by Kay D. Sadell

Created on: May 27, 2009   Last Updated: June 01, 2009

Throughout history, curious mallet and ball games have been played in Europe dating back prior to the Middle Ages. For centuries these types of games branched out into other similar pastimes making the origins of Croquet nearly impossible to figure out. Most theories state that Croquet may have evolved from a 17th century French game called "Paille Maille", or Pall Mall. This game was played with round balls, that measured approximately a foot in circumference, and was struck by a curved head mallet through a high iron arch, much like modern day croquet is played. Other theories state that sometime in the 1830's a French doctor re-wrote the rules of Pall Mall to create a game for his patients to encourage exercise. This "new" game was renamed Croquet, after the crooked mallet used to hit the balls through a small hoop in the ground.

What is known for sure is that a Miss Mary MacNaghten had observed French peasants partaking in a game using willow rod hoops and broomstick handled mallets. She then gave the idea to a London toy dealer Isaac Spratt sometime around 1850. It is thought that she had hoped that Mr. Spratt could produce better materials for this game. Although others had printed rules for this game it wasn't until the mid 1850's Mr. Spratt registered the first printed rules for Croquet with the Stationers' Company. However, widespread popularity began when John Jaques and Son's, a sporting goods manufacturer, purchased the rights of the game from Spratt and began making croquet equipment readily available to the public. They are still the top producers for Croquet equipment today!

Croquet became increasingly popular with women since it was the first outdoor sport that men and women could both enjoy together. By the 1860's Garden parties were quickly renamