Shrovetide Football / Футбол на Масленицу

Shrovetide football has been played in England since the 14th century. Rules are few and vary greatly from place to place. The goals may be as much as three miles apart. One of the best-known survivals is the game at Ashbourne, Derbyshire, on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

The origins of the game have been lost in the midst of time after a fire at the Shrovetide Committee office in the 1890s. The earliest record of the game dates back to 1683 when Charles Cotton wrote about it.

There are many versions as to the true origins of the game - but the most popular seems to be the theory that the 'ball' was originally a head tossed into the waiting crowd following an execution.

Over its history there were some attempts to ban the game. For instance, in 1349 Edward III tried to outlaw it as he claimed it interfered with his archery practice.

The game has received true 'Royal Assent' only twice - in 1928 the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, turned up the ball. The event was then officially called the Royal Shrovetide Football. In 2003, HRH Prince Charles turned up the ball.

The year of 1943 became the first year in which the ball was goaled by a woman. Doris Mugglestone goaled for the Up'ards and Doris Sowter goaled for the Down'ards - both on Ash Wednesday.

The game is played every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

Теги: english holidays | english traditions | shrovetide football | страноведение великобритании | топик на английском масленица | традиции великобритании | футбол на масленицу