
Tennis, football, rugby, golf, cricket, polo, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, billiards, squash – the list goes on. A basic human need is to play and, it would seem, play with balls.
Balls have been part of life in every sense of the inflection of the word from the very earliest times: whether it is a puppy or baby watching something rolling away and giving chase, or a more organised game portrayed on crumbing walls depicting life in ancient Egyptian life. Ball games were certainly described in Greek and Roman narratives and in one scene in the Odyssey, it was the ladies, Nausicaa and her maids, who went to the seashore, and, after washing the cloths, played a ball game on the beach with laughs, giggles and shouts.
The very word can lead to great hilarity. Sally in the gift shop has entirely failed to live down her immortal lines on the subject which were included in a TV programme. She was caught on camera asking the gardeners, who were in a cherry picker in the castle courtyard attaching various Christmas decorations, if they would kindly raise up their balls.

My grandfather (WHH Aitken)- an outstanding golfer
Games and sport are about taking pleasure: the word sport is taken from the old French “desporter”- to divert or amuse. Many require teams, collaboration, planning and the execution of a plan which is inevitably tempered by real life during the course of the game. Equally, they require agility, speed, discipline and esprit de corps which extends to those who watch in a grandstand or in homes or pubs to cheer their teams and players on.
Perhaps such games evoke echoes of our remote past, perhaps they are acknowledging our natural reversionary nature, recalling the serious activities that helped us survive for millennia. In Roman times, an emperor’s standing was often corroborated or enhanced by the games and spectacles he staged in the coliseum to entertain the populace. The drama of football today is similarly related to the audience: everyone freely expressing every feeling, shouting, waving, punching the air, in some ways a relief of tension.
The one thing we have all perhaps missed the most during the pandemic is company and the hospitality which lies at the heart of society, the fact of being together. It was therefore a great treat for us to be invited by Ralph Lauren to watch the Ladies finals at Wimbledon.
Historians believe that tennis originated in 12th century France, where a ball was struck with the palm of the hand – jeu de palme (game of the palm). This gradually evolved into the game of real tennis. In the 14th century Louis X built indoor courts and by the 16th century, rackets began to be used and the game began to be called tennis from the French term “tenez” – to hold or receive. However, the development of the tennis game known best today – lawn tennis – is claimed by the British in the 19th century and Wimbledon still holds a special place in the imaginations and heritage of the game, whatever nationality.
Saturday’s Finals was an amazing match and the speed and elegant power with which each point and ball was played was extraordinary. Like all top sports, it was the result of practice, balance, perseverance, and competitiveness and, in the end, it is about winning. The ritual or tradition of Wimbledon is also a spectacle: slightly overcast skies (it is the British summer), appearances and matches orchestrated and organised with pride and precision from the ball boys, to the umpire and the most precise unrolling of the carpet for prize giving.
Different to football but with the same crowd participation with the oohs and aahs and laughter of the audience as we held our breath through various points before cheering and clapping.
After such ceremony, it was back to Highclere to throw old tennis balls for the dogs and to kick a football around for them as we set off in the rain for a welcome walk at the end of a day. Such is the English summer.
Love a dog, or two . Really nice rainbow photo.
Thank you
Reading your blogs always makes me smile
I am glad!
Speaking of balls, that is one of the first thing children love to play with. It starts when they are just tossing from the adult to them. With lots of laughs. Before you know it they are playing basketball, football, tennis and soccer.
And even our older children(husbands) are glued to the Television to watch other people play those games. Maybe it has something to do about the BIG ball we live on. Thank you for your thoughts. Good way to start the day.
Also, our North Carolina weather is much like yours. Rain almost everyday.
Ending the day with a walk and a rainbow! What a lovely time!
Interesting, informative, enjoyable & sometimes funny – you’ve done it again Lady Carnarvon, thank you for making my Monday special xx
Caroline
Name dropping drives the narrative.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Such beautiful descriptions of the many types of ball games. It makes me think of the American song, written to champion the national pastime of baseball, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. It speaks to just what you have written about…. the tradition, the comradeship, the enthusiasm felt by watching the game with others. Football here in the USA is quite different from football in Europe, and uses an oddly shaped ball. But it is a ball game nonetheless!
