The History of the Jack

Although it may seem that the Jack would be a most natural part of the game of lawn bowling itself and that it would date as far back as the game, the term ‘jack’ actually has many different theories as to how it came to be in existence. The first time the term ‘jack’ has ever been documented was in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, which is believed to have been written in 1609. In this, Shakespeare writes, “Was there ever man had such luck! When I kissed the jack, upon an up-cast to be hit away.”

Others believe that the term ‘jack’ comes from the Latin term jactu lapidum, which refers to a sport in which stones were thrown at a target, thought to be what we know today to be the jack. 

Still yet another theory points to another writer, R. Pierce who wrote in 1967, “He had not strength to throw the Jack-Bowl half over the green.” In this theory, it’s thought that ‘jack’ is meant to refer to a lesser or smaller version of something else (such as a jackrabbit is a small rabbit.) Here, the Jack-Bowl would be a smaller version of the regular bowls.

The Sordid History of Lawn Bowling

Although lawn bowling is thought of today as a somewhat quiet and reserved sport, the history of the game is actually somewhat controversial and actually at one time, set certain classes apart from others. The game can actually be traced as far back as Ancient Egypt but history and research shows that the game was nothing more of a sport and a pastime for the early civilization and that they played a game of skittles using round stones. 

It wasn’t until the time of King Henry VIII that the game was used as a sort of class distinction. It was he who banned the game from those who were not rich or well-to-do because the commoners were beginning to spend far too much time enjoying the pastime instead of labouring at the work they were meant to do. King Henry also ordered that anyone who wished to play the game could only do so on their own private property, after building a private green. In addition to this expense, any person wishing to do this also had to pay the King a fee of £100.

It was during the time of King James I that this King wrote a book entitled The Book of Sports. In this book, he had harsh words for sports such as football and soccer but greatly encouraged the sport of bowls. In 1845, the game of lawn bowling was once again made available to anyone who wished to play the game.