The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 1 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes and Methods of Playing etc.Gomme, Alice Bertha
History
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 1 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes and Methods of Playing etc.
Gomme, Alice Bertha
Folklore -- Great Britain; Games -- Great Britain
There were several games played with buttons—some on level ground, in a
ring or square; but the most approved was with a hole dug in the earth
near a wall, or near the trunk of a large tree. The hole should be about
the cavity of a small tea-cup, the players toeing a scratched line about
four or five feet from the hole, after tossing for first innings. Each
of the players (mostly two) contribute an equal number of buttons, say
from two to ten, and of equal value or quality. The one having first
turn takes the whole of them in his hand, and by an under-throw, or
rather a pitch, endeavours to get the whole, or as many as possible,
into the hole. If all go clean into the hole, he wins the game, and
takes the whole of the buttons started with; but if one or more of the
buttons are left outside the hole, the non-player has then the choice of
selecting one which he considers difficult to be hit, and requesting the
player to hit it with his _nicker_. This is made of solid lead, about
the size of a florin, but twice its substance, and each player is
provided with one of his own. Much judgment is required in making this
selection, the object being to make it most difficult not only to hit
it, but to prevent it being hit without being knocked into the hole, or
sending the nicker in, or sending another button in, or even not
striking one at all. In any one of these cases the player loses the
game, and the non-player takes the whole of the stakes. In playing the
next game, the previous non-player becomes the player.—London (C. A. T.
M.).
The following was the value of the buttons:—
(1.) The plain metal 3 or 4-holed flat button, called a Sinkie, say,
value 1 point.
(2.) The same kind of button, with letters or inscription on the rim,
valued at 2 points.
(3.) The small metal shank button, called a Shankie, without any
inscription, valued at 3 points; if with inscription, at 4 points; the
large sizes and corresponding description were valued relatively 4 and 5
points.
(4.) The small Shankies, with a crest (livery waistcoat buttons), 6
points, and the large corresponding, 7 points.
(5.) The small Shankies, with coat of arms, value 8 points, and the
large corresponding, 9 points.
(6.) Ornamental and various other buttons, such as regimental, official,
mounted and engraved in flowers, and other designs according to
arrangement, up to 20 points.
See “Banger,” “Cots and Twisses.”
Buzz and Bandy
A local name for “Hockey,” which was formerly a very popular game among
the young men of Shrewsbury and Much Wenlock. Called simply “Bandy” at
Ludlow and Newport.—_Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 525.
Cache-pole
The game of “Tennis.”—Jamieson.
Caiche
The game of “Handball.”
Thocht I preich nocht I can play at the caiche.
I wait thair is nocht ane among you all
Mair ferilie can play at the fute ball.
—Lyndsay’s _S. P. Repr_., ii. 243.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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