Most cultures have references to competitions of strength that involve pulling in opposite directions which can be found on stone carvings, in ancient texts and legends. Vikings used animal skins stretched across a fire pit, if any more incentive to pull were required. When tall ships were common on the seas a ‘tug ‘o’ war’ was a common way for sailors to show their prowess with heavy rigging. Dropped from the Olympic Games in 1920, Tug of War still remains a Worldwide sport and many nations have their own governing bodies. Aside from formal competitions ‘pulls’ feature at many fairs and festivals. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on their favourite side. TLB has been known to compete in the odd competition - someone may post an old sepia picture if we're lucky.
We used to have some great tug of war sessions in the regimental mess after a regimental dinner Imagine 12 guys 6 aside sat on a floor in mess kit with gold insignia costing over £400 fueled on wine and spirits the front two shoe to show clutching a broomstick. The remaining team members hold on like pillion passengers then PULL I lost more mess shirts as we swayed and pulled to win. A bloody broomstick It was great fun honestly but not as good as table sliding or mess rugby using a cabbage as the ball. Many a score was settled during these challenges Arte Et Marte
I don’t have the picture , but I do have a link to the thread posted by the boasting brickwerk lot after the event and always wanted to have a proper rematch with them, I did try to organise one the following year, but it was postponed We should all go this year and win the thing http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/tug-o-war-at-camperjam_topic66609.html
Not sure if this bit was true or if it’s been made up by Mr Hollywood and Co. Apparently the Romans would torture prisoners and captives after a victory in battle. They would quite often have their victims fight their very best fighters to which the ending was fairly obvious. One of the games they would play with these hapless captives or extremely strong ones that may have survived against a few of their better fighters, they’d play tug of war with four teams of four or five having a large rope tied to the wrists and ankles of the person and then they’d keep pulling until a winner pulled a limb completely off. Agonising doesn’t even come in to it. Ozziedog,,,.,,,, delightful, this civilisation malarkey
