stoolball

Nothing (Mr Norman would back him up) was more refreshing or character building than a good game of football or cricket and, for young ladies, netball, hockey or stoolball. John Norman nodded vigorously.

These games include stoolball, which dates back to the 11th century, where one player would throw a ball at a target while an opposing player defended the target.

Camilla - born on July 17 1947, the daughter of an Army major who won two Military Crosses in the Second World War - grew up a keen sportswoman, playing hockey and a quaint old Sussex game called stoolball.

In 1601, the archdeacon of Lincoln's court excommunicated the churchwardens of Keelby "for sufferinge vnlawfull games to be vsed in the church yard on the sabboth daies." Similar presentments concerning use of churchyards are recorded at Bonby (for football), Great Hale (for baiting a bull with dogs), Hougham (for unspecified playing and for a cockfight), Nettleton (for unspecified unlawful games), Stamford (for stoolball and other sports), and Wainfleet St.

I saw people playing stoolball in the meadow: they appeared sunk far down on a flat board; & the downs raised high up, & mountainous round them.

I've found some pictures of stoolball teams from 1949 and 1950 and we'll publish them, come what may, next week.