ORIGIN OF FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1930, Page 6

ORIGIN OF FOOTBALL

EARLY RECORDS SHOW GAME

AY AS FIRST PLAYED IN DERBYSHIRE.

DANE’S HEAD AS BALL

By—G.S.T.

It may astonish many Lo know that tile present popular game of football can be traced back to the time of our warlike ancestors, the Saxons, and that according to ancient records the first game was played in Derbyshire. To appreciate the conditions of that period, when Saxons and Danes were in evidence, it is well to study the instructive researches that have recently ibeen made. 'l'llus we get some insight into the thrilling events that took place in Derby and district in those early days. Sir Arthur Keith tells us that our forefathers came to these islands by two streams, one over the land, the other by the sea. It has also been proved that we arc of one stock and blood relationship, and although our ancestors fought theiir way in an,d had many feuds among themselves (as is common with brothers in the stages) we have now fraternised and become one nation, of world-wide repute.

It appears that some seafaring Dunito pioneers first settled in Ireland in very early times, but tile main body came via the Continent and crossed over after the Romans had vacated the country. The Saxons also came in about that time. According to the Saxon chronicles, the town of Repton. was not only a centre of sacred associations, tout also of civil life. This is proved bp the interment in the crypt of Repton Abbey of Mereu old, brother of Wuifhere, King of Mercia, who died G 75 A.D., of Cyunheard, King of the sixteen counties who died 100 years later, and of AViglaf, King of Mercia, who died in the 9tli century. We are also told that the Danes penetrated up the Trent into the land of Mercia in 874, and that they made Repton itheir winter quarters after taking the town and completely destroying the fine old abbey. According to Ingult, the abbey was “the most sacred

mausoleum of all the Kings of Mercia.”

Until the year 918 the Danes remained undisturbed in Repton, Derby, and a greater portion of the shire. In 918 Ethelfleda, Queen of the Mercians, the Sister of Alfred the Great, stormed Derby, and after a fierce and sanguinary conflict drove tbe Danes out of Derby and, according to the chronicle of Henry Huntingdon, out of the whole shire and the surrounding district. It is recorded that the first football match played on English soil was played throng]) the streets of Derby on the day following the defeat of the Danes by Queen Ethelfleda. So great was the jubilation that the townsfolk divided themselves into two opposing teams, the football being the head of a Dane which was kicked or carried indiscriminately. We now come to the year 9.37. In this year Athelstan won his victory at Brunanburh over a vast host of Danes and Scots. According, .to Mr W. T. Andrew, the site of Brunanburh is in North Derbyshire, and it is more than j ll At possible that the Ashbourne Shrovetide football was the outcome of tliis great victory, the inhabitants of Esseburne desiring to emulate the deeds of their neighbours of Derby (the football being the head or a Dane). Esseburn is die original name of Ashburne, and Ethelfleda was commonly called Lady of Mercia. Further researches reveal the fact that terrific conflicts between Saxons and Danes

raged around Lullington and Clifton.Lullington was taken by neither Danes nor Formans. Clifton resisted the Danes, but was given to a Norman called Camville, hence Clifton Camville now Clifton Campvilie. Lullington was so called after Lullon, their chief, who appears to have been a great leader and one who possessed remarkable military skill. Remains of his formidable system of earth works may still be seen. The strategic points were not only thoroughly defended, but a complete circle of earthworks keeping the slade in the centre was also constructed. “Slade” is a Saxon word meaning “a grassy slope in the centre of a wood.” The earthwork —now a large pond—may be seen in the “Slade,” and into this the old men, women, and children would flee for safety when an attack was imminent. When the defending force was driven back the last stand would always be in the slade.” A complete circle of earthworks engirdles Lullington bill with the “slade” in the centre. Lullington was then a formidable Saxon stronghold, Lulla having settled there early in the sixth century. One of the field's at Lultington still retains its Saon name, whilst the' remains of an old Saxon font may still be seen in the parish church. It is remarkable fact that nearly all the neighboursing villages were taken by the Danes and then by the Normans where as Lullington remained a Saxon colony, and bears a Saxon name to-day. The formidable defence works on the side of the river certainly indicate that the Danes made many determined attacks on the place. On the opposite side of the river stands Clifton Cninpville, this village like Imllingtonl being another of the very few in the neighbourhood that continued a Saxon colony! after the Norman conquest. A strong , system of Saxon defence works can be r seen to-day on the Clifton Campvilie bill, and it is only reasonable to as-! snme that the successive attacks on the

part of the Danes were repulsed through either of the colonies coming to the assistance of the other. That the Danes would not have overlooked two such strong and commanding positions as luiKington and Clifton must be obvious to anyone who has seen them. That Coton, Roshton and Linton continued Saxon colonies after the Norman Conquest, was possibly due to the fact Hint the Lullington force was never defeated, and thus constituted a barrier against the Danes. ' There is a great controversy to-day whether the Danes took Nctherseale, and it can only he decided by the derivation o>f tlie name, but opinions differ on this point.’ In the Doomsday Book the name is “Seela,” and the common opinion is that it is derived from “sallow” a willow, i.e., ‘“salig” and “salix.” The gentive plural is “scales”, Tee* landic “selga.” Trees were frequently used as landmarks, and willows would abound in the low lying lands of Nethcrseale. AA r e are told in the old Clmrchide that “three rivers run towards Netherseale and meeting almost encircle it, saving a little by west-south-west. AA'itli all due respect to the holders of the aforesaid derivation, 1 am of opinion that the Danes took Nctherseale, and that the name is derived from the Danish “skali,” a shelter, wooden hut nr shepherd’s hut. The strongest argument in favour of this derivation is Overseal, as it would be in accord with the high ground that is between Oversea! and Netherseale. It would be quite natural to say the Over and the Nether side of the shepherd’s hut, which would most certainly be situated on a hill, rather than to say the Over and the Nether side of the willows, because there are usually found growing in the low lying land. At the same time of the Norman Conquest, Netherseale passed into the hands of a Norman who called himself “de Seile.” His son Rafe de Seile in 1181 gave lands to the Abbev o'f Netherseale.

Fierce fighting raged around Netherseale and a piece of land adjoining still bears tlie name of “Dead Dane Meadon-.” ‘ Looking over the landscape on a peaceful moonlight- night it is hard to realise that it was once the scene of turmoil and bloodshed.