Jump to content

Cornish wrestling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cornish wrestling
John Cawley throwing Chris French at Demonstration at Robby Richards Museum Opening - CWA Event 13–14 May 2006.
FocusGrappling
Country of originCornwall
CreatorCornish people
Olympic sportNo

Cornish wrestling (Cornish: Omdowl Kernewek[1]) is a form of wrestling that has been established in Cornwall for many centuries and possibly longer. It is similar to the Breton Gouren wrestling style. It is colloquially known as "wrasslin’"[2][3] in the Cornish dialect of English; historically, this usage is attested by Chaucer,[4] Shakespeare[5] and Drayton.[6]

The referee is known as a 'stickler',[7] and it is claimed that the popular meaning of the word as a 'pedant' originates from this usage.[8]

Cornish wrestling is a national sport of Cornwall, which spread throughout the British Isles and then, along with the Cornish diaspora, to such places as the United States, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa.

It has similarities to Devon wrestling but it was reputed to focus less on foot moves and more on throwing.[9]

Rules

[edit]

The objective of Cornish wrestling is to throw one's opponent and cause them to land as flat as possible on their back. Each of the wrestlers wears a ‘jacket’ of tough make and material, enabling them to better grip their opponent. Grabbing of the opponent's or your own arms, wrists or fingers is forbidden as well as holding below the waist. All holds are to be taken upon the jacket, although the flat of the hand is allowed to be used to push or deflect an opponent.[10][11] No fending is permitted. No force on the throat is permitted. Three sticklers watch and control each bout, keeping score of points.[12][13]: 11–15 

Four pins are located on the back of a wrestler, two at the shoulders and two just above the buttocks. A wrestler scores points by throwing their opponent onto their back, the number of pins hitting the floor being the number of points scored. If a wrestler manages to score with three or four pins this is called a ‘Back’ and the bout is then finished, with the throwing wrestler as the winner.[14] The sticklers each raise their sticks when they perceive a Back has been achieved. A Back may be awarded by majority, i.e. by two out of the three sticklers. If a Back is not awarded, the winner is the wrestler with the most accumulated points within the time limit.[12]

History

[edit]

Cornish wrestling has a long history, with Geoffrey of Monmouth in Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1139) describing Corineus, the legendary founder of Cornwall, as a man "of great courage and boldness, who, in an encounter with any person, even of gigantic stature, would immediately overthrow him, as if he were a child", and later tells the story of how Corineus wrestled a Cornish giant, Gogmagog or Goemagot upon the cliff top known as Lamm Goemagot.

Thomas Hoby writes that, in 1551 at Chastenbriant, the French king showed my Lord Marquess of Northampton "great pleasure and disport...sometime with his great boisterlie Bretons wrastling with my lordes yemen of Cornwall, who had much to do to gete the upper hande of them."[15]

Some of the earliest written evidence for wrestling in the West Country comes from a 1612 poem entitled "Poly-Olbion" by Michael Drayton, which gives the names of some Cornish Wrestling throws. Drayton also published a poem in 1627 called The Battle of Agincourt, which concerns the 1415 battle. The poem states that the Cornish men who accompanied Henry V into battle held a banner of two Cornish wrestlers.

Cornish, Devon and Breton wrestlers have long taken part in inter-Celtic matches since at least 1402 and these still occasionally continue. In early times Cornish and Devonian wrestlers often had matches against each other though the rules they followed were not the same. One of these was the notable match between Richard Parkyn and the Devonian John Jordan.

In 1654, Oliver Cromwell and many of his privy council were reported as watching 100 Cornishmen wrestling in Hyde Park, presenting "...great agility of body and most neat and exquisite wrestling at every meeting of one with the other, which was ordered with such dexterity, that it was to show more the strength, vigour and nimbleness of their bodies, than to endanger their persons."[16]

Wrastling is as full of manliness, more delightful and less dangerous (than hurling).... for you shall hardly find an assembly of boyes in Devon and Cornwall, where the most untowardly amongst them will not as readily give you a muster of this exercise as you are prone to require it.