As we return to our favorite pastimes, there is much to celebrate. Travel will be another favorite pastime I look forward to, and especially when it includes a return visit to Highclere! Thank you for another wonderful Monday post! I hope that you and your family continue to stay safe and well
The Women’s and Men’s Finals at Wimbledon were absolutely fantastic!! I watched them both with great happiness that they were back!!
Best regards,
Charlotte Merriam Cole
It is indeed great some of these events are back!
Thank you for that fascinating insight. I’m looking forward to my visit to Highclere tomorrow. A long awaited treat.
Lady Carnarvon l lovely pictures of Wimbledon tennis and the dogs likes with ball
We put a brush fence on the lower edge of our land, just before the road, to catch errant balls. It also marks the edge of “lawn” and not-lawn. Thanks for everything!
Dear Lady Carnarvon
A most interesting Blog. Seems the Ball was dominant in Human history. Perhaps the shape of Our
Heads had something to do with that. Of all major sports the only one that comes to mind that does not use a Ball is Canadian Ice Hockey and Curling and of course Badminton, which your beautiful lawns bring to mind.
Again your Blog makes Us take a Moment to contemplate the given subject you propound for the day.
I hope that Sally can take comfort in the title of a book by Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrison. The title is “55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments, Tree Decorations, Centerpieces, Wreaths, Window Dressings.”
The better word to use in the title of the book might have been “ornament,” and I was teased at a knitting group for finding the title amusing.
When I first saw the title of today’s posting, I was thinking of the kind with music and dancing. I was not disappointed to find it about sports. Your posts never fail to educate and the photos are sublime.
Thank you Marla
As always I greatly appreciate your weekly writings recounted with such flair and humour ; this time on the subject of ball games and their history and social importance.
It brought to mind my own visits to Wimbledon in the mid 1970s and I particularly remember the long hot summer of 1976. As a student we just bought day tickets for standing room only and were able to wander from court to court. I was lucky enough to see such luminaries as Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, Virginia Wade and many others. However I think my standing days at all day sporting events are now past…. nowadays I much prefer some comfort!
I prefer a seat and pimms!
I’m so happy I found your blog and signed up. I look forward to seeing more from you!
Welcome to my Monday blog family
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a fun weekend being present at the Wimbledon woman’s finals. Just being around others must have been exciting.
Sorry that the Euro Football finals didn’t go England’s way; however, congratulations to Italy.
Enjoy your week,
Pam
They did play well
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I thoroughly enjoyed your narrative on balls. I’m a huge tennis fan, not so much football, but I did watch all of England’s matches in the Euro’s, thank heavens they didn’t clash with Wimbledon, which was excellent this year. I bought lots of Wimbledon tennis balls last year, the tubes as yet unopened, as keepsakes of the year that never was. Playing ball with so many Labradors must be interesting! I have just one Labrador, Hudson who dutifully brings the ball back every time, until my Lurcher runs off with it and loses it in the meadow. Tennis ball invariably get chewed after they’ve been left out in the rain and become smelly, hence the Wimbledon ones will only come out for tennis!
Kind regards,
Jane
Fabulous idea!!
And we watched the National soccer BALL – football final between England and Italy. Cheering with gusto for England yesterday from San Juan Island Brewery in Puget Sound, WA.
Thank you!
Your musings and observations are always a wonderful way to begin a new week. It was an exciting week in Britian!
It was – not always easy but out of those times perhaps we become stronger
oh ENGLAND 🙁
Can only say one thing: Balls!
Yes, well….
Quite David!
I’m from England myself, are from across the pond as they always seem to say in the movies?
Enjoyable as ever. I once biked by Ralph Lauren’s fence along the road on a bike trip in the Colorado Rockies. It was kind of famous at the time and the organizers told us to look it along the road since is was fancier than most ranch fences you see out there. I also love his clothes and if I emptied my closet of everything except my Lauren, I would still be able to get by just fine, but I have to admit, I get a lot at outlet malls in the US. Getting back to balls, I am amazed at people who do well with them. In school, I was always the last person picked for any team in gym class, and more often than not, took cover when one was coming at me. To this day, I will not even play volley ball or soft ball at a picnic. Probably why I gravitated to cycling and horses. It is fun to watch people and dogs at play, though, and I do enjoy tossing one around for my cat.
