The First Ever English Olimpick Games

Quirky and funny, while also being a serious account, this entertaining little paperback takes a historical event, THE FIRST EVER OLIMPICK GAMES, and looks at what it reveals about life in England in the seventeenth century: the history, monarchy, religion and politics. In a delightful manner, Celia Haddon tells the story of an incongruous mix: a Cotswold field and the Olympic Games and so brings history to life in a direct, readable and enjoyable way.



The founder of the games, Robert Dover, was a lawyer and 'the Great Inventor and Champion of English Olimpicks'. He had the support of James l who had himself written about suitable, manly sport, partly in answer to the Puritans who thought all games led to sin and sex. From the start Dover's games were a political, as well as a sporting, statement.



The Civil War put an end to the games. They were revived by Charles ll and continued into the 19th century when a Victorian Puritan vicar put an end to them on the grounds of licentious behaviour. Today they are still held - but as a shadow of their former glory.

Title - The First Ever English Olimpick Games

Edition -

Author - Celia Haddon

ISBN 13 - 9780340862834

Imprint - Hodder & Stoughton

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Date Published - 15/08/2005

Prize -

No. of pages -

Binding Type - Paperback

Dimensions - 126 x 176 x 14mm

Weight - 183 g

Languages - English