Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling
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Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling also known as Cumbrian Wrestling, is an ancient and well-practised tradition in Cumbria. It bears enough of a resemblance to Scottish Backhold, which is practiced just north of the border, for them to be classed under the joint heading of the North Country style.
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[edit] Origins
The origin of the North Country style of wrestling is a matter of debate, with some describing it as having evolved from Norse wrestling brought over by Viking invaders,[1][2] although as yet there is "no concrete evidence to support this theory".[3] Other historians associate it with the Cornish and Gouren styles[4] indicating that it may have developed out of a longer-standing Celtic tradition,[5] and the Fédération International des Luttes Celtique[6] classes Cumberland wrestling as Celtic.
[edit] Rules
The starting backhold position involves the wrestlers standing chest to chest, grasping each other around the body with their chins on their opponent's right shoulder. The right arm of each contestant is positioned above his opponents left arm. Once the grip is firmly taken the umpire gives the signal to start the contest by calling "hold". The wrestlers attempt to unbalance their opponent, or make them lose their hold, using any method other than kicking. This is known as a "fall". If any part of a wrestler's body touches the ground aside from his feet then he loses. If both fall down at once the last to hit the ground is deemed the winner. If it is unclear which wrestler hit the ground first the fall is disqualified and must be started again. this is known as a "dog fall". A win can also be achieved if either party loses his grip on the other while his opponent still retains his hold.
Wrestlers are required to wear stockings on their feet and nothing more than a vest on their top half to prevent cheating by gripping at an opponents jumper. Matches are decided by the best of three falls.
Competitions were traditionally held during New Years celebrations and on Midsummers day, with the chief bouts known as the Melmerby and Langwathby Rounds. Famous wrestlers when the style became widely known, in the 18th Century, included Adam Dodd of Langwathby Mill and Abraham Brown of Bampton school who was Britain's first middle-class wrestling hero. In the 21st century Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling along with other aspects of Lakeland culture are practised at the Grasmere Sports and Show, an annual meeting held every year since 1852 on the August Bank Holiday, and at several other Cumbrian and Northumbrian country gatherings such as the Cumberland Show, Wasdale Fair and Alwinton Border Shepherds Show.
