Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: Croquet History
Apr 13, 2024
Explore the intriguing history of croquet, from its murky origins to its evolution into a competitive sport. Learn about the roots of the game in Western France, its migration to England and the US, and its resurgence in popularity. Discover the legacy of key figures like Walter Jones Whitmore and the growth of croquet internationally.
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Six Wicket Variant And US Rules
- A US six-wicket variant uses two triangular wicket arrangements on a smaller 50 by 40 foot court played in a spiral pattern.
- Jack Osborn later codified this abbreviated six-wicket style and the US Croquet Association supports it.
Croquet Sold As Healthy Accessible Leisure
- 19th-century writers touted croquet as healthy, accessible outdoor recreation offering fresh air with minimal fatigue and intellectual strategy.
- Arthur Lillie and Walter Jones Whitmore argued croquet fit all ages and sexes and beat cricket and billiards on cost and accessibility.
Medieval Brittany Origins Of Croquet
- Proto-croquet likely began in 13th-century Brittany with wooden balls, crude mallets, and willow-hoops; by 17th century English writers recorded an alley game called Pelmel.
- The Croquet Foundation of America links these early willow-hoop games to modern croquet's origins.