17th century historian Richard Carew, [17]

Charles II, along with "a world of lords" and many other spectators, watched a series of wrestling matches in St James' Park in 1669, with a purse of £1000, which saw the "Western men" win.[18]

His Highness York’s great Duke beheld the same
With other persons of renowned fame
Brave Cornishmen, you are to be commended
And will be so until the world is ended.[19]

Sir Thomas Parkyns (1664–1741), known as the Wrestling Baronet, was a devotee of wrestling and organised an annual wrestling match in Bunny Park (prize a gold-laced hat). These matches continued until 1810. His book on the subject The Inn-Play: or, the Cornish Hugg-Wrestler was published in 1713 and reprinted many times.[20]

A contest at Bodmin in 1811 attracted 4,000 spectators, but thereafter interest in the sport waned. James Gerry (of Linkinhorne) and Samuel Rundle (Plymouth) fought for a £20 purse and the championship of Cornwall in 1883 at Liskeard. Lasting just over an hour, the match ended in a draw in the 19th round following Rundle tearing leg muscles. Gerry was reported in The Cornishman newspaper to have vanquished all the best men in America as well as many men in Cornwall, Rundle had beaten nearly all the wrestling men in Devon and Cornwall.[21]

In 1927 William Tregoning Hooper (Bras y Golon) agreed with the Breton Dr. Cottonec of Quimperle that there should be annual wrestling tournaments in which both Cornish and Breton wrestlers would compete. In 1932, the Duke of Cornwall helped fund the competing Cornish wrestlers.[22]

In the 1970s Truro Cathedral School was teaching Cornish wrestling as part of its physical education programme and was the only school in Cornwall to do so.[23]

Traditions

[edit]

A very old custom was, on the Sunday following a wrestling match or tournament, to wear to church any prizes won. Alternatively they were hung on an inside pillar near the main church door. This custom was especially observed when the victory was with another parish.[24]

Wrestling matches were often located in graveyards, as evidenced by the Bishop of Exeter banning wrestling in graveyards in Cornwall and Devon in 1287.[13]: 19 

Some Cornish wrestling matches allowed shin-kicking. This was often referred to as "Cornish purring".[25]

There is an ancient custom whereby sticklers of a tournament would appear at church the following Sunday wearing "Christys" (silk top hats)[26] with streamers (silk ribbons).[27][26]

There are multiple stories of women being capable wrestlers, even more than 200 years ago. For example, Caroline Andrewartha who was taught wrestling by her father and in turn taught her son Joel Andrewartha, who went on to become one of the best wrestlers in Cornwall, including beating Polkinghorne.[28][29] Another example is Lizzie Taylor (1831–1887), known as "Happy Ned" or "Lizzie-poor-Dick", who threw John Lillywhite in a wrestling-bout at Clowance. She was a miner who dressed in men's clothes.[30][31][32][33]

During a match, wrestlers shake hands before every hitch.[34]

Prior to the mid-1800s, competitors had to renounce the use of magic before the start of a tournament.[35]

Traditionally wrestlers would challenge each other to wrestling matches by throwing their hat into the ring. The idiom may come from this practice.[34][36][37]

In Cornwall, youngsters used to play the game of "shuffle hats and wrastle", where they would throw their hats into a ring, with their owners wrestling off in accordance with the pairing of the hats.[38][39][40]

There had been a custom of "begging the ring" whereby old or injured wrestlers would walk around the ring begging for alms. This was replaced by a wrestlers' benevolent fund in 1926 and then by the welfare state.[41][39][42]

Wrestling matches were once played in churchyards, but in 1297 the Bishop of Exeter banned it from such places in Devon and Cornwall. [43]

At some tournaments there were prizes for those wrestlers appearing in the neatest costume.[44]

In late Victorian times women were briefly banned from matches, as men often wrestled in their long johns, which was not considered respectable.[43]

Gold laced hats were often used as first place prizes for Cornish wrestling tournaments. It was said that wearers of such hats were immune from the attentions of the press gang.[27]

Wrestlers who were knocked senseless in bouts would often be treated by being "bled" on site if there was a doctor at hand.[45][46]

In the mid-1800s through to the early 1900s, extra trains were laid on going to and from towns where Cornish wrestling tournaments were being held.[47][48] In the early 1900s this was extended to extra bus services.[49]

Until 1927 there was no time limit for Cornish wrestling matches and there are records of matches taking many hours and even having to be reconvened the next day.[50] Note that in 1927 the rule became best 2 falls in 20 minutes, but there was much resistance to this change as it was perceived that often the worse player won these matches.[51] This was changed to the current rules of two, ten minute, rounds with points being used to determine the winner if no back is scored.[52] However, this time limit lapsed in the 1940s, was proposed to be reinstated in 1956,[53] but was only reinstated in 1967.[54]

In the early 1800s there were two distinct styles of wrestling. Wrestlers who fought in the Western style included Parkyn and wrestlers who fought with the Eastern style included the Truscotts. This distinction had disappeared by the end of the 1800s.[55]

The wrestler's motto

[edit]

Gwari hweg yw gwari teg[56][57][58][59]

English Translation: Fair play is sweet play.[60][59][61]

The wrestler's oath

[edit]
Cornish[62] Translation[60][61][63]
War ow enor ha war enor ow bro, On my honour and the honour of my country,
My a de omdewlel heb traytouri na garowder, I swear to wrestle without treachery or brutality
Hag avel oll ow lelder my a ystyn ow leuv dhe’m kontrari. And in token of my sincerity I offer my hand to my opponent.
Gans geryow ow hendasow: In the words of my forefathers:
“Gwari hweg yw gwari teg”. "Fair play is sweet play".

