History of bowls
The origins of the game
Although modern day bowls is typically associated with the Middle Ages, there are certain fragments of evidence to suggest a far greater lineage. Archaeologists have postulated that certain games in the Stone Age involved ‘bowling’ rounded rocks to a peg, and the famous English digger Sir Flinders Petrie has identified links with the Egyptian practice of skittles (which used round stones) through artefacts found in tombs dating back to 5000BC. Furthermore, there is proof that the Italian variation of Bocci was played by the Romans, as well as similar Aztec, Indigenous American and Ancient Chinese practices.
That said, the recorded history of the game is typically associated with 13th century England, despite possible coded references to an early version in 12th century London involving ‘casting the stones’. This conforms with all extant evidence such as the oldest surviving bowling green still in use, found in Southampton and dating back to 1299, and a drawing of two participants in Windsor, Berkshire. A 14th century Book of Prayers gives a sense of what the early forms of the game were like, with possibly another bowl used as a jack, both players delivering just one ball (made of wood and without any bias) and no set technique laid down on how to bowl properly (shots of players stooping, kneeling or using something in-between the two stances).
The ‘dangerous game’ of bowls!
The popularity of the game, like football in its mob era, is reflected by the many statutes emanating from king and Parliament ordering its prohibition. Efforts were made in 1361 under Edward III, in 1388 under Richard II and in 1409 under Henry IV, all out of fear for the possible ramifications for archery, which was then vital to the military. Ironically, the first mention of the term ‘bowls’ is found in one such document of 1511 during the reign of Henry VIII. Nevertheless, concessions were made, most notably in an order which lasted from 1541 to 1845 which permitted the lower orders to play on Christmas and tolerated private greens (if a license was purchased for the grand sum of £100).
Bowls’ continued popularity during this period, particularly among the highest circles, is today confirmed by the most famous (and possibly apocryphal) story involving the game. On July 18th 1588, Sir Francis Drake was enjoying a game at Plymouth Hoe when he was alerted to the Spanish Armada’s approach. Rather than rush off though, Drake made the famous remark that ‘we still have time to finish the game and thrash the Spaniards too!’. Although he (somewhat humorously) lost the bowls match, the Spaniards did indeed suffer a beating, with Drake as the second-in-command.
Just how seriously the attempts at prohibition were taken is questionable at best, as the format of the game was radically developed in the following centuries. Indeed, bias in the bowl was supposedly introduced in 1522 courtesy of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, who, when his bowl broke in half, stuck on one side of an ornamental ball. This replacement was subsequently one part flat, producing the sort of curved trajectory which is pivotal to the game today. Moreover, the Jack was a development of the early 17th century, the name meaning a smaller version of something else (hence ‘Jack-bowl’).
Such innovations were matched by change in culture during the reign of James I and, in particular, the publication of Francis Willughby’s Book of Sports, which encouraged the practice of bowls. Coupled with the prior development of gunpowder, which alleviated the burden on armies to train or find archers, the path was clear for the further expansion of the game.
Creating the sport
The actual laws of the game came about as a result of developments in Scotland. A meeting held in Glasgow in 1848 was attended by clubs across Britain and saw the establishment of standardised Laws, which were then drawn up by a W.W. Mitchell. The Scottish Bowling Association, formed in 1892, took on board these laws a year later, as did the English Bowling Association, founded in 1903 under the Presidency of a certain Dr. W.G. Grace.
Codifying a set of Laws was pivotal to spreading bowls worldwide. This was achieved two years later with the creation of the International Bowling Board. Initially composed of just Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales, the Board quickly increased its membership thanks to the entry of Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa in 1928. With a list of rules in place and an international community developing, the idea of bowls as a genuine competitive sport became a reality, laying the foundations for further developments which can be seen today.