Wrestling and Wrestlers: Biographical Sketches of Celebrated Athletes of the Northern Ring; to Which is Added Notes on Bull and Badger BaitingRobinson, Jacob
History
Wrestling and Wrestlers: Biographical Sketches of Celebrated Athletes of the Northern Ring; to Which is Added Notes on Bull and Badger Baiting
Robinson, Jacob
Wrestlers; Wrestling
At the Windermere Regatta, held at the Ferry hotel, in July, 1812, he won
his ninety-ninth and last belt. Previously he had won several belts at the
same place. No part of this final trophy is left, but the inscription
plate--in the possession of Mr. Backhouse, farmer, near Low Wood--which
runs: "To the Hero of the Regatta, on Windermere, 1812."
After this date, we obtain passing glimpses of Roan entering various
rings, and trying in vain to make up the hundredth prize. In 1824, the old
veteran--having then contended more or less for twenty-eight years--was
thrown at Low Wood Regatta, by one Hodgson, who wrestled third; and even as
late as 1828, he wrestled at Ambleside fair, where he was disposed of by
John Holmes, a tall six-foot tailor. This proved the last time he ever
contended for a prize--saying, as he bade farewell to the ring, "I think
it's time to give ower, noo, when a bit iv a tailyer can thrā' me!"
Roan's match with William Richardson of Caldbeck will be found described in
the sketch of Richardson's career.
Many years elapse, and Roan is sitting among the onlookers of the
wrestling, at Ambleside sports. After Longmire had carried off several big
men with the swinging hype--eliciting the admiration of all beholders--old
Roan said to the young aspirant, in a drawling tone of voice: "Thoo cudn't
ha' trailed me by t' neck i' that way, my lad!"
If Roan Long was deficient in science and activity, and did not cut the
brilliant figure in the wrestling ring that some of his contemporaries did,
he, nevertheless, habitually maintained through a long span of existence,
many points of much greater importance, in a social view--such, for
example, as plodding perseverance, singleness of purpose, and sturdy
independence of character--traits in themselves truly commendable, and far
above any merely nominal honours which the wrestling arena could bestow.
Roan's occupation was that of a wood-cutter and wood-monger. In company
with the Robinsons of Cunsey--two brothers--he worked in the woods around
Windermere, for many years. Robert Robinson, one of the brothers, was a
very powerful man, nearly six feet high, with broad massive shoulders, and
herculean thighs. During the height of the wood-cutting season, these men
toiled and wrought from daybreak to dusk, more like galley slaves than
free-born Englishmen; often continuing their laborious employment half
through moonlight nights. On certain occasions, when arriving at the woods
before daybreak, they have been known to sit down and eat their dinners
"while they'd time," as they phrased it, in order to keep themselves "frae
hankerin' efter 't throo t' day." With coat, waistcoat, and shirt off, Roan
used frequently to yoke himself in a cart, heavily laden with wood, and had
to "snig" like a horse, while the two Robinsons placed themselves behind
the cart, and regulated their motions according to the necessity of the
case.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account