Governing bodies

[edit]

There has been significant disagreement, over time, as to which were the ruling governing bodies in the sport and also differences in the precise nature of the rules. This has resulted in simultaneous claimants for world, national and regional titles.[64]

Governing bodies outside Cornwall

[edit]

The Devon and Cornish Wrestling Society was formed in 1849.[65]

The Western Counties Wrestling Association was formed in 1877[66]

Worldwide, various regional bodies have governed local Cornish wrestling tournaments or matches. Examples include:

  • The Royal Marine Light Infantry for a tournament in Japan (1872);[67]
  • The Ivey Athletic Club for tournaments in Michigan, United States;[68]
  • The Brotton wrestling committee for Cornish wrestling in Yorkshire;[69]
  • The Bendigo Amateur Wrestling Association in Bendigo, Australia;[70]
  • The Cornish Association of South Africa;[71]
  • Taunton Athletic club in Somerset;[72]
  • St Budeaux and District Wrestling Committee for local tournaments in Devon;[73]
  • The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in India;[74]
  • The Cornish Porcupine wrestling club in Canada;[75][76]
  • Pachuca Athletic Club in Mexico.[77]
  • Morro Velho mines in Brazil.[78]

Cornwall and Devon wrestling Society

[edit]
Cornish wrestling in London 1866[79]

The Cornwall and Devon Wrestling Society (also known as the Devon and Cornwall Wrestling Society[80][81]) was formed in 1752, running tournaments and matches in London, often at Hackney Wick. Open competitions were held, awarding significant belts and prizes funded by the patrons. However, only natives of Cornwall were permitted to compete for the Great Duke of Cornwall cup.[82]

Patrons of the Cornwall and Devon Wrestling Society

[edit]

Governing bodies inside Cornwall

[edit]

County committee

[edit]

In 1886 and 1887 a series of wrestling tournaments (in Truro,[86][87][88] Penzance[89] and Redruth[90] amongst others) was organised by what was described as the "County Committee" with secretary Mr J F Mark.

Cornish Wrestling Association

[edit]

The different regional associations within Cornwall merged into the Cornwall County Wrestling Association ("CCWA") in September 1923, under the presidency of Lord St Levan,[91] to help standardize the rules, facilitate the competing of Duchy championships, mitigate the risk of clashing tournaments and promote Cornish Wrestling throughout Cornwall and indeed Worldwide.[10] When the CCWA was formed there were only 9 affiliated local associations, but by 1925 there were over 50.[92][91] Note that the Newquay and Port Isaac associations initially indicated that they wanted nothing to do with the CCWA.[93]

In 1927 the CCWA adopted a rule that if there was no back obtained within 20 minutes wrestling, then the match would be decided by the best of 2 falls. Note that previously there had been no time limit on bouts.[94] In 1928 this was changed to two 10 minute rounds where, if there was no back, accumulated points decided the winner.[95] Note there was still no time limit for championship finals.[96]

In 1928, William Tregonning Hooper initiated inter-Celtic tournaments between the CCWA and its counterpart in Brittany, as the similarities of Breton and Cornish wrestling are sufficient for successful competitions to be held between the two.[97]

In 1930, the CCWA had financial difficulties resulting in suspension of activities and the belts and cups being seized by the bank. As a result, belts and cups were not awarded.[98][99]

In 1932, the CCWA was refinanced, with help from the London Cornish Association,[100] Federation of Old Cornwall Societies,[101][100] Viscount Clifden,[102] the Western Morning News[102] and the Duke of Cornwall,[100][102][101] and the belts and cups were retrieved from the bank.[14][10][103] In 1933 the CCWA changed its name to the Cornish Wrestling Association ("CWA")[103] and adopted a rule to limit rounds to 15 minutes.[50][104]

Portrait of Keith John Menadue wearing the Cornish Wrestling Association Heavyweight Championship Belt 1956

