The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland Volume I Part 20

b.u.t.tons

Two or more boys take two b.u.t.tons in their right hands, and try to throw them both into a small hole in the ground about two yards off. The boy who succeeds in getting both b.u.t.tons in begins first next game, and takes a b.u.t.ton as prize. [This seems merely a mild form of marbles.]-Lincolnshire (Rev. -- Roberts).

There were several games played with b.u.t.tons-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 b.u.t.tons, 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 b.u.t.tons started with; but if one or more of the b.u.t.tons 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 b.u.t.ton 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 b.u.t.tons:-

(1.) The plain metal 3 or 4-holed flat b.u.t.ton, called a Sinkie, say, value 1 point.

(2.) The same kind of b.u.t.ton, with letters or inscription on the rim, valued at 2 points.

(3.) The small metal shank b.u.t.ton, 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 b.u.t.tons), 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 b.u.t.tons, 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.

This language Lyndsay puts into the mouth of a Popish parson. The game seems to be that of ball played with the hand, as distinguished from "Football."-Jamieson.

See "Ball."

Call-the-Guse

This game is supposed by Jamieson to be equivalent to "Drive the Goose," and the game seems to be the same with one still played by young people in some parts of Angus, in which one of the company, having something that excites ridicule unknowingly pinned behind, is pursued by all the rest, who still cry out, "Hunt the Goose!"-Jamieson.

Camp

A game formerly much in use among schoolboys, and occasionally played by men in those parts of Suffolk on the sea coast-more especially in the line of Hollesley Bay between the Rivers Orwell and Alde, sometimes school against school, or parish against parish. It was thus played: Goals were pitched at the distance of 150 or 200 yards from each other; these were generally formed of the thrown-off clothes of the compet.i.tors. Each party has two goals, ten or fifteen yards apart. The parties, ten or fifteen on a side, stand in line, facing their own goals and each other, at about ten yards distance, midway between the goals, and nearest that of their adversaries. An indifferent spectator, agreed on by the parties, throws up a ball, of the size of a common cricket-ball, midway between the confronted players, and makes his escape. It is the object of the players to seize and convey the ball between their own goals. The rush is therefore very great: as is sometimes the shock of the first onset, to catch the falling ball. He who first can catch or seize it speeds therefore home, pursued by his opponents (thro' whom he has to make his way), aided by the jostlings and various a.s.sistances of his own _sidesmen_. If caught and held, or in imminent danger of being caught, he _throws_ the ball-but must in no case give it-to a less beleaguered friend, who, if it be not arrested in its course, or be jostled away by the eager and watchful adversaries, catches it; and he hastens homeward, in like manner pursued, annoyed, and aided, winning the notch (or snotch) if he contrive to _carry_, not _throw_, it between his goals. But this in a well-matched game is no easy achievement, and often requires much time, many doublings, detours, and exertions. I should have noticed, that if the holder of the ball be caught with the ball in his possession, he loses a _snotch_; if, therefore, he be hard pressed, he _throws_ it to a convenient friend, more free and in breath than himself. At the loss (or gain) of a _snotch_, a recommence takes place, arranging which gives the parties time to take breath. Seven or nine notches are the game-and these it will sometimes take two or three hours to win. Sometimes a large football was used-and the game was then called "Kicking Camp"-and if played with the shoes on, "Savage Camp."-Moor's _Suffolk Words_.

(_b_) The sport and name are very old. The "Camping pightel" occurs in a deed of the 30 Henry VI.-about 1486; Cullum's _Hawstead_, p. 113, where Tusser is quoted in proof, that not only was the exercise manly and salutary, but good also for the _pightel_ or meadow:

In meadow or pasture (to grow the more fine) Let campers be camping in any of thine; Which if ye do suffer when low is the spring, You gain to yourself a commodious thing.

-P. 65.

And he says, in p. 56:

Get campers a ball, To camp therewithall.

Ray says that the game prevails in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Ess.e.x. The Rev.

S. Arnot, in _Notes and Queries_, 8th series, vol. ii. p. 138, who was rector of Ilket's Hall, in the county of Suffolk, says the ball was about the size of a cricket-ball, and was driven through a narrow goal; and from the evidence of the parish clerk it seems certain that it was not "Football." See also Spurden's _East Anglian Words_, and _County Folk-lore, Suffolk_, pp. 57-59.

There are Upper Campfield and Lower Campfield at Norton Woodseats. They are also called Camping fields. This field was probably the place where football and other village games were played. These fields adjoin the Bocking fields. In Gosling's Map of Sheffield, 1736, Campo Lane is called _Camper Lane_. The same map shows the position of the old Latin school, or grammar school, and the writing school. These schools were at a very short distance from Campo Lane, and it seems probable that here the game of football was played (Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_). "The camping-land appropriated to this game occurs in several instances in authorities of the fifteenth century" (Way's Note in _Prompt. Parv._, p.

60). In Brinsley's _Grammar Schoole_, cited by Mr. Furnivall in _Early English Meals and Manners_, p. lxii., is this pa.s.sage: "By this meanes also the schollars may be kept euer in their places, and hard to their labours, without that running out to the Campo (as they tearme it) at school times, and the manifolde disorders thereof; as watching and striuing for the clubbe and loytering then in the fields."

See "Football."

Canlie

A very common game in Aberdeen, played by a number of boys, one of whom is by lot chosen to act the part of Canlie. A certain portion of a street or ground, as it may happen, is marked off as his territory, into which, if any of the other boys presume to enter, and be caught by Canlie before he can get off the ground, he is doomed to take the place of Canlie, who becomes free in consequence of the capture. The game is prevalent throughout Scotland, though differently denominated: in Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire it is called "Tig," and in Mearns "Tick."-Jamieson.

See "Tig."

Capie-Hole

A hole is made in the ground, and a certain line drawn, called a Strand, behind which the players must take their stations. The object is at this distance to throw the bowl into the hole. He who does this most frequently wins. It is now more generally called "The Hole," but the old designation is not quite extinct. It is otherwise played in Angus. Three holes are made at equal distances. He who can first strike his bowl into each of these holes thrice in succession wins the game (Jamieson). It is alluded to in _The Life of a Scotch Rogue_, 1722, p. 7.

See "Bun-hole."

Carrick

Old name for "Shinty" in Fife.-Jamieson.

Carry my Lady to London

I. Give me a pin to stick in my thumb To carry my lady to London.