Remembrance Of Things Past

Lest you think that sports began in 1900, here are a few milestones from the first 900 years of the millennium.

1201
Saint Bernardine asks parishioners in Siena, Italy, to substitute fistfights for knife duels

1299
Southampton Bowling Club formed in England

1349
Edward III of England declares soccer to be among games that are "stupid and utterly useless" (an opinion still held by many in U.S.)

1520
While attending a summit between their countries, wrestling buffs Francis I of France and Henry VIII of England stage a battle royale (right)

1570
Henri Saint-Didier of France gives names to major fencing moves, such as coup� and prise de fer, which mostly endure to this day

1592
Frenchman named Forbet writes first rules for tennis

1621
Massachusetts governor William Bradford bans the playing of "stoole-ball," an early form of cricket, at the settlement of Plymouth on Christmas Day

1648
Japanese authorities ban street-corner sumo

1668
First documented U.S. horse race takes place on Newmarket Course near current Hempstead, N.Y.