In 1933 various local wrestling associations had competitions unaffiliated to the CWA, culminating with St Mawgan holding a championship of Cornwall, "under the old Cornish wrestling rules".[105]

The East Cornwall Wrestling Federation ("ECWF") was formed in 1934, at least in part to hold competitions under more traditional rules (the time limit being a key issue).[10][106][107][108] The ECWF also complained that the CWA had preferred placing championship tournaments in West Cornwall and had preferred selecting wrestlers from West Cornwall to represent Cornwall in the inter-Celtic competition.[109] The ECWF held rival championship titles of heavyweight, middleweight and lightweight champion in the "Old Cornish Style".[14][10] In 1934, the CWA initially suspended wrestlers involved with ECWF competitions.[64] This rule was suspended in 1936, but re-instigated in 1938.[110][111]

In 1936 the CWA removed the time limit to matches.[112]

In 1946, the ECWF was absorbed by the CWA, who have overseen almost all tournaments since.[113][114][115] A modern example of an exception to this was the annual St Mawgan tournament, which rejoined in 2025.

In 1965 the CWA adopted a 10 minute limit to the duration of matches with points choosing the winner where a back was not achieved. However, the finals of championship matches went back to being two, 10 minute rounds.

In 1994 the CWA opened competitions to women.[116]

In 2004 the CWA became affiliated with the British Wrestling Association.[117]

Patrons of the CCWA/CWA

[edit]

Notable people who were also Cornish wrestlers

[edit]
Further information: List of Cornish wrestlers
Tom Molineaux
  • Tom Molineaux, the famous bare knuckle boxer, entered Cornish wrestling tournaments in England when touring in the early 1800s.[132][133]
  • Billy Bray, the famous unconventional Cornish preacher, was a Cornish wrestler.[134]
  • Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States, was a Cornish wrestler and would practice Cornish wrestling during his work outs in the White House.[135][136]
  • The US president, statesman and soldier Theodore Roosevelt, started training in Cornish wrestling when he was New York governor, where he was taught three times a week by Professor Mike J Dwyer.[137][138][139]
  • John Lillywhite, the famous cricketer who was in the first England team, competed in Cornish wrestling tournaments in the mid-1800s.[30][31][140]
  • US senator, Thomas Kearns, when he moved from Kansas to Utah, went around Cornish mining camps challenging the strongest miners to Cornish wrestling matches for side bets.[141]
  • Robert James Fitzsimmons, better known as Bob Fitzsimmons was a Cornish professional boxer who was the sport's first three-division world champion between 1894 and 1903. He knew Cornish wrestling from when he was a boy and used Cornish wrestling tricks in his early finish fights.[142] He usually had a wrestler in his camp while training for a fight.[143][144][145]
  • Roy Jennings was a rugby player that played for Redruth and the British Lions (touring Australia and New Zealand in 1930), who regularly competed in Cornish wrestling tournaments in the 1930s. He also represented Cornwall in the 1933 inter-Celtic wrestling tournament.[146][147]
  • The actors, Paul Dupuis and Ralph Michael, studied Cornish wrestling under middleweight champion Tom Cundry, for their roles in the film - Johnny Frenchman.[148] Later, Dupuis and Michael were invited to enter the Cornish wrestling festival at Helston.[149][150]

Cornish wrestling throws

[edit]
Main article: Cornish wrestling throws

There are a number of throws that are taught in training classes, but each has many variants.

In Play
 Heaves
 Back Heave
Cornish Hug
Fore Heave
Flying Mare
Half Heave
Scat un Back
Teddy Bag Heave
Under Heave
Crooks
 Back Crook
Fore Crook
Slip Crook
Sprags
 Back Sprag
Double Sprag
Single Sprag
Hip Throws
 Fore Hip
Pull Over Hip
Out Play
 Trips
 Back Step
Heel
Lock Arm
Pull Under
Toe
Foul Throws
 Foul Moves
 Cross Collar
Crowbar Hitch

Championships

[edit]

The following Senior Championships are fought annually in competitions across the Duchy, overseen by the CWA:

Championship Current Weight limit (lbs) 1963 Weight limit (lbs) 1938 Weight limit (lbs) 1936 Weight limit (lbs) 1924 Weight Limit (lbs)
Heavyweight Open Open Open Open Open[151][152]
Light Heavyweight 210 180[153] N/A N/A N/A
Middleweight 182 160 160 160 160[154][152]
Lightweight 168 145[155] 145 145 145[151][152]
Featherweight 154 130[156] 130[157] 140[158][159] 130[160][152]
Ladies Open N/A N/A N/A N/A

Note that women have held some of the weight based championships.

