please.
I understand you just had one of those annual events which change the history of your nation and put every citizen into a great excitement. I also understand that the following is something like:
“When they meet there is neither comparing of numbers, or matching of men; but a silver ball is cast up and that company which can catch, and carry it by force or sleight to the place assigned, gaineth the ball and victory. The Hurtlers take their next way over hills, dales, hedges, ditches, yea, and through bushes, briars, mires, plashes and river whatsoever: so as you shall sometimes see 20 or 30 lie tugging together in the water, scrambling and scratching for the ball. A play both rude and rough. The ball in this play may be compared to an infernal spirit, for whosoever catcheth it, fareth straighways like a mad man, struggling and fighting with those that go about to hold him. You shall see them retiring home as from a pitched battle, with bloody pates, bones broken and out of joint, and such bruises as serve to shorten their days; yet all is good play, and never Attorney or Coroner troubled.”
They did that sort of thing in Cornwall at the beginning of the 17th century. There’s nothing new under the sun.
Very good find! I have to say, you won't watching football unless ... well, now I don't know what would get me to watch. I suppose forced viewing by majority. I remember the cold, wet nights of sitting in the football stadium when Kevin was playing in high school, dreading every minute and wishing he had chosen drama instead. Only, in your quote, you mention never an attorney or coroner troubled. I wish we were so lucky with that part here.
ReplyDeleteFriko, I share your sentiment about the game. So much hype for people who make so much money. They did put on a good performance last night, however.
ReplyDeleteI have no interest and use the day to catch up on things without crowds. It is a ridiculous tradition of tax subsidized over-hyped ceremony and overly patriotic fluff.
ReplyDeleteI do have to laugh at that description. You are right; there's nothing new under the sun. At last football season is over in the US, and I for one am glad for it. Not that I didn't want OUR team to win, but they gave us a good game at any rate. :-)
ReplyDeleteI watched football, baseball and basketball when my boys were young to expose them to the games. When they became teen's they preferred soccer, and hockey, so we watched that. Now that they are grown men, I will probably only take my grandsons to minor league baseball, as it is the only game I really enjoy. Mostly, we watch the games with friends in public places because the interaction of the crowds is usually entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThat description is so funny! Have to admit I watched the game last night to the very end...only dozing off twice. For some unknown reason I've come to like football and basketball in my 'older' age. People around here do tend to go a little crazy! I don't go to games. I don't like those big crowds. I watch at home.
ReplyDeleteOh ... I thought you were talking about soccer!
ReplyDeleteThe annual event did not change anything for me. I watched Downton Abbey.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
There was a game last night? Not on MY television. It's devoid of sports. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis was a great read. I did watch the game, or at least the last half with my hubby and his daughter. I fixed dinner for all of us and we ate during the first half of the game without watching what was going on. I did enjoy the game. I am a football fan, but I don't like to watch it every weekend. I also enjoy watching live basketball games, hockey, and baseball games.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy that quote! American expats here were wildly asking each other which bars were screening the whatever it was...I'm winding myself up for the cricket.
ReplyDeleteMy old Portuguese grandpa said it best when I was a child and uncles took him to the only football game he'd ever seen, "Man blow leetle whistle; ev'body fall down!" I have never been able to improve upon his description.
ReplyDeleteA great snippet from the past. Not much has changed. I'm not a fan of American (or Canadian) football (and they are different). We're not fans of organized sports in this household.
ReplyDeleteWe are loyal Green Bay Packer fans here in Wisconsin - the team is noted for having the strongest fan base in the NFL. Since they were not in the Super Bowl, I naturally remained on schedule with the weekly Downton Abbey episode which I adore. As much as everyone loves football, most people agree the players earn way too much $$$ and a number of them feel they are above the law. Compared to worldwide soccer fans though, we are quite tame.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear, taylorsoutback! :)
DeleteIt was a ritual in our house when I was growing up in the 1950s -- I always joined my dad in watching the Packers play. Lombardi, and all that. I still have a fondness for the Packers, though I never, ever will wear one of those silly Cheese Heads.
