Project Gutenberg 2004-12-10 Public domain in the USA. 142 Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson) 1854 1930 Ditchfield, Peter Hampson Ditchfield, Peter H. (Peter Hampson) Old English Sports, Pastimes and Customs E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Richard J. Shiffer, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team "Old English Sports, Pastimes and Customs" by P. H. Ditchfield is a historical account published in the late 19th century that explores the rich tapestry of traditional English sports, games, and rural customs from bygone eras. The author paints a vibrant picture of how these practices were intertwined with the seasons and various holiday festivals throughout the year, reflecting a way of life that has largely faded in modern times. The opening of the text introduces readers to the engaging customs of January, highlighting the festive atmosphere surrounding New Year’s celebrations, wassailing traditions, and games such as sword dancing. Ditchfield articulates a sense of nostalgia, lamenting the loss of these joyful pastimes amidst the encroachment of modernity. Through detailed descriptions, he conveys the significance of community gatherings and the unique sports that characterized rural English life, setting the stage for a deeper examination of the festivals and customs that define each month of the year. This delightful account promises to revive interest in the communal spirit of English village life and its customs, making it a captivating read for those interested in history and cultural heritage. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 61.8 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. en England -- Social life and customs Holidays -- England Amusements -- England DA Text Category: History - Other Category: History - British Category: Sports/Hobbies 249423 2025-07-06T09:10:05.601994 text/html 218944 2024-10-28T21:20:50 text/html 3180726 2025-07-06T09:10:21.499321 application/epub+zip 3162642 2025-07-06T09:10:11.555930 application/epub+zip 147700 2025-07-06T09:10:08.211890 application/epub+zip 3829762 2025-07-06T09:10:27.008347 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 3787271 2025-07-06T09:10:17.239955 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 311691 2022-09-07T15:41:24.894670 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 185250 2023-10-06T12:32:14.253036 text/plain 165312 2024-10-28T21:20:50 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 16859 2025-07-06T09:10:27.826350 application/rdf+xml 17209 2025-07-06T09:10:08.772911 image/jpeg 3988 2025-07-06T09:10:08.493906 image/jpeg 3080898 2025-07-06T09:10:05.857975 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia