8vo. xvi, 361pp, [1]. With half-title, a chromolithograph frontispiece and 39 further engraved illustrated plates. Finely bound by Asprey of London (stamp-signed to verso of FFEP) in contemporary gilt-tooled brown half-morocco, brown cloth boards, with thematic devices within spine compartments. Marbled endpapers, T.E.G. Lightly rubbed. Scattered spotting, particularly to edges.

The first of several popular history books on English traditions and customs produced by English teacher and prolific non-fiction author Frederick William Hackwood (1851 – 1926) for publisher T. Fisher Unwin in the early twentieth century. His study of Early English sporting customs covers hunting, hawking, jousting, archery, football, shooting, horse-racing, and bowls, and continues through more vicious 'animal sports' such as bear-baiting, dog-fighting, and throwing at cocks.