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NUR AND SPEL |
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from doing so. The diagram is of course empty when play begins. One player commences by putting his mark into either of the vacant places he prefers, the other player then places his in another, wherever he thinks he has the best opportunity to prevent his opponent getting a " three," and at the same time to get a three himself; then the first player plays again, and so on alternately until all the squares are occupied, or until one of the players has a " three" in line. If neither player gets a "three," the game is won by "Old Nick," and one is scored to his name. In the diagram the result of the game is shown when won by "Old Nick." Whichever player first wins a game adds "Old Nick's" score to his own. In some games " Old Nick" keeps all he wins for himself, and then most frequently wins the game.—London (A. B. Gomme).
See "Corsicrown," "Kit-Cat-Cannio," "Nine Men's Morris."
Nur and Spel
A boys' game in Lincolnshire, somewhat similar to "Trap Ball." It is played with a "kibble," a "nur," and a "spell." By striking the end of the spell with the kibble, the nur, of course, rises into the air, and the art of the game is to strike it with the kibble before it reaches the ground. He who drives it the greatest distance wins the game.—Halliwell's Dictionary.
Strutt (Sports and Pastimes, p. 109) describes this game as " Northern-spell," played with a trap, and the ball is stricken with a bat or bludgeon. The contest between the players is simply who shall strike the ball to the greatest distance in a given number of strokes. The length of each stroke is measured before the ball is returned, by means of a cord made fast at one end near the trap, the other being stretched into the field by a person stationed there for that purpose, who adjusts it to the ball wherever it may lie.
In a work entitled the Costumes of Yorkshire this game is described and represented as "Nor and Spell." The little wooden ball used in this game is in Yorkshire called the " Nor," and the receptacle in which it is placed the "Spell." Peacock |
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