History of the Game
Lawn bowling historians believe that the game developed from the Egyptians, dating circa 5,000 BC. The sport spread across the world and took on a variety of forms, Bocce (Italian), Bolla (Saxon), Bolle (Danish), Boules (French) and Ula Maika (Polynesian). The oldest Lawn Bowling green still played on is in Southampton, England where records show that the green has been in operation since 1299 A.D.
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King Henry VIII was also a lawn bowler but banned it for those who were not wealthy as he wanted the workers to spend more time practising their trade instead of lawn bowling.
King James I issued a publication called "The Book of Sports" and, although he condemned football (soccer) and golf, encouraged the play of bowls.
There are competing theories as to etymological origin of the word "Jack" (the small white bowl which is the "target" in lawn bowling), in use since 1611, but the most straightforward theory and the one most favoured is that it appears that Jack in some contexts meant a slightly smaller version of something. For example a jack-rabbit is a little rabbit. In this case a 'Jack-Bowl', was the little bowl, later shortened to 'Jack'.
Set of bowls with jack, C 1920. Note that these bowls are made of wood.