The following Junior Championships are fought annually in competitions across the Duchy:

  • Under 18s Belt
  • Under 16s Trophy
  • Under 14s Trophy
  • Under 12s Trophy
  • Under 10s Trophy

Outside Cornwall

[edit]

Cornish wrestling is Cornwall's oldest sport and as Cornwall's native tradition it has travelled the world to places like Victoria, Australia and Grass Valley, California, following the miners and gold rushes.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ http://www.gorsedhkernow.org.uk/archivedsite/kernewek/kevren.htm Archived 7 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine Omdowl Kernewek Gorsedh Kernow Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  2. ^ Phillipps, K C: Westcountry Words & Ways, David & Charles (Publishers) Limited 1976, p99.
  3. ^ Cornish culture steps into the spotlight, The Western Morning News, 14 August 2006.
  4. ^ Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury Tales, The Knightes Tale, The Reeves Tale, the Tale of Gamelyn, The Tale of Sir Thopas, etc, 1387-1400
  5. ^ Shakespeare, William: As you like it, Act III, Scene II, 1599
  6. ^ Drayton, Michael: Poly-Olbion, 1612, i, 244
  7. ^ James, Nicholas: Poems on several occasions, Wrestling, Andrew Brice (Truro) 1742, p21-40.
  8. ^ Hone, William: The Table Book of Daily Recreation and Information, Hunt & Clarke 1827, p663-664.
  9. ^ Hone, William (1831). The Every-day Book and Table Book: Or, Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs, and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in Past and Present Times : Forming a Complete History of the Year, Months, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac : Including Accounts of the Weather, Rules for Health and Conduct, Remarkable and Important Anecdotes, Facts and Notices, in Chronology, Antiquities, Topography, Biography, Natural History, Art, Science, and General Literature : Derived from the Most Authentic Sources and Valuable Original Communications with Poetical Elucidations : for Daily Use and Diversion. Published for T. Tegg.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Tripp, Michael: PERSISTENCE OF DIFFERENCE: A HISTORY OF CORNISH WRESTLING, University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2009, Vol I p2-217.
  11. ^ W, Tregoning Hooper: Cornish Wrestling, The Cornish Review, Porthmeor Press (Penzance) 1950, p. 30–32.
  12. ^ a b Kendall, Bryan H: The Art of Cornish Wrestling, Federation of Old Cornwall Societies (Cornwall) 1990, p. 1–32.
  13. ^ a b Tripp, Mike: Cornish Wrestling A History, Federation of Old Cornwall Societies (Cornwall) 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Guy Jaouen and Matthew Bennett Nicols: Celtic Wrestling, The Jacket Styles, Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (Switzerland) 2007, p1-183.
  15. ^ Hoby, Thomas: A Book of the Travaile and Life of me Thomas Hoby, 1551
  16. ^ The Moderate Intelligencer, May 1, 1654
  17. ^ Carew, Sir Richard (1602) Survey of Cornwall. Reissued: New York, 1969
  18. ^ Evelyn, John: Memoirs Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, William Bray, 1818
  19. ^ Hurling in the 17th century, matches in Hyde park, Cornish Guardian, 15 February 1940, p. 2.
  20. ^ Hole, Christina (1949) English Sports and Pastimes. London: Batsford; p. 31
  21. ^ "The Wrestling Championship Of Cornwall". The Cornishman. No. 258. 21 June 1883. p. 6.
  22. ^ Cornish Wrestling, Cornishman, 04 August 1932, p. 4.
  23. ^ Peter Berresford Ellis (1974) The Cornish Language and its Literature. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, p. 199
  24. ^ Another usage, The Cornish Telegraph, 5 July 1871, p3.
  25. ^ Los Angeles Herald 23 April 1889, p4.
  26. ^ a b Wrestling at St Mawgan, St. Austell Star, 29 July 1897, p5.
  27. ^ a b Cornish wrestling, Cornish Guardian, 30 July 1936, p14.
  28. ^ The farmer and the maid, Cornishman, 18 May 1939, p. 6.
