Photocopy and Transcript of footballing incident, 1599

Bloodshed at White Notley, 1599 [E.R.O. reference Q/SR 146/34

The early game of football had few rules and the only player ever named by position was the goal-keeper. Broken heads and spilt blood were not uncommon, as in this case where

 

'Thomas Whistock of White Notleye with nyne other of his fellowes...did play at an unlawfull game called fotebale whereon grew bludshedd',

Football Incident, 1599