Understanding the ORIGIN & EVOLUTION of Sport

Volume 1

RUGBY UNION

Dai Richards

ISBN 978-0-9531714-1-5

Sources of reference for the book "Understanding the ORIGIN & EVOLUTION of Sport, Volume 1, Rugby Union" by Dai Richards. The sources for the references on this page are sub-divided by subject so will not appear in the same order as they do in the book. To view references by their code please click on the links below. To view the references in the order in which they appear in the book please CLICK HERE .

The illustrations of the pages from books on this page are copied in accordance with the united Kingdom Copyright, Design & Patents Act 1988 section 30 (1) 'fair dealing for criticism or review'  

AAME  -  APRL  -  CAFA  -  CALT  -  FMRU  -  FMWW  -  FORU  -  HCBR  -  HRGH  -  JGPR  -  JMRB  -  JRWR  -  LCFG  -  LEVS  -  MBRN  -  METR  -  MLHE  -  MRFP  -  MSAF  -  MSFC  -  MSFT  -  NHSR  -  OPED  -  ORSR  -  PTRF  -  RHBF  -  RMOU  -  RMPW  -  RSPQ  -  RSRE  -  SSUG  -  TCGW  -  TJED  -  WRHR  -  WRRS  - WRSS  -   WRUH

FACEBOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS - In the book I stated that I would create a facebook discussion group with a view to discussing the origin of Rugby Union. This is still a future possibility but for the moment I invite analysis of my book both critical and complimentary via email to:  info@world-rugby-museum.com

Please note that I will only publish critical emails if the criticism is of my analysis not my style of writing. If you are critical please be aware that I will make a counter analysis of your email if I believe you to be incorrect.

To view updates and analysis on the book "Understanding the ORIGIN & EVOLUTION of Sport - Volume 1 - Rugby Union" please........... CLICK HERE

This 60 page book is widely regarded as the oldest on rugby football. It's focus is on football as played at the public schools with a short chapter on 'association' rules. The source code RHBF??? follows any quotes taken from this book (??? = page numbers).

An important publication in the history of rugby football. This book is quoted in the 1897 Old Rugbeian Society Report on the 'Origin of Rugby Football' and in the opening chapter of Rev Frank Marshall's 'Football - The Rugby Union Game' although the title is misquoted by Marshall, swapping the five for a two.

Following on from the above publication Shearman covers folk football in greater depth.  

The first rugby only history and the major reference work for most historians on early rugby football.

FMRU001

This publication was responsible for naming William Webb Ellis as the founder of Rugby Football. 

Shearman's Athletics and Football is split into two volumes. This book sees Shearman admit that he made an error with his 'original' game surviving only at Rugby School because of the 'open spaces. He also quotes the paragraph from the Old Rugbeian Society Report that includes the Webb Ellis event.

One of the first rugby histories published after the plaque was laid.

 William Webb Ellis entered Oxford University in 1825 just two years after the 'event' on Rugby School Close. Ross McWhirter, co-author of this history of the University was probably the best authority on William Webb Ellis of the period and it was he who discovered Ellis' final resting place in Menton, France.  

A general history on the sport of Rugby Union.

page 2 of the laws section from the 1979/80 handbook this is the same as the  1978/9 version - to be replaced

page 14 of the laws section

A book published to accompany a BBC television series on the history of Rugby Football of the same name.

A book published to accompany a BBC television series "The Union Game" which was first broadcast in 1999.

Deals only with the origin of the sport.   

An interesting look at the history of Rugby Union. 
    

A look at how the game of rugby spread around the world

A look at folk football and how it is supposedly the origins of seven different types of football

The recollections of a former Rugby School pupil, he mentions foot-ball on page 11, this mention must date between 1803 and 1806

a detailed history of Rugby School

Autobiographical notes from Nimrod, born near Wrexham in North Wales, a boarder at Rugby School (1790+ ). He wrote extensively on horse related sports for ‘The Sporting Magazine’. The notes on his early life appeared initially in 10 installments in Fraser’s Magazine, the first in January 1842.

Pages from Chapter 27 ‘Of the Ball’

An in depth history of Eton College – revised and updated from previous editions 

includes reference to the nature of all three Eton Football games.

A detailed history of the Eton Field Game 

1847 Eton Field Game Rules

Used for the definition of terms in the book.

Bloxam letter 1872

Fatal Accident

Adams letter

Headmaster 1

Guillemard 1

Headmaster 2

Old Rug

Guillemard 2

Bloxam

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"UNDERSTANDING THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF SPORT"

Volume 1 – RUGBY UNION - by Dai Richards

“The origin of Rugby Union explained”

When Richie McCaw raised aloft the William Webb Ellis trophy after the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, few people would have thought about the schoolboy after whom the trophy was named. In his recent publication, sport historian Dai Richards explores the origin of Rugby Union and closely examines how sports evolve. He contends that the 1897 report by the Old Rugbeian Society that named Webb Ellis as the founder of rugby football was incorrect in its conclusion and that the origin of the sport has been misrepresented throughout written history. Through thorough research and analysis, the origin of Rugby Union is instead placed with the boys of Rugby School in the late 18th century. Published in a limited signed edition, this book is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of Rugby Union or the development of sport in general. 

ISBN: 978-0-9531714-1-5

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