Sports and Pastimes of the People of England, The; from the Earliest Period, Including the Rural and Domestic Recreations, May Games, Mummeries, Pageants, Processions and Pompous Spectacles, Illustrated By Reproductions from Ancient Paintings

Bath, England: Firecrest, 1969. Oversize Hardback. Fine/Near Fine. XL. Book is in excellent condition in heavy weave tan HB covers, gilt over red at spine. Binding is solid and square, covers have sharp corners with a very light bump to lower front, exterior shows no blemishes, text/interior is clean and free of marking of any kind. Dust jacket shows the slightest signs of shelf wear only, no tears, price clipped, now wrapped in clear protective cover. 322 pages on high quality heavy white paper, reprinted form 1903. Rare by this publisher. Full page Author illustration opposite title page, Illustrated by one hundred and forty engravings, in which are represented most of the popular diversions; selected from ancient paintings. ""This book is a key source for information on leisure time activities in 'Olde England,' including sports, hunting, games, dancing, gymnastics, music, festivals including Christmas and May Day and customs such as Mumming, The Boy Bishop, and The Lord of Misrule, Horse Racing, Slinging of Stones, Hand Ball, Archery, Dancing, Tumbling, Balancing, Jugglers, Juggling, Bowling, Tennis, Bat and ball, Jousts, Tricks Taught to Horeses, Animals Imitated, Quintain, Tilting, Kayles, Cards, Chess,. It answers questions such as ""How do you score a joust?,"" ""When did feral wolves become extinct in Britain?,"" and ""How much do you pay the piper?"" And what is Shakespeare talking about when he mentions Shove-Groat or Nine Men's Morris? (The modern equivalents are shuffleboard and tic-tac-toe). Included are numerous quotes from original documents and dozens of plates based on period illustrations. Strutt also documents the constant conflict between popular culture and the religious and secular powers.""