Devon wrestling
Encyclopedia
Devon wrestling is a type of wrestling
that was
popular in the nineteenth century. The Devonshire fashion of wrestling allows hardened footwear to be worn and kicking intended to disable the opponent.
It has similarities to Cornish wrestling
but it was reputed to focus more on foot moves and less on throwing. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century many Devon wrestlers used to wear "baked" boots when wrestling, which could cause serious injury to opponents (on rare occasions leading to death).
The best known champion Devon wrestler is Abraham Cann
of Colebrooke, Devon. Cann was the Devon champion and faced the Cornish champion James Polkinghorne
in a match in Morice Town
, now in Plymouth
, in 1826, watched by a crowd of 17,000 (after some dispute the match was declared a draw). Cann had defeated John Jordan, Flower, Wreyford, Simon Webber, and the other good wrestlers in Devon, and carried off the prizes at all the places where he became a competitor.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
that was
popular in the nineteenth century. The Devonshire fashion of wrestling allows hardened footwear to be worn and kicking intended to disable the opponent.
It has similarities to Cornish wrestling
Cornish wrestling
Cornish wrestling is a form of wrestling which has been established in Cornwall, an area of southwest Britain for several centuries. The referee is known as a 'stickler', and it is claimed that the popular meaning of the word as a 'pedant' originates from this usage...
but it was reputed to focus more on foot moves and less on throwing. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century many Devon wrestlers used to wear "baked" boots when wrestling, which could cause serious injury to opponents (on rare occasions leading to death).
The best known champion Devon wrestler is Abraham Cann
Abraham Cann
Abraham Cann was an English wrestler of the 19th century.-Life:Cann was the son of Robert Cann, a farmer and a wrestler in Devonshire, and his wife, Mary. Although his date of birth is apparently unknown, young Abraham was baptised at Colebrooke, near Crediton, on 2 December 1794...
of Colebrooke, Devon. Cann was the Devon champion and faced the Cornish champion James Polkinghorne
James Polkinghorne
James Polkinghorne was a champion Cornish wrestler of the 19th century. He was born in 1788 at St Keverne, Cornwall, United Kingdom but spent much of his life at St. Columb Major, where he ran a pub called the Red Lion.-Cann's match with Polkinghorne:...
in a match in Morice Town
Morice Town
Morice Town is a suburb of Plymouth in the English county of Devon.It named after Sir William Morice who owned the land at the time that it was being developed for housing for the employees in the Naval Dockyard. It was originally a part of the town of Devonport but since the amalgamation of the...
, now in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, in 1826, watched by a crowd of 17,000 (after some dispute the match was declared a draw). Cann had defeated John Jordan, Flower, Wreyford, Simon Webber, and the other good wrestlers in Devon, and carried off the prizes at all the places where he became a competitor.