  29. ^ The farmer and the maid, Cornish Post and Mining News, 20 May 1939, p. 4.
  30. ^ a b Cornwall, Cornishman, 29 December 1887, p6.
  31. ^ a b First class cricketers on Penzance ground, Cornishman, 13 September 1894, p6.
  32. ^ Cornwall 30 years ago, Cornubian and Redruth Times, 6 January 1888, p8.
  33. ^ Cricket - Twenty two of Cornwall against the united eleven, The Cornish Telegraph, 1 October 1856, p3.
  34. ^ a b Muldoon, James: Muldoon's Wrestling, A complete treatise on the various English, Scotch, American, French, German and Japanese Styles of Wrestling, Dick and Fitzgerald (New York) 1893, p30-42.
  35. ^ Duchy Wrestling Champions, Western Morning News, 22 August 1930, p4.
  36. ^ Littell, E: Living Age, Stanford & Delisser (New York) 1858, p757.
  37. ^ Walker, Donald: Defensive Exercises, PALMER and CLAYTON (London) 1840, p24-34.
  38. ^ Notes in the West: Cornish wrestling, Western Morning News, 10 May 1946, p. 4.
  39. ^ a b Pascoe, Harry, Cornish wrestling, Tre Pol and Pen The Cornish Annual, 1928, p63-69.
  40. ^ A Cornish "Admirable Crichton", St. Austell Star, 30 October 1891, p5.
  41. ^ Benevolent fund for competitors who are injured, Cornish Guardian, 16 April 1926, p. 14.
  42. ^ "Begging the ring" abolished, Western Morning News, 15 April 1926, p. 12.
  43. ^ a b Down Your Way, Cornish Guardian, 8 May 2013.
  44. ^ Dartmouth Regatta, The Cornishman, 12 August 1886, p5.
  45. ^ Egan, Pierce: Book of Sport, No XXI The Wrestlers, T T & J Tegg, 1832, p321-336.
  46. ^ "Great wrestling match for £20 between James Cann and Francis Oliver, Western Times, 21 June 1828, p4.
  47. ^ Redruth grand wrestling, Royal Cornwall Gazette, 2 September 1853, p. 4.
  48. ^ Grand wrestling tournament, Royal Cornwall Gazette, 21 June 1906, p. 8.
  49. ^ Bodmin, Cornish Guardian, 13 August 1926, p. 6.
  50. ^ a b Cornish Wrestling conflict, Cornish Guardian, 20 July 1933, P14.
  51. ^ Wrestling record, Cornish Guardian, 22 September 1927, p. 3.
  52. ^ County wrestling, rule alteration, Cornish Guardian, 23 February 1928, p. 14.
  53. ^ More wrestlers and more interest in the sport, Cornish Guardian, 19 April 1956, p. 13.
  54. ^ Bodmin wrestler is new featherweight champion, Cornish Guardian, 10 August 1967, p. 10.
  55. ^ The Wrestling Truscotts 1800-1814, Old Cornwall, Summer 1949, p320-322.
  56. ^ Wrestling, The Cornishman, 22 December 2011.
  57. ^ Wrestling, The West Briton, 22 December 2011.
  58. ^ Expert help on offer to Cornish language film-maker, The Western Morning News, 5 February 2008.
  59. ^ a b Sports in Cornwall, The Cornish Telegraph - Wednesday 28 July 1858, p. 2.
  60. ^ a b Cornishmen at play, Daily News (London), 6 December 1930, p. 4.
  61. ^ a b Cornish wrestling, clean and vigorous, The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld.), 9 February 1931, p3.
  62. ^ Cornish Wrestling Association: Cornish Wrestling, the national sport of Cornwall, Omdowl Kernewek, An sport kenedhlek Kernow, maga Cornish Language Partnership 2015, p1-4.
  63. ^ Bretons and Cornish "brothers" kiss and then wrestle with spirit, Cornish Guardian, 31 August 1933, p10.
  64. ^ a b Wrestling in Cornwall, regrettable lack of harmony, Cornishman, 24 May 1934, p6.
  65. ^ Wrestling, Sporting Life, 29 April 1887, p4.
  66. ^ Local and District News, Launceston Weekly News, and Cornwall & Devon Advertiser, 3 February 1877, p4.
  67. ^ Wrestling, The Japan Weekly Mail, 30 March 1872, p162.
  68. ^ Great activity in wrestling, Cornish sport is growing in popularity in upper peninsula of Michigan, The Minneapolis Journal, 19 July 1902, p9.
  69. ^ Cornish prize wrestling in Yorkshire, Royal Cornwall Gazette, 1 August 1879, p4.
  70. ^ Wrestling, Bendigo Advertiser (Vic), 9 January 1906, p3.
  71. ^ Cornish Association of South Africa Cornish Guardian, 8 May 1914, p5.
  72. ^ Last Christmas Day wedding in Taunton, Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, 28 December 1963, p1.
