Spectators sitting on Dovers Hill watching the Cotswold Olympicks on Dover's Hill Gloucestershire GB UK
The sport of Shin-Kicking has been practised on Dover's Hill, near Chipping Campden, since the early 17th Century. Although not as aggressive as earlier versions, where players were said to have hardened their shins using hammers in over-zealous preparation for the main event, the competition remains the highlight of the Cotswold "Olimpick" games. Players, wearing the traditional white smocks of shepherds, grasp each other by the shoulders and attempt to land well-timed blows to their opponent's shins. Only then - in mid-kick - can a player attempt to bring his opposite number to the ground.
Size: 3613px × 5419px
Location: Dover's Hill, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, UK
Photo credit: © Nick Turner / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ancient, bizarre, cotswold, countryside, crowd, crowds, customs, england, gloucestershire, lots, national, olimpicks, olympicks, people, rural, seated, sit, sitting, spectate, spectator, sports, strange, summer, traditional, trail, uk, view, viewers, viewing, watch, watching, weird
