History of Bowls

[John]

Hi All Bowlers,

Coming to the bit of the year of 'in between seasons' our indoor club leagues are nearly finishing, last night we had a quiz night at the club, including the new rules, also the history of the game.

A bit of History for 1 question the answer was;

King Henry VIII was also a lawn bowler. However, he banned the game for those who were not wealthy or "well to do" because "Bowyers, Fletchers, Stringers and Arrowhead makers" were spending more time at recreational events such as bowls instead of practicing their trade. Henry VIII requested that anybody who wished to keep a green pay a fee of 100 pounds. However, the green could only be used for private play and he forbade anyone to "play at any bowle or bowles in open space out of his own garden or orchard".

King James I issued a publication called "The Book of Sports" and, although he condemned football (soccer) and golf, encouraged the play of bowls. In 1845, the ban was lifted, and people were again allowed to play bowls and other games of skill.

Never knew it had caused such controversy in the past, these days with falling numbers its hard to get people to take up the sport!!!

[Angel]

Really Interesting I never knew anything about this particular subject, only thing which seems to be well know is about Sir Francis Drake playing Bowls,
The Bowlers down my Club are still trying to master this sport goes to show after hundreds of years Bowls is still be popular.
Anyone know who really invented the game of lawn bowls

Angel:rolleyes:

[wrong bias]

some of the members at my club played with francis drake,,,well they look old enough:pi,ll get my coat:(

[E T]

How cruel, Wrong Bias, think the rest of Drakes crew must be at my club!!

Many of them seem to be in their second childhood, especially when change is involved.

Good to hear from you, fishing must be a bit cold at the moment!!8-)

[edinburghump]

How cruel, Wrong Bias, think the rest of Drakes crew must be at my club!!

Many of them seem to be in their second childhood, especially when change is involved.

Good to hear from you, fishing must be a bit cold at the moment!!8-)

I think with some of the guys I end up playing against its more like their third childhood!

[wrong bias]

How cruel, Wrong Bias, think the rest of Drakes crew must be at my club!!

Many of them seem to be in their second childhood, especially when change is involved.

Good to hear from you, fishing must be a bit cold at the moment!!8-)not catching much at all.seem to be working all the time:(
and its very cold at the moment,,,,,,roll on summer

[E T]

not catching much at all.seem to be working all the time:(
and its very cold at the moment,,,,,,roll on summer

Used to play golf about 15 years ago, got the clubs from the loft this year and started again, forgot how cold our winters are.
Played 3 times a week for a couple of months but have conceded its TOO COLD for me and appreciate the warmth of indoor bowls.
In the summer enjoy out door bowls more than indoor so not enough free time to consider Summer golf.

Don't work too hard!!!:(

[Del]

Too cold these days, don't know if it's me but I seem to get colder in winter, indoor bowling is fine for me, love the warmth, but still prefer it outdoors providing it's not raining!!

[keith]

Hi Del,

Mate of mine just sent me on the bit of History below;

Bowls historians believe that the game developed from the Egyptians. One of their pastimes was to play skittles with round stones. This has been determined based on artefacts found in tombs dating circa 5,000 B.C. The sport spread across the world and took on a variety of forms, Bocce (Italian), Bolla (Saxon), Bolle (Danish), Boules (French) and Ula Maika (Polynesian). The oldest Bowls green still played on is in Southampton, England where records show that the green has been in operation since 1299 A.D. There are other claims of greens being in use before that time, but these are, as yet, unsubstantiated

Wouldn't want a game in Egypt at the moment!!!

[Hooker]

Good to read about how 'bowls' started, always thought it was something to do with Francis Drake!!

Am well into bowls these days after initial disappointments and frustrations getting some consistency in my game (most days)....:wink:

[pops]

No I would give Egypt a miss as well got some friends who have booked a holiday later on they were going to travel up the Nile on one of the small boats,
They are seriously thinking of canceling problem is they will lose all their money,
Sounds like the only good thing to come out of Egypt is the game of Bowls useful bit of information might come in handy down the pub when its quiz night,