First an introduction to the fine game of Bowls. One of the best known historical references to the sport it that of Sir Francis Drake. On the 18th July 1588 he was apparently engaged in a game at Plymouth Hoe when he was informed of the Spanish Armada approaching England. He is reported to have said "We still have time to finish the game and thrash the Spaniards too." By all accounts he went on to lose the game but history shows the ensuing battle against the Armada was somewhat more successful. Whether things happened quite like this is heavily debated!
The fact Sir Francis was partaking of the game would tend to confirm that Bowls was already an established activity by the late 1500's.
Historians believe that Bowls actually emanated from Egypt, developing from pastimes dating back as far as 5000 BC. As the sport spread across what we now know as Europe it took on numerous variations including Bocce in Italy, Bolla in Saxony, Bolle in Denmark, Boules in France and Ula Maika in Polynesia.
It is unclear exactly when the game of Bowls (or an earlier cousin) crossed the channel but the age of the game can once again be appreciated in Southampton with the aptly named Old Green Bowls Club (1299 A.D.). The club claims to be the oldest bowling green in England which is still played on. Other unsubstantiated claims exist of greens being in use before this time.
Interestingly, Bowls was a cherished pastime of Kings throughout the ages and a game that merited close scrutiny. It is thought that Bowls was regarded in old England much like football is today. Numerous statutes emanated from Kings and Parliament throughout the ages resulting in its prohibition. Fear was felt about the effect this recreation would have on the tradesmen (bow makers, fletchers, stingers and arrowhead makers) who were spending too much time enjoying themselves while the Realm and it's army depended upon their productivity.
Efforts were made to ban the sport in 1361 under Edward III, in 1388 under Richard II and in 1409 under Henry IV out of fear for the effect on archery.
Henry VIII was a bowler. He forbad the playing of the game by anybody other than the wealthy in an attempt to combat the lack of productivity amongst tradesmen who were supposed to be making bows and arrows for his armies rather than enjoying this fine recreation.
Concessions were eventually made and in an order which lasted from 1541 to 1845 lower orders were permitted to play at Christmas. It also seems that Henry VIII devised a tax of £100 (a colossal sum in those days) for anybody who proposed to keep a bowling green. He went on to limit the playing of Bowls by declaring a Bowling Green could only be used for private play forbidding anyone to "play at any bowle or bowles in open space out of his own garden or orchard."
In the following centuries it would seem the game radically developed. The Duke of Suffolk, a gentleman by the name of Charles Brandon, supposedly introduced a bias in the bowl in 1522 when his bowl fell in two and he stuck half of an ornamental ball to it. The unusual slightly flattened shape caused the bowl to roll with a curved trajectory which is fundamental to the game we know today.
It is thought that the 'Jack' was a 17th century development - jack meaning a smaller version of something, hence jack-bowl.
Oddly enough, the invention of gunpowder had a positive effect on the development of Bowls as a game. As armies no longer needed to train archers or engage the services of associated tradesmen Bowls became less of an issue with Monarchs and Parliaments.
By the reign of James I culture had changed to such an extent that Francis Willughby's 'Book of Sports' actually encouraged the practice of Bowls.
In 1848 the first talks about forming a National Governing Body were held in Glasgow involving some 200 clubs from around the UK. The meeting failed to conclude matters but did reach agreement that a common set of Laws was necessary. Laws of the game were eventually drawn up at a meeting held in Glasgow the following year. Twice President of The Willow Bank Bowling Club in Glasgow Mr W.W. Mitchell formed a small committee that managed to agree a complete set of Laws which were adopted by clubs and adhered to for many years. Laws of the game were eventually published as a manual in 1864.
The Scottish Bowling Association who formed in 1892 adopted these Laws a short time later, as did the English Bowls Association that was founded in 1903 with the legendary cricketer W.G. Grace as president.
The creation of a set of Laws was the foundation the game needed to spread worldwide. The International Bowling Board was originally created with member countries comprising Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. Today it is a truly worldwide competitive sport enjoyed by all age groups with no barriers for gender, ethnicity, ability or disability. Bowls is a sport than can genuinely be enjoyed by everybody.
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