports, will it is confidently presumed prove acceptable, particularly to
readers who admire the "Art of Wrestling," which the Nottinghamshire
baronet designates as "most Useful and Diverting to Mankind," and
"Diverting, Healthful Studies and Exercises." Such are the means by which
he avers "You will restore Posterity, to the Vigour, Activity, and Health
of their Ancestors; and the setting up of one Palæstra in every Town, will
be the pulling down of treble its Number of _Apothecaries' Shops_."
"Thus were our _Britons_, in the Days of Old,
By Sports made hardy, and by Action bold,
And were they, now, inur'd to exercise,
And all their Strugglings were for Virtue's Prize.
_Man_ against _Man_, would not for Power contend,
No Lust of Wealth would _Hugg_ a private End,
Nor _Each_ would _Wrestle_ to supplant his Friend."
W. T., on _Inn-Play, or the Cornish-Hugg_.
Not content with this glowing eulogium on a sport long dear to Cumberland
and Westmorland, and as emphatic as any ever uttered on the Swifts at
Carlisle, the enthusiastic baronet goes on to say:--
"No doubt but Wrestling, which does not only employ and
exercise the Hands, Feet, and all other Parts of human
Frame, may well be stiled both an _Art_ and _Science_;
however, I will do my endeavour, both _Hip_ and
_Thigh_, that Wrestling shall be no more look'd upon by
the Diligent as a Mystery."
Sir Thomas finds "Wrestling was one of the five
Olympick Games, and that they oil'd their Bodies, not
only to make their Joints more Supple and Plyable; but
that their Antagonist might be less capable to take
fast hold of them....
"I advise all my Scholars ne'er to Exercise upon a full
Stomach, but to take light Liquids of easy Digestion,
to support Nature, and maintain Strength only. Whilst
at Westminster, I could not learn any Thing, from their
Irregular and Rude Certamina, or Struggles; and when I
went to Cambridge, I then, as a Spectator, only
observ'd the vast Difference betwixt the Norfolk
Out-Players and the Cornish-Huggers, and that the
latter could throw the other when they pleas'd.... The
Use and Application of the Mathematicks here in
Wrestling, I owe to Dr. Bathurst, my Tutor, and Sir
Isaac Newton, Mathematick Professor, both of Trinity
College in Cambridge."
He goes on to say: "I advise you to be no Smatterer,
but a thorough-pac'd Wrestler, Perfect and Quick, in
breaking and taking all Holds; otherwise whene'er you
break a Hold, if you don't proceed sharply to give your
Adversary a Fall, according to the several following
Paragraphs, you're not better than one engag'd at
Sharps, who only parries his Adversary, but does not
pursue him with a binding and home Thrust."
The following warnings are especially worthy a
wrestler's attention: "Whoever would be a compleat
Wrestler, must avoid being overtaken in Drink, which
very much enervates, or being in a Passion at the sight
of his Adversary, or having receiv'd a Fall, in such
Cases he's bereav'd of his Senses, not being Master of
himself, is less of his Art, but sheweth too much Play,
or none at all, or rather pulleth, kicketh, and
ventureth beyond all Reason and his Judgment, when
himself.
_Foecundi calices quam non fecere Misellum._
That Man's a Fool that hopes for Good,
From flowing Bowls and fev'rish Blood."
He goes on to remark that sticking to these observations will enable a good
wrestler to "stand Champion longer for the Country, as appears by my Friend
Richard Allen of Hucknall, alias Green, (from his Grandfather, who educated
him) who has wore the Bays, and frequently won most Prizes, besides other
By-Matches, reign'd Champion of Nottinghamshire, and the Neighbouring
Counties for twenty Years at least, and about 8 Months before this was
Printed, he Wrestled for a small Prize, where at least twelve Couples were
Competitors, and without much Fatigue won it. Whoever understands
Wrestling, will ne'er call the Out-Play a safe and secure Play; besides the
Inn-Play will sooner secure a Man's Person, when Playing at Sharps, than
the Out, which ought to encourage Gentlemen to learn to wrestle."
