INTRODUCTION.✦

A GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE POPULAR SPORTS, PASTIMES, AND MILITARY GAMES, TOGETHER WITH THE VARIOUS SPECTACLES OF MIRTH OR SPLENDOUR, EXHIBITED PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY, FOR THE SAKE OF AMUSEMENT, AT DIFFERENT PERIOD, IN ENGLAND.

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I. Object of the Work, to describe the Pastimes and trace their Origin--II. The Romans in Britain--III. The Saxons--IV. The Normans--V. Tournaments and Justs--VI. Other Sports of the Nobility, and the Citizens and Yeomen--VII. Knightly Accomplishments--VIII. Esquireship--IX. Military Sports patronized by the Ladies--X. Decline of such Exercises--XI. and of Chivalry--XII. Military Exercises under Henry the Seventh--XIII. and under Henry the Eighth--XIV. Princely Exercises under James the First--XV. Revival of Learning--XVI. Recreations of the Sixteenth Century--XVII. Old Sports of the Citizens of London--XVIII. Modern Pastimes of the Londoners--XIX. Cotswold and Cornish Games--XX. Splendour of the ancient Kings and Nobility--XXI. Royal and noble Entertainments--XXII. Civic Shows--XXIII. Setting out of Pageants--XXIV. Processions of Queen Mary and King Philip of Spain in London--XXV. Chester Pageants--XXVI. Public Shows of the Sixteenth Century--XXVII. Queen Elizabeth at Kenelworth Castle--XXVIII. Love of Public Sights illustrated from Shakspeare--XXIX. Rope-dancing, tutored Animals, and Puppet-shows--XXX. Minstrelsy, Bell-ringing, &c.--XXXI. Baiting of Animals--XXXII. Pastimes formerly on Sundays--XXXIII. Royal Interference with them--XXXIV. Zeal against Wakes and May-Games--XXXV. Dice and Cards--XXXVI. Regulation of Gaming for Money by Richard Cœur de Lion, &c.--XXXVII. Statutes against Cards, Ball-play, &c.--XXXVIII. Prohibitions of Skittle play--XXXIX. Archery succeeded by Bowling--XL. Modern Gambling--XLI. Ladies' Pastimes, Needle-work--XLII. Dancing and Chess-play--XLIII. Ladies' Recreations in the Thirteenth Century.--XLIV. The Author's Labours.--Character of the Engravings. xv