  73. ^ Cornish wrestling in Devon, Cornish Guardian, 25 June 1926, p6.
  74. ^ Wrestling, Cornish Post and Mining News, 19 February 1927, p2.
  75. ^ Cornish Wrestling to be introduced to Canada, Cornish Guardian, 20 December 1928, p5.
  76. ^ Wrestling club formed, North Bay Nugget, 19 October 1928, p4.
  77. ^ Our Mexican letter, Western Daily Mercury, 21 October 1895, p8.
  78. ^ A miner's holiday in Brazil, Royal Cornwall Gazette, 5 October 1860, p6.
  79. ^ Illustrated Sporting News and Theatrical and Musical Review - Saturday 14 April 1866, p5.
  80. ^ Chalk Farm Tavern and Tea Gardens, Morning Advertiser. 1 April 1844, p1.
  81. ^ Devon and Cornwall wrestling match, Cornubian and Redruth Times, 12 June 1868, p3.
  82. ^ The Cornwall and Devon wrestling society's grand carnival, Sporting Life, 1 April 1863, p3.
  83. ^ The Cornwall and Devon wrestling society, Morning Advertiser, 10 April 1868, p6.
  84. ^ Wrestling, Illustrated Sporting News and Theatrical and Musical Review, 13 April 1867, p2.
  85. ^ a b Wrestling - the Cornwall and Devon Society, Cornubian and Redruth Times, 27 March 1868, p2.
  86. ^ West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 16 September 1886.
  87. ^ Royal Cornwall_Gazette Falmouth_Packet and General Advertiser, 3 September 1886.
  88. ^ The Cornishman, 8 September 1887.
  89. ^ Royal Cornwall Gazette Falmouth Packet and General Advertiser, 20 August 1886.
  90. ^ The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 3 June 1886, p5.
  91. ^ a b CORNISH WRESTLING, The Advertiser (Adelaide) 9 October 1928, p14.
  92. ^ Annual dinner of the association, Cornish Guardian, 11 December 1925, p12.
  93. ^ Cornish Wrestling, County Association Formed, Western Morning News, 13 September 1923.
  94. ^ Wrestling Record, Newquay Express and Cornwall County Chronicle, 22 September 1927.
  95. ^ County Wrestling, Rule alteration, Newquay Express and Cornwall County Chronicle, 23 February 1928.
  96. ^ St. Wenn Wrestler's Success, Newquay Express and Cornwall County Chronicle, 30 August 1928.
  97. ^ In My View, Cornish Guardian, 19 October 2011.
  98. ^ Breton-Cornish wrestling, Cornish Guardian, 16 July 1931.
  99. ^ Cornish Wrestling - suspension of county association, Cornishman, 3 July 1930, P10.
  100. ^ a b c Promising outlook for Cornish wrestling, Cornish Guardian, 13 April 1933, P4.
  101. ^ a b c Prince and Cornish Wrestling, Western Morning News, 11 July 1932, P7.
  102. ^ a b c Cornish Wrestling, Cornish Guardian, 15 September 1932, P2.
  103. ^ a b Cornish Wrestling Revival, Cornish Guardian, 4 May 1933, p6.
  104. ^ New rule operates at Truro tournament, Cornish Guardian, 15 June 1933, P6.
  105. ^ Wrestling in the Cornish style, Cornish Guardian, 24 August 1933, p11.
  106. ^ Cornish Wrestling, Cornishman, 26 July 1934, p10.
  107. ^ Cornish Wrestling Championship, Cornish Guardian, 19 July 1934, p14.
  108. ^ Formation of East Cornwall Federation, Cornish Guardian 14 June 1934, p14.
  109. ^ Wrestling Breach not healed, Western Morning News, 25 June 1935, p10.
  110. ^ The wrestling season, Cornish Guardian, 5 May 1938, p8.
  111. ^ County wrestling association's finance, Cornish Guardian, 26 May 1938, p14.
  112. ^ Wrestling matches, West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 14 May 1936, p12.
  113. ^ Cornish Wrestling, Remarkable revival in the County, Western Morning News, 30 August 1946, p4.
  114. ^ Wrestling in the Duchy, Western Morning News, 08 May 1947, p5.
  115. ^ Unity achieved, "Red letter" day for Cornish wrestling, Cornish Guardian, 9 May 1946, p5.
  116. ^ Now, wrestling for women, West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 19 May 1994, p3.
  117. ^ Fair play and gentlemanly conduct is key to ancient sport's enduring appeal, The Western Morning News, 9 September 2014.
