Darts is a popular game that has been played for centuries. It is enjoyed in homes, pubs, and clubs all around the world. The game involves throwing darts at a circular board that is divided into numbered segments. While the modern dartboard has undergone several changes over time, the origins of the game can be traced back to ancient times. In this article, we will explore the history of the oldest dartboard.
The oldest known dartboard was found in the Great Hall of Ockwells Manor, a historic house located in Berkshire, England. The house was built in the 15th century, and the dartboard was discovered during a restoration project in the 19th century. The board is made of elm wood and is approximately 18 inches in diameter. It has 12 radial sections, each of which is marked with a number from one to twelve.
The dartboard at Ockwells Manor is unique because it has no outer ring or double and triple sections. Instead, each section has an equal value, and the goal is simply to hit the number you are aiming for. This is known as the “Yorkshire” board and is still used today in some areas of the United Kingdom.
While the dartboard at Ockwells Manor is the oldest known example, it is not the only historical dartboard that has been discovered. Another ancient dartboard was found in a tavern in Lancashire, England, in the 1920s. This board was made of poplar wood and dates back to the 16th century. It had a similar design to the Yorkshire board, with 12 equal sections and no outer ring.
The earliest references to darts can be traced back to the 14th century. The game was played by soldiers who used arrows and tree trunks as targets. By the 16th century, darts had become a popular pastime in taverns and inns throughout England. However, the game was often seen as a form of gambling, and many authorities attempted to ban it.
Despite these attempts, darts continued to grow in popularity, and by the 19th century, it had become a popular sport in its own right. The standardization of the game came about during this time, with the establishment of rules and regulations governing the size and design of the dartboard. The modern dartboard has evolved significantly since then, with improvements in materials, design, and construction techniques.
Today, the standard dartboard is made of sisal fibers, which are compressed and bound together to create a durable and resilient surface. The board is divided into 20 numbered sections, each of which is further divided into double and triple segments. The outer ring is divided into two sections, with the outermost section known as the “double bullseye” or the “outer bull.” The inner ring is known as the “bullseye” or the “inner bull.”
The modern dartboard is used in professional tournaments and is the standard used in most parts of the world. However, there are still some areas where the Yorkshire board is used, particularly in the north of England. This version of the game is seen as a more traditional and purist form of darts.
The oldest known dartboard is the one found at Ockwells Manor in Berkshire, England. It dates back to the 15th century and is made of elm wood. The board is unique because it has 12 equal sections and no outer ring or double and triple segments. This design is still used in some parts of the United Kingdom and is known as the Yorkshire board. While the modern dartboard has undergone significant changes since the days of the ancient soldiers, the game of darts remains a popular pastime enjoyed by people all over the world.
While the game of darts is now widely recognized as a recreational activity, it was not always so. In the past, darts was often viewed as a dangerous and subversive pastime, and there were many attempts to regulate or ban the game entirely.
One notable example of this was the 1908 Manchester Dart Riots, which were sparked when local authorities attempted to ban darts from being played in public houses. The ban was seen as an infringement of personal liberties, and protests quickly turned violent. The riots lasted for several days and resulted in widespread property damage and dozens of arrests.
Despite these early controversies, the game of darts continued to grow in popularity throughout the 20th century. In the 1930s, the first national darts league was established in the United Kingdom, and by the 1950s, the game had spread to other parts of Europe and the United States.
Today, darts is played by millions of people around the world, and there are numerous professional tournaments and leagues in which players can compete. The most prestigious of these is the World Darts Championship, which takes place annually in London and attracts some of the best players from around the globe.
In recent years, there has also been a growing interest in the history and culture of darts, with numerous books, documentaries, and podcasts exploring the game’s rich heritage. The sport has even been the subject of several feature films, including the 2007 comedy-drama “Blackball” and the 2018 documentary “House of Flying Arrows.”
Despite its evolution over the centuries, the game of darts remains rooted in tradition, with many players continuing to use the Yorkshire board and other older versions of the game. Whether played in a local pub or on a world stage, darts remains a beloved pastime that is sure to entertain and excite for generations to come.
