The inhabitants of the British Isles have played a decisive part in the development or rediscovery of ancient games in which there was competition between two sides for the ball. A major part of this book describes the evolution and development of various ball games and the social attitudes to particular sports, thus providing the context in which the artists worked. It is an illustrated and informative work which fills a gap in the literature of sport by recording various ways in which games have been portrayed in paintings and prints. The author has spent years in research and in order to ensure the accuracy of the text she has had it checked by leading authorities on each game. It is designed to be used and enjoyed by sportsmen and social historians as well as those with an interest in sporting paintings.