Alan Brodrick, 2nd Viscount Midleton
Encyclopedia
Alan Brodrick, 2nd Viscount Midleton (31 January 1702 – 8 June 1747) was a British peer and significant cricket
patron who was jointly responsible for creating the earliest known written rules.
in the viscountcy on 29 August 1728. Before succeeding he made his mark as a cricket
patron by arranging major matches against his friend Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond
.
Records have survived of two such games that took place in the 1727 season
. These two games are highly significant because Richmond and Brodrick drew up Articles of Agreement beforehand to determine the rules that must apply in their contests. These were itemised in sixteen points. It is believed that this was the first time that rules (or some part of the rules as in this case) were formally agreed, although rules as such definitely existed. The first full codification of the Laws of Cricket
was done in 1744. In early times, the rules would be agreed orally and subject to local variations; this syndrome was also evident in football until the FA was founded, especially re the question of handling the ball. Essentially the articles of agreement were around residential qualifications and ensuring that there was no dissent by any player other than the two captains.
One of Brodrick's matches against Richmond is believed to have been held at Peper Harow, the family seat of the Brodrick family, which is near Godalming
. A local club still plays there and it is the location of a point-to-point racecourse.
and his wife Lucy (née Courthope), who died in 1703. He married Lady Mary Capel, daughter of Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex
and Lady Mary Bentinck, on 7 May 1729.
The 2nd Viscount was a Commissioner of the Customs and subsequently Joint Comptroller of British Army accounts. He in turn was succeeded by his son George as 3rd Viscount. The title is extant and is today held by Alan Henry Brodrick, 12th Viscount Midleton (b. 1949).
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
patron who was jointly responsible for creating the earliest known written rules.
Cricket patronage
Midleton succeeded his father Alan Brodrick, 1st Viscount MidletonAlan Brodrick, 1st Viscount Midleton
Alan Brodrick, 1st Viscount Midleton PC was an Irish lawyer and politician.-Background:He was the second son of Sir St John Brodrick of Ballyannan, near Midleton in County Cork, by his wife Alice , daughter of Laurence Clayton of Mallow, County Cork and sister of Colonel Randall Clayton M.P., of...
in the viscountcy on 29 August 1728. Before succeeding he made his mark as a cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
patron by arranging major matches against his friend Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond
Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond
The 2nd Duke of Richmond has been described as early cricket's greatest patron. Although he had played cricket as a boy, his real involvement began after he succeeded to the dukedom...
.
Records have survived of two such games that took place in the 1727 season
1727 English cricket season
The 1727 English cricket season saw a number of matches promoted by wealthy landowners like the Duke of Richmond, Sir William Gage, Mr Alan Brodrick and Mr Edward Stead...
. These two games are highly significant because Richmond and Brodrick drew up Articles of Agreement beforehand to determine the rules that must apply in their contests. These were itemised in sixteen points. It is believed that this was the first time that rules (or some part of the rules as in this case) were formally agreed, although rules as such definitely existed. The first full codification of the Laws of Cricket
Laws of cricket
The laws of cricket are a set of rules established by the Marylebone Cricket Club which describe the laws of cricket worldwide, to ensure uniformity and fairness. There are currently 42 laws, which outline all aspects of how the game is played from how a team wins a game, how a batsman is...
was done in 1744. In early times, the rules would be agreed orally and subject to local variations; this syndrome was also evident in football until the FA was founded, especially re the question of handling the ball. Essentially the articles of agreement were around residential qualifications and ensuring that there was no dissent by any player other than the two captains.
One of Brodrick's matches against Richmond is believed to have been held at Peper Harow, the family seat of the Brodrick family, which is near Godalming
Godalming
Godalming is a town and civil parish in the Waverley district of the county of Surrey, England, south of Guildford. It is built on the banks of the River Wey and is a prosperous part of the London commuter belt. Godalming shares a three-way twinning arrangement with the towns of Joigny in France...
. A local club still plays there and it is the location of a point-to-point racecourse.
Viscountcy and family
Brodrick was the son of Alan Brodrick, 1st Viscount MidletonAlan Brodrick, 1st Viscount Midleton
Alan Brodrick, 1st Viscount Midleton PC was an Irish lawyer and politician.-Background:He was the second son of Sir St John Brodrick of Ballyannan, near Midleton in County Cork, by his wife Alice , daughter of Laurence Clayton of Mallow, County Cork and sister of Colonel Randall Clayton M.P., of...
and his wife Lucy (née Courthope), who died in 1703. He married Lady Mary Capel, daughter of Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex
Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex
Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex PC was an English nobleman, a soldier and courtier. He was the son of Arthur Capell, 1st Earl of Essex and Elizabeth Percy. After his father's suicide in 1683, Capell became the 2nd Earl of Essex...
and Lady Mary Bentinck, on 7 May 1729.
The 2nd Viscount was a Commissioner of the Customs and subsequently Joint Comptroller of British Army accounts. He in turn was succeeded by his son George as 3rd Viscount. The title is extant and is today held by Alan Henry Brodrick, 12th Viscount Midleton (b. 1949).