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Origin The games were organized in 1612 during the reign of James I of England on Dover's Hill in the town of Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. The games were originally organized by attorney Robert Dover as a protest against the growing Puritanism of the day. These sports were referred to by contemporary writers as "Mr. Robert Dovers Olimpick Games upon the Cotswold Hills". The games were held on Thursday and Friday of Whit-Week, or the week of Whitsuntide, which would normally fall around the middle of May to the middle of June. They continued for many years until about the time of Dover's death. The games were quite a spectacle for the day. Robert Dover presided over the games on horseback, dressed ceremonially in a coat, hat, feather and ruff, that originally belonged to the king. Horses and men were abundantly decorated with yellow ribbons (Dover's colour), and he was duly honoured by all as king of their sports for a series of years. Tents were erected for the gentry, who came in numbers from all quarters, and refreshments were supplied in abundance. Tables stood in the open air, or cloths were spread on the ground, for the common folk. None ever hungry from these games come home, Or e'er make plaint of viands or of room; He all the rank at night so brave dismisses, With ribands of his favour and with blisses. —from Annalia Dubrensia Mounted cannons were fired off to begin the events. Competitors were summoned to the hillside by the sound of a hunting horn, and there took part in various sports. Seventeenth-century fights, whether for sport or anger, sometimes resulted in maiming or death. In a fight between Sir German Poole and a Mr. Hutchinson, Poole cut off three of Hutchinson's fingers before he had even drawn his sword. In revenge Hutchinson sliced off Poole's nose, picked it up, pocketed it and went off with it so that it could not be sewn on again. It was the mean attitude in taking away the slice of nose, not the fact that it was cut off in the first place, which made this particular contest the subject of gossip. The prizes for these activities included not only silver trophies but also yellow favours which as many as 500 contestants could win. The games were very popular throughout England and attracted visitors from all strata of society. Some people reportedly travelled up to 60 miles to see the games. The king himself had heartily approved and supported the games. Earlier, in his popular book of advice to his son, Basilikon Doron (1599) he said that in order to promote good feeling among the common people towards their king, "certain days in the year would be appointed, for delighting the people with public spectacles of all honest games, and exercise of arms". Events The games included horse racing and coursing and several field events. These field events included many trials of skill and strength: jumping, wrestling, shin kicking, sword-play, cudgel-play, and throwing the sledgehammer and bar. The arts of music and dancing also were celebrated. There were favours for playing pipes, for singing and for country dancing. Chess was played in the tents. Revival Interest in the games remained and they were revived some years later — dates uncertain — after the Restoration. By the middle of the 18th century the games were well established and once again quite popular. The games became known as Dover's Meeting and included games such as backsword-fighting. The prizes varied from gold rings and belts to laced hats and shoes. The English poet William Somervile gave a lively account of the games in his "Hobbinol, or the Rural Games" in 1740. The poet and writer Richard Graves also wrote about the games in his picaresque novel The Spiritual Quixote in 1773. The writers dramatized the wrestling and cudgel-playing and the enthusiasm for the smock race by healthy young country wenches for a Holland shift displayed on a pole. The robust nature of the 18th century games troubled some local people such as the Minister of Stow-on-the-Wold, but the games flourished, in 1797 being "attended by a vast concourse of people". Two 19th-century flyers to announce the "Meetings": On Thursday in Whit-week, On that Highly-renowned and universally admired spot called Dover's Hill, Near Chipping Campden. Glos. The sports will commence with a grand match of Backswords for a purse of guineas, To be played by 9 or 7 men on a side. Each side must appear in the ring by 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Or 15s. each pair will be given for as many as will play. Wrestling for belts and others prizes. Also Jumping in bags and dancing. And a Jingling Match for 10s. 6d. As well as divers others of celebrated Cotswold and Olympic games, for which this annual meeting, has been famed for centuries. T. Chamberlaine, Steward. R. Andrews, Clerk. On Thursday in the Witsuntide Week. Upon that highly-celebrated spot called Dover's Hill, Near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. The Sports of this ancient and distinguished meeting will commence with A match of Backswords by men for a purse of Twelve Guineas, To be played for as shall be agreed upon, and to begin play at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. To be succeeded by Wrestling for liberal prizes. Also Dancing, Jingling, Bowling, and Running in Sacks, With an endless variety of the renowned Olympic Games and Manly Diversions, which are too well known to require a description. And on Friday the sports will commence with a Pony Race for a Handsome Prize, To be run for by Poneys not more than Twelve Hands High; the best of three Heats; not less then three to start; to start precisely at four o'clock in the afternoon. To be followed by Backsword Playing, Together with a multiplicity of Athletic Exercises and the noted Cotswold Sports, which have been peculiar to this meeting for centuries. No person will be permitted to erect a Booth on the Hill, to sell any sort of beverage, without previously paying fifteen shillings to the Conductors of the Sports. A main of Cocks will be fought each morning at Mr. Thos. Smith's, Hare and Hounds Inn, in Campden, between the Gentlemen of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, to begin at ten o'clock. Also good Ordinaries. Plays, Balls, and Concerts each day as usual. On Saturday a Wake will be held in Campden, with variety of amusements. Chipping Campden, April 23rd, 1821. William Chamberlain and Co., Conductors. The great popularity of the games eventually led to their suspension when they began to attract great crowds of the "riff-raff of society" and the games became too rowdy for the local people to withstand. The final year of the games was at Whitsuntide in 1852. Present day In 1963 the Games were once again re-established and continue to the present day. The games are an annual celebration in the Cotswolds and attract thousands of visitors to Dover's Hill. The Robert Dover’s Games Society was founded in 1965 to promote the games. A 21st century "Robert Dover" appears, suitably attired on horseback, to open the games. A trumpeter heralds the appearance of hounds which sweep across the natural arena, and two bands display their skills. Local teams compete in rural events and tugs-of-war for shields and cups, while wrestlers show their abilities. After dusk a huge bonfire is lit and there is a fireworks display. A torchlight procession moves from Dover’s Hill to the square in Chipping Campden, where community singing, pageantry and dancing provide entertainment until the early hours of the following morning. Sources The Olympic Games today, however, have turned into a predominantly alcohol based festival, with many of the locals reveling in what can only be described as pure debauchery. A group has emerged at the forefront of this activity, calling itself 'The Jolly Roger', with its cries of 'Rowdy' and various obscenities. The group was believed to be formed during the summer of 2004, by 'The Captain', 'The First Mate', 'Crow's Nest', 'Slave Driver', 'Dr. Che' and 'The Cook', with each new member being assigned a specific role on board the 'ship'. Other dominant members of the group go by the alias' of 'The Legendary Boozehound', 'Baggott', 'Ship's New Romantic' and 'Crow's Nest II aka Head Boy' The crew appear to have moved south, primarily to central and south west London, with other members in Oxford, Bangor, Warwick and Moreton-In-Marsh, and meet up sporadically for social events in the Cotswolds and South Warwickshire. | ||||||||||
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