In this learning to Wrestle our ingenious author--turned trainer--will
"admit no Hereditary Gouts, or Scrofulous Tumours; yet I'll readily accept
of Scorbutick Rheumatisms, because the Persons labouring under those
Maladies are generally strong and able to undergo the Exercise of
Wrestling. I am so curious in my Admission, I'll not hear of one Hipp'd and
out of Joint, a Valetudinarian is my Aversion, for I affirm, Martial (Lib.
vi. Ep. 54) is in the Right on't, _Non est vivere sed valere vita_: I
receive no Limberhams, no Darling Sucking-Bottles, who must not rise at
Midsummer, till eleven of the Clock, and that the Fire has air'd his Room
and Cloaths of his Colliquative Sweats, rais'd by high Sauces, and Spicy
forc'd Meats, where the Cook does the Office of the Stomach with the
Emetick Tea-Table, set out with Bread and Butter for's Breakfast: I'll
scarce admit a Sheep-Biter, none but Beef-Eaters will go down with me, who
have Robust, Healthy and Sound Bodies. This may serve as a Sketch of that
Person fit to make a Wrestler, by him who only desires a Place in your
Friendship."
The baronet's beau ideal of a Wrestler's bodily formation is just such as
we like to see in a northern ring. He "must be of a middle Size, Athletic,
full-breasted and broad shoulder'd, for Wind and Strength; Brawny-Leg'd and
Arm'd, yet clear-limb'd."
The following rules and regulations are--some of them especially--worthy
the consideration of those who are managers in our northern rings, at the
present time.
_Rules and Conditions, which were to be observ'd and
perform'd by all and every Gamester, who Wrestled for a
Hat of twenty-two Shillings Price; a free Prize, which
was given by Sir Thomas Parkyns of Bunny, Bart., for
fifteen Years successively. The Gamesters which were
allow'd to Wrestle for the aforesaid Prize, were to
have it, if fairly won, according to the following
Rules._
1. The two Gamesters that Wrestle together, shall be
fairly chosen by Lot, or Scrutiny, according to the
usual Practice.
2. The said two Gamesters shall Wrestle till one of
them be thrown three Falls, and he that is first thrown
three Falls shall go out, and not be allow'd to Wrestle
again for this Prize: And it is hereby ordered and
agreed, that he who first comes with two Joynts at once
to the Ground, (as Joynts are commonly reckon'd in
Wrestling) shall be reputed to be thrown a Fall.
3. No Gamester shall hire another to yield to him upon
any condition whatsoever; and if any such Practice be
discovered, neither of them shall be capable of the
Prize.
4. But he that stands the longest and is not thrown out
by any one, shall have the Prize, provided he does not
forfeit his right, by breach of these Rules; if he do,
the Gamester that stands the longest, and observes
these Rules, shall have it.
5. If any Differences shall happen concerning the
Wrestling, they shall be determined by two Men, which
shall be chosen by the most Voices of the Gamesters,
before they begin to Wrestle; and in case they can't
decide such Differences, then they shall be referr'd
solely to the Decision of the said Sir Thomas Parkyns
as UMPIRE.
6. He that Wins the Prize and Sells it, shall be
uncapable of Wrestling here any more.
7. That none shall have the Prize, that Wrestle with
Shoes that have any sort of Nails of Iron or Brass in
them.
8. He also that Winneth the Prize one Year, shall be
Excluded from Wrestling for it the Year following, but
the next year after that, viz. the third inclusive the
first, he may put in and Wrestle for the Prize again;
and ever after that, unless he shall Win a second
Prize, and from that time ever after Excluded.
Sir Thomas Parkyns, Bart, of Bunny Park, Nottinghamshire, the author of the
ingenious and singular work before us--from which we have quoted
largely--upon the Cornish Hugg, or Inn-Play Wrestling, was a man who did
not content himself with a mere theoretical knowledge of the art which he
professed mathematically to teach. There was scarcely a sinewy and
dangerous problem in his treatise, which he had not worked with his own
limbs upon the Nottinghamshire peasantry of 1705--when he was young, lusty,
and learned, and could throw a tenant, combat a paradox, quote Martial, or
sign a mittimus, with any man of his own age or country. He was, it will be
allowed, a skilful wrestler, a subtle disputant, and a fair scholar, with
certain eccentricities which he could afford to indulge in. He passed a
very reputable life; doing all the good he could to the peasantry of his
neighbourhood, both in body and mind; at once showing how to be strong and
enabling them to be happy.
