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OLD ENGLISH SPORTS

Pastimes and Customs

BY

P.H. DITCHFIELD, M.A.

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY; RECTOR OF BARKHAM, BERKSHON. SEC. OF BERKS ARCHÆOLOGICAL SOCIETYETC.

First published by Methuen & Co., 1891

TOLady RussellTHIS BOOK IS DEDICATED WITH THE AUTHOR'SKINDEST REGARDS.

PREFACE.

Encouraged by the kind reception which his former book, Our EnglishVillages, met with at the hands of both critics and the public, theauthor has ventured to reproduce in book-form another series ofarticles which have appeared during the past year in the pages ofThe Parish Magazine. He desires to express his thanks to CanonErskine Clarke for kindly permitting him to reprint the articles,which have been expanded and in part rewritten. The Sports andPastimes of England have had many chroniclers, both ancient andmodern, amongst whom may be mentioned Strutt, Brand, Hone, Stow, andseveral others, to whose works the writer is indebted for muchvaluable information.

The object of this book is to describe, in simple language, theholiday festivals as they occurred in each month of the year; andthe sports, games, pastimes, and customs associated with these ruralfeasts. It is hoped that such a description may not be withoutinterest to our English villagers, and perhaps to others who lovethe study of the past. Possibly it may help forward the revival ofthe best features of old village life, and the restoration of someof those pleasing customs which Time has deprived us of. The writeris much indebted to Mr. E.R.R. Bindon for his very careful revisionof the proof-sheets.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

JANUARY

Dedication Festivals—New Year's Day—"Wassail"—TwelfthNight—"King of the Bean"—St. Distaffs Day—PloughMonday—Winter Games—Skating—Sword-dancing

1

CHAPTER II.

FEBRUARY.

Hunting—Candlemas Day—St. Blaize's Day—Shrove-tide—