Started in 1715, the Doggett Shield competitors involved as much as six Mariner apprentices from the Thames. Young candidates stroll in between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier in Chelsea at a distance of 4 miles. This race is one of the oldest rowing races in the world that are held every year in England.

Thomas Doggett, born in Ireland, showed up in London around 1690 to seek a profession as a star and director at Drury Lane. On a rainy evening in 1715, Doggett was taken home by a freshly launched waterman. The rowing abilities pleased Doggett so much that he used the experience to define the regulations of his now epic job.

Doggett made a decision that the honor for his profession would be a red coat with a vast silver plaque on his arm. The rate is still the very same today. Doggett restricted his occupation to marine young people in the very first year of the flexibility to find out. This suggested that men referred to as” wager men,” that focused on rowing for a cash prize, might not get involved. The new blood will certainly always make Doggett’s occupation a new challenge. Winning the distinguished shield as well as badge calls for terrific toughness as well as determination, and those that succeed still retain such a fortunate standing as the Thames of watermen.

After Doggett’s death in 1722, the company Peschmongers Livery takes responsibility for the race, and also makes sure that he runs annually considering that. The coat still fits the design made use of by aquatic guys of the early 18th century, and the silver badge continues to be the exact same style and also size as the one designed by Doggett himself.

The history of rowing

Far from us the ambition to do a thorough history course on rowing… but it is worth remembering that our sport is now from being new and that its practice precedes most other Olympic games in modern history. Long before J-C: rowing was practiced but as a means of transport! And yes, rowing already exists in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Rome, and Greece, but it is not yet a sport. It is used primarily as a means of transportation

This is borne out by the countless sailing scenes that can be seen, for example, in the monuments of Egypt. It should also be noted that under the Roman empire, rowing races were held on the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, during which the Roman galleys were confronted.

The rowing became a true sport in Victorian England. It is the origin of the modern version of rowing. The first race took place in August 1715, in London, on the occasion of the first anniversary of George I’s accession to the throne. It will be renewed annually on this date between London Bridge and Chelsea. 19th century: development of rowing in England and in France in England: The British high schools include rowing in their programs. Rowing became a prestigious sport reserved for an elite. (Note that workers and manual workers were excluded from competitions at that time).