A Quick Walk Through Bowls History
Many people just focus on the current game they are playing when they are out there on the bowling green. If you take a minute to think about the history of the sport, though, you might be surprised at how little you actually know about it. Here at Jack and Bowl, we are keen bowlers and lovers of the game. Along with being your trusted supplier of Drakes Pride bowls, we also know a fair bit about the history of the game. So here is a quick journey through time, from bowls’ origins all the way through to the present day.
Ancient origins
Bowls seems like such a quintessentially British sport, so it might surprise you to learn that it didn't originate here. Although it looked very different to the game we play today, with stone balls and sticks, not to mention being played on dirt instead of grass, there is artificial evidence of bowls being played in Ancient Egypt. The game then spread to Ancient Greece and Rome, and it is the Roman version that most closely resembles the game we play today. Considering Britain was a part of the Roman Empire for nearly 400 years, that makes sense.
Growing popularity
Bowls continued to become more and more popular in the centuries following Roman rule. In fact, there was a ban placed on commoners playing it in the Middle Ages for fear that it would distract men from learning archery, something that was hugely valuable in battle in such volatile times. It was played widely by the upper classes, though, with Henry VIII being one of its biggest fans!
The strictness of bans on playing bowls lessened over time, although it wasn’t until 1845 that all restrictions were finally lifted! That’s certainly a far cry from the clean-cut image that bowls has today.
Moving on
The Manual of Bowls Playing was published in 1864, and it was around this time that the game that we all know and love really began to resemble what it is today. Bowling associations were formed, and from the inception of the Commonwealth Games in 1930, it has been one of the core sports played.
Bowls today
If you were to tell someone from the past how huge a sport bowls is today, they may not believe you! It is played all over the world and attracts big audiences both in person and watching at home on TV. The equipment used has become more and more advanced, too, from the bowls themselves all the way through to high-performance clothing. That’s a far cry from its days in Ancient Egypt, that’s for sure!
Here to help you
As you can see, bowls has a pretty interesting history. Did you know much about how the game started, or did the above surprise you a little? Whether you are new to the history of bowls or not, we’re here to supply you with all you need to take your own game to the next level.