Stella and Freya just love fetching a ball and arguing about it on the way!!!
Good Monday again Lady Carnarvon, thank you again for another educational and entertaining read. Love the historic comments and photographs you posted and the statement from Sally interpreted differently then she intended! You are so correct that “balls” have been a part of everyday life for ages. I’ve enjoyed many a “ball sport” since my young days and now taking up the newest one of “pickleball”. Such a funny name for that game.
Also glad you were able to attend the Ladies Wimbledon Finals! It must have felt great to get out and about for a day after all the days at home due to the pandemic. It was also nice to see Prince William and his lovely Kate in the Royal Box and presenting the trophy to the winner.
Good luck with the week ahead. I am envious of our fellow Monday Blog subscriber that states a visit to your castle tomorrow! Both of you enjoy the day!
Looking forward to next Monday morning.
Take care, remain well.
It was such a treat to go to Wimbledon.
Lady Carnarvon, Balls are a very important object. They bring excitement and happiness whether in a large group or playing with your pet. Happiness, that is what it is all about. Thank you for such an informative story. Cheryl
Happiness! Yes
Thank you Lady Carnarvon,
Lovely article on ‘Balls’. I love how you find so much to include in a theme. For me it always amazes me how as humans we will sit for hours watching a ball being kicked about on a pitch!. I found myself watching Sundays England V Italy, something I never normally do, so I am hooked!, well maybe not!.
I am also hooked on watching Downton abbey from series 1, once again, quite relaxing. Especially as my Great Aunt (Florence Adeline Borett) may well have served as nurse when Highclere Castle was used as hospital in WW1.
Best wishes
Sheila
I do sometimes wonder what it is all about! How amazing about your great aunt!
Lady Carnarvon,
I thoroughly enjoy your podcasts. As an American Paleoindian Archaeologist (retired) I do follow much of the new and exciting Egyptian finds, and the 5th Earl Carnarvon connection to the unearthing of King Tut’s tomb. Your photographs are wonderful.
Best wishes,
Kris
Thank you
I’ve just watched a recording of the Ladies’ Final at Wimbledon and wasn’t it a joy to see such well mannered players, they are bothsuch a credit to the game!
‘Love seeing the doggies play soccer. Great fun! And sorry about Italy beating England, it is still much to be proud of as #2, yes? Wonderful tennis matches, and all your tales of balls and balls are great. Hopefully Highclere ground and parking areas were not flooded? Sending some Greek summer sunshine ( and heat, ugh) your way!
Thank you
Lady Carnarvon:
Your blogs have a nice way of changing the subject.
Thank you.
Marcia Hanna
Lady Carnarvon,
I wasn’t able to read your blog yesterday as an email as it does around 8 am every Monday – it never appeared on my ipad….. I don’t know why. It occurred to me that I could look you up by your website, so here I am, a bit late.
The history of sports was so interesting. My step-daughter spent a half-year in England after university graduation just so she could go to Wimbledon. She supported herself by working in a pub and living upstairs! Just to se glorious Wimbledon!
I hope your blog appears on my ipad next Monday morning. I don’t want to miss it again!
Have a merry week with the doggies and their balls!
Martha G
Thank you it is always there! I aim to publish at lunchtime every Monday
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
I did not receive my Monday morning E-mail .
I read your blog via Facebook. Good story, funny lines, and great pictures; especially the rainbow .
Speaking of balls, our Detroit Tigers are in third place for the Central Division.
Until next week, may you have a good week.
Perpetua Crawford
Thank you – I will ask the company who hosts it it check links!
Lady Carnarvon,
My mom played ⛳ ️♂️. She played in tournaments. This was not my game. I remember my brother and I could not wait until the 19th hole-lunch time at the Restaurant.
Thank for sharing your stories.
Phyllis Simpson
USA