Lawn bowls has a rich history. It is a story spanning multiple civilisations, as well as involving the great and the good (and in some cases not so good) throughout history. From kings and queens to laymen, it really is the game for all.

The origins of lawn bowls can be traced right back to the ancient Egyptians
 
Archaeological findings support the theory that a game with biased stone balls was played almost 7000 years ago. The Egyptian version used sticks as targets and was played on dirt instead of grass. A version of the game – much closer to modern lawn bowls – was played by another great civilisation, the ancient Romans. The Roman version has transformed into modern-day bocce. It is believed that the Romans spread this game across Europe, with several countries adapting the rules to create their own versions. This includes boules in France and, of course, lawn bowls in Great Britain.

History of lawn bowls in England
 
Records of bowls being played in England date back to the 12th century. In fact, the growing popularity of bowls in England led to a string of kings and queens passing laws restricting its play. The concern was that lawn bowls were distracting men from archery practice. This was important as bowmen were an integral part of any army and any compromise of their effectiveness in battle could have major implications for the monarch and country. (Source: Orderisda.org)

Specifically, Edward III in 1261, Richard II in 1388, Henry IV in 1409, Henry VIII in 1541 and Queen Mary in 1555 all enacted statutes restricting the play of bowls. Many of the laws restricted those of lower class from playing or placed limits on when and for how long games could take place. Henry VIII, however, went one step further and specifically forbade the play of bowls for many labourers and “low-born” people. So much so that the only time they could play bowls in 1541 was on Christmas day and only “in their master’s presence.” If caught
playing bowls, they would be levied with a large fine – an amount far beyond the income of the underclass.

Lawn bowls as a source of sedition

If Henry VIII’s Christmas lawn bowl law seems incredibly miserly to us now, it was deemed too generous by Queen Mary who, in 1555, banned bowls from the underclass completely. She believed the game was used for “unlawful assemblies, conventiclers, seditions, and conspiracies.” It wasn’t until 1845, under Queen Victoria – three centuries later – that these laws would eventually be rescinded.
 
While the lower classes were restricted during this period, it didn’t stop the upper classes enjoying the sport. Shakespeare mentions bowls several times throughout his work, often citing how men and women (presumably of the upperclass) could be seen playing all over the land, such as Sir Francis Drake...
 
Lawn bowls and world domination

If you feel like you don't have time for lawn bowls and your other duties, this now-infamous story of Sir Francis Drake might inspire you. In 1588, Francis Drake – while vice-admiral for Queen Elizabeth’s navy – was playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe. Partway through his game, Drake was interrupted to be informed that the Spanish Armada was approaching. Drake's response was to say: “We still have time to finish the game and to thrash the Spaniards, too.”

Notwithstanding, he promptly threw in his game and went on to beat the Spanish!

Sources: britannica.com; britain-magazine.com; onthisday.com; orderisda.org