The Beginning of Boxing in Britain, 1300–1700

Books about boxing, a form of competition based on blows with the fist, have been published regularly over past two hundred years. The British Library, for example, currently lists 1,400 works held there, including solid academic by writers such as Kasia Boddy, Dennis Brailsford, Elliott Gorn, and Jeffrey Sammons. Boxing aficionados also International Research Organization, founded in 1982 hope establishing more accurate history boxing application rules scholarly research. vast bulk this research focuses “modern” “pugilism/prizefighting,” or fist fighting ancient world. Articles book reviews referring to Journal Sport History followed similar pattern.Arly Allen's book, however, tackles very different challenging topic. He sets out explore beginnings Britain period between 1300 1700 CE, although some references forward backward time. background is publishing, but, since retirement, he has turned study history, writing 2017 heavyweight champion Jess Willard several articles.Adopting longue durée approach challenging. Very little written topic way. Sources print are fewer number need careful handling. Conclusions hypotheses can often only be tentative, given limited previous expertise medieval life textual criticism required. As Henning Eichberg others argued, sports all particular specific society time, so many apparent similarities superficial. Many activities likely practice principle their cultural meanings.Despite caveats, there much that useful book. It employs wide range primary secondary sources, material from manuscripts. Allen clearly read widely, leading journals. His notes detailed, bibliography includes around 400 items. In defining “sport,” draws partially Norbert Elias, but generally conceptualizes it “play rules” (43) understands word meant things times. limitations his evidence. For accepts that, discussions how might emerged wrestling, fencing, disordered brawls, offer hypotheses, although, points out, “until 1550 was viewed variant wrestling” (10). use phrases “I believe,” “we indications,” “possible antecedents” help readers here. “suspects” boxers were training bouts early 1300s (107). good language meanings terms “box,” “cuff,” “pommel,” “buffet,” which being used commonly end sixteenth century. term “buffet” initially an combat, where fighters stood toe toe, each hitting other savagely ordered turn.Allen boxing's rituals rules: issues challenges, location, making ring, formal parade stripping before fight, why shake hands, establishment rounds, match became called “prize fight.”The contains nine relatively short, readable chapters. Overall, first four chapters, focus links boxers, rules, strongest. began ways, closely tied sometimes linked criminal activity undertaken peasants assaults shift away weapons. Only later did become sport supported kings aristocracy. stresses important connections wagering and, Chapter 9, explores legal standing prize-fighting.Some chapters seem less convincing than others. 5, possible working-class judicial duels, duel honor speculative, lacking clear suggests fair play helped Englishmen avoid revolutions common France, Italy, Germany during eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth centuries made England one safest countries Such claims supporters, experts far complex, nuanced explanations. claim world at time lacks substantiation. too modern outgrowth native English sense play. But, “fair play” then had meanings, betting, any rule weaknesses deliberately ruthlessly exploited.Nonetheless, lack offers launching point detailed study.