Page "Bowls" Paragraph 5

As the game grew in popularity, it came under the ban of king and parliament, both fearing it might jeopardise the practice of archery, then so important in battle.

Statutes forbidding it and other sports were enacted in the reigns of Edward III, Richard II and other monarchs.

Even when, on the invention of gunpowder and firearms, the bow had fallen into disuse as a weapon of war, the prohibition was continued.

The discredit attaching to bowling alleys, first established in London in 1455, probably encouraged subsequent repressive legislation, for many of the alleys were connected with taverns frequented by the dissolute and gamesters.

The word " bowls " occurs for the first time in the statute of 1511 in which Henry VIII confirmed previous enactments against unlawful games.

By a further act of 1541 — which was not repealed until 1845 — artificers, labourers, apprentices, servants and the like were forbidden to play bowls at any time except Christmas, and then only in their master's house and presence.

It was further enjoined that any one playing bowls outside his own garden or orchard was liable to a penalty of 6s.

8d., while those possessed of lands of the yearly value of £ 100 might obtain licences to play on their own private greens.