DeleteThat's a great quote you found. The game and sports get sillier and sillier
ReplyDeleteit is something like that...ridiculous at times...even had a big brawl at the end...
ReplyDeleteas i said, ridiculous...i watched but a few moments...
it was the cheaters against the arrogant...
the cheaters won...
the arrogant cried and blamed each other...
and we are spared until fall....
Some traditions causing bodily injury last for centuries. The only thing I watch is the halftime show (half heartedly).
ReplyDeleteYou bring wonderful perspective to mundane things out of your historical treasures.
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
<3
I guess you would be speaking of the Stupid Bowl...?
ReplyDeleteNever anything new under the sun, yes. I have never understood how running around and getting hurt is fun.
Yes and all American blogs are full of this event ! It's like the World Cup in our football ! I don't like football, and this American Football is not very well known here. Good to know that it was probably imported to the States from someone living in Cornwall :) !
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't sound any more unwatchable than tennis or golf . In fact , interminable snooker matches might be improved by the addition of a couple of singing sharks .
ReplyDeleteI used to watch, and even would attend a Super Bowl party now and then. Over the past five years, my interest has waned, perhaps because I'm not fond of hype in any arena of play, and it has gotten a bit over the top. A lot over the top, actually.
ReplyDeleteI spent the whole of Sunday afternoon and evening with my German immigrant friends, trying to understand why they'd build on the low lands. :-)
About 20 years ago, I became interested in football. It lasted a year or two and then I moved on. Now I celebrate "the Big Game" with a party of 25 friends. It is an excuse to get together during the darkest days of winter to eat, drink and be merry. The men and some women watch the Superball and the rest of us hang out in the kitchen and have a wonderful gab fest.
ReplyDeleteit just goes to show what men considered important when the first piece of protective equipment in football was not for their brain but for their dick.
ReplyDeleteNo its not new, but many people still love it. I don't, I'd rather read a good book. My second husband was a football player and later a coach. Everything I ever wanted to know about football left with him.
ReplyDeleteNo excitement here. I could care less. LOL! ;) But the competition of sports of some kind has gone on and on for centuries...just like war. I don't understand either. ;)
ReplyDeleteJust to give you a small idea how far out of Americana mainstream I am, I couldn't for the life of me figure out to what sporting event you were referring. I'd like to say it's the head cold that's been dogging me for a week, but I know better. It was only, natch, when looking at the New York Times' music section that I realized you must be referring to what we oh so jocularly refer to in our house as the Super Bowel. Adding to my own questions about this annual exercise, I also cannot, for the life of me, understand why the half-time show is considered such big news . . .
ReplyDeleteFriko, I fled the Virginia enthusiasm for football (mostly of the high school and university level) when I moved to NYC. It was a decision I have never regretted.
ReplyDeletexo
I missed out on the sports watching gene, somehow . . . but the event you describe might hold my attention.
ReplyDeleteSums it up pretty well. Stopping by from Terra's.
ReplyDeleteha,ha - well done - I loved it and hurrah to you. I didn't watch game - we have no TV here. Instead, We dawned our outdoor gear yesterday and set aboot raking the roof of the house, barn and mini barn. I did the two small barns and then helped with the big roof. The snow on the back roof of the house was well above my waist. You know what - its the most interesting sound when snow comes sliding down the roof once encouraged with a snow rake. There is almost a gutterable rumble and then A MIGHTY BIG THUMP when it hits the ground. It is a sound that amazes me and captures my attention. I don't know that you have ever heard the sound of moving snow like that - perhaps you have, but its really sharpens your ears. Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteLOL that description is uncannily accurate, I'm afraid I must admit :)
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ReplyDeleteNot this citizen. I was home with my boyfriend making cioppino. Football bores me to tears.
ReplyDeleteAha! Nothing new under the sun. This is one American who does not like football, does not understand it, and feels it is much ado about nothing with pay scales that are a sin. There. I feel better. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Friko - sounds like you hit the button on the kick-off head .. loved the description of the Cornish Hurtlers ... I can quite believe it - and quite understand why it's not attempted now - no stamina ... even though your sitting in Olympic land ... cheers Hilary
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