  118. ^ a b Cornish wrestling - county secretary outburst at committee meeting, Cornish Guardian, 17 May 1934, p12.
  119. ^ County, Cornishman, 3 October 1923, p8.
  120. ^ a b Cornish Wrestling Authorities, Western Morning News, 31 May 1935, p10.
  121. ^ County Association to be Resuscitated, Cornishman, 28 July 1932, p9.
  122. ^ Mainly Personal, Cornish Guardian, 18 August 1932, p7.
  123. ^ a b Longhurst, Percy: Cornish Wrestling, The Boy's Own Annual, Volume 52, 1930, p167-169.
  124. ^ Morris, Charles: Historical Tales, the Romance of Reality, JB Lippincott Company (Philadelphia) 1895, p212.
  125. ^ Sewell, Elizabeth Missing: Popular History of France, Longmans Green and Co (London) 1876, p302.
  126. ^ Jennings, LA: Mixed Martial Arts: A History from Ancient Fighting Sports, Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group 2021, p52-53.
  127. ^ Wrestling advocated : Football condened, Cornish Guardian, 23 September 1910, p2.
  128. ^ David Knight (2004) "Davy, Sir Humphry, baronet (1778–1829)" Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press
  129. ^ "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  130. ^ Trevithick, Ricard, Encyclopedia Britannica Vol XXIII, Maxwell Sommerville (Philadelphia) 1891, p589.
  131. ^ Cornish wrestling champion of 150 years ago, Cornish Guardian, 17 March 1966, p10.
  132. ^ Exeter Annual wrestling match, Staffordshire Advertiser, 8 August 1812, p4.
  133. ^ Exeter Annual wrestling, Bristol Times and Mirror, 1 August 1812, p3.
  134. ^ Fears for future of wrestling after event's small turnout, Cornish Guardian, 22 September 2010.
  135. ^ Playing the judo card cost Hague his job, The Guardian (London), 12 June 2001.
  136. ^ Gruesome British folk sports – from cheese-rolling to Hare Pie Scramble, The Spectator; London, 3 June 2023.
  137. ^ Gov. Roosevelt, a Wrestler, New York Times, 1 December 1899, p1.
  138. ^ Wrestler has apparently defied all traditions of athletics and is throwing all comers, The Minneapolis Journal, 21 January 1906
  139. ^ Old "Farmer" Burns comes back and shows splendid condition, The Minneapolis journal, 21 January 1906, p3.
  140. ^ Wrestling, West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 3 October 1856, p5.
  141. ^ Wit sharpened by fight for fortune, The San Francisco call, 12 January 1909, p6.
  142. ^ "Fitz" wrestled, The Victoria Daily Times, 1 March 1924, p10.
  143. ^ Berlenbach shows wrestling training, San Bernardino Sun, 6 April 1924, p4.
  144. ^ Robert Fitz-Simmons, Cornishman, 25 March 1897, p7.
  145. ^ Boxing and wrestling won't mix, says Edgren, Canton Daily News, 2 March 1924, p20.
  146. ^ Breton wrestlers in Cornwall, Cornishman, 31 August 1933, p6.
  147. ^ Iron Men, Manawatu Times, 19 October 1935, p11.
  148. ^ Cornish wrestling at stake, Cornish Post and Mining News, 8 September 1944, p3.
  149. ^ For Realism, Border Watch — (SA), 21 March 1946, p4.
  150. ^ Paul Dupuis, from the CBC Here, Becomes a Star of British Films, The Gazette, Montreal, 14 September 1945, p6.
  151. ^ a b The old Cornish pastime, Cornish Guardian, 27 June 1924, p7.
  152. ^ a b c d Cornish wrestling A magnificent gift, Cornish Post and Mining News, 27 September 1924, p4.
  153. ^ New enthusiasm for Cornish wrestling, Cornish Guardian, 21 March 1963, p8.
  154. ^ Another belt presented, Cornish Guardian, 17 October 1924, p6.
  155. ^ Retained county's lightweight wrestling championship, Cornish Guardian, 11 July 1963, p14.
  156. ^ Wadebridge wrestler wins featherweight title, Cornish Guardian, 1 August 1963, p11.
  157. ^ Cornish wrestling championship tournament, Cornish Guardian, 18 August 1938, p14.
  158. ^ Wrestling at Helston, Cornish Guardian, 10 September 1936, p14.
  159. ^ Wrestling, Cornish Post and Mining News, 12 September 1936, p3.
  160. ^ Wrestling finale, Cornish Guardian, 3 October 1924, p3.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cornish_wrestling&oldid=1317829797"