Sir Thomas Parkyns was born about the year 1678--whether at his paternal
seat, Bunny Park, Nottinghamshire, or in London, we are unable to
collect--probably in London, as we find him early at Westminster school,
wrestling his way through the classics, under the celebrated Dr. Bushby.
The epigrams of Martial appear, first, to have led him to turn serious
thoughts towards wrestling--and he does not relish the poet the less for
finding that he himself practised this healthy art after his daily prayer
and family business.
From Westminster, Sir Thomas after a due course of little-to-do and Bushby,
went to Trinity College, Cambridge, and studied mathematics as we gather
afterwards for the chief purpose of making himself an accomplished
scientific wrestler. At the then celebrated place of learning, "Students,"
he says, "even at the Universities, give the Exercise of Wrestling, and lie
under a pecuniary Mulct for not appearing in the Summer evenings appointed
for that Exercise."
Happy and long was the life which Sir Thomas led at Bunny Park. A "bold
peasantry, its country's pride," by his advice and example grew up
gallantly around him. He gave prizes of small value, but large honour, to
be wrestled for on sweet midsummer eves upon the green levels of
Nottinghamshire, and he never felt so gratified with the scene as when he
saw one of his manly tenantry and the evening sun go down together. He
himself was no idle patron of these amusements--no delicate and timid
superintendent of popular sports, as our modern wealthy men for the most
part are; for he never objected to take the most sinewy man by the loins,
and try a fall for the gold-laced hat he himself contributed. His servants
were all upright, muscular, fine young fellows--civil but sinewy;
respectful at the proper hours, but yet capable also at the proper hour of
wrestling with Sir Thomas for the mastery; and never so happy or so well
approved as when one of them saw his master's two brawny legs going
handsomely over his head. Sir Thomas prided himself, indeed, in having his
coachman and footman lusty young fellows, that had brought good characters
for sobriety from their last places, and had laid him on his spine.[4]
Lord Thomas Manners, who learned the art of Broad-Sword exercise from Sir
Thomas Parkyns, thus addresses his master, on May 21st, 1720, from
Belvoir:--
"Happy is it for us that we have in this effeminate,
weak Age of powder'd Essence-Bottles, and Curled
Coxcombs, a Person of rough Manners, and a robust
Constitution; one that can stand upon his own Legs,
after Droves of those modern waxen Things have fallen
before him; one that instructs Englishmen to deserve
the Title, and teaches 'em to make their Broad-Swords
the Terror of all Europe. Men like you liv'd, when
Greece knew her happiest Days. It was a Spirit like
your's that instituted and supported the Olympic Games.
But when their luxurious Neighbours once taught 'em to
sleep till Twelve o' the Day, to pin up their Locks in
Papers, to come from the Boxes of their Chariots into
the Insides of 'em; to use Almond-Paste, and
Rose-Water; in short, to quit Roast-Beef, and Hasty
Pudding, for Soups and Ragouts; the Empire of the World
was taken from them, and translated to the tough,
sinewy Romans; and when they ceas'd to merit these
Epithets, their Eagle drooped her Wings, and the Brawny
Britons were the Favourites of Mars."
A fitting conclusion to the preceding notice of the much esteemed Bunny
Park baronet, will be come to by bestowing a passing notice on the
monumental memorial erected to his memory, in Broadmore church,
Nottinghamshire. The "ruling passion" is made apparent, even after death
had given Sir Thomas the last "Hugg." On one side of the monument he is
represented in wrestling attitude; on another he appears thrown a back fall
by Time. The following is a free translation of the Latin inscription:--
"Here lies, O Time! the victim of thy hand,
The noblest Wrestler on the British strand;
His nervous arm each bold opposer quell'd,
In feats of strength by none but thee excell'd;
Till springing up at the last trumpet's call,
He conquers thee, who, will have conquer'd all."