60 MR HARDY ON BOWLING. 



crofts being free from obstructions, and within the view of their dwel- 

 lings, they might bo preferred by the gamesome youth to celebrate 

 their festivities — 



*' To chase the rolling circle's speed, 

 Or urge the flying ball." 



Loiterers too, and shepherds from the neighbouring Coldingham common, 

 might stroll in, and the keen spirit of rivalry which the presence of 

 strangers prompted might give rise to a contest, in which each comba- 

 tant might consider himself honoured in bearing an active part, — and 

 gainer or loser, — might signalize the time spent there, by some feat of 

 merit, which in future years the garrulity of age would complacently 

 recount, — 



" and still be proud 



To find the triumphs of its youth allowed. — Cuabbe.* 



It is not unworthy of remark, that a British camp existed in the 

 same field, which probably furnished part of the materials, out of which 



* Since writing the above, I have met with two passages cited in Ellis's Specimens, 

 illustrative of the conjecture here thrown out. The first is from Wace, one of the 

 early romance writers, who, about IIGO, in the reign of Henry II., wrote in French 

 Le Brut D^ Angleterre. This was a translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's History 

 of Britain, which, again, is supposed to be derived from Tyssilio, a Welsh bard of a 

 more remote period. (Turner's Hist, of the Anglo-Saxons, vol. i.) In this work, 

 he is describing the sports that attended the coronation of King Arthur. After men- 

 tioning various games as being celebrated, he says, 



" Li autre alerent e cremir, 

 Ou pierres getier, ou saillir." 



Layamon, a Saxon ecclesiastic, made a vernacular version of this poem, about 1180. 

 In rendering this passage, he amplifies it in such a manner as to leave no doubt, that 

 the " pierres getier" (stone-throwing) of Wace was the game now called bowling. 



♦* Siimme heo driven balles 

 Wide geond the feldcs." 



(Some they drove balls, wide over the fields.) Besides the antiquity these passages 

 assign to the game, they unfold the estimation in which this now degraded sport was 

 held in former times. Then it was ranked indiscriminately with archery, running, 

 leaping, dart-throwing, wrestling, jousting, sword-game, and other honourable re- 

 creations. And the spectators, besides the many-voiced multitude, were kings, with 

 their liege-men of every grade, '' bothe least and maist," ** biscopes, clarckes, eorles, 

 beornes, theines, and sweines ;" while, to enhance the festive mii-th, the eye of beauty 

 " shed its selectest influence," as the queens present, and all the ladies, leaned over 

 the walls to view the assembled nobles, " and that folk play." And when victory 

 was achieved, it was royalty itself that distributed the prizes. 



" And wha swa mihte iwenne 

 Wnrthsdpe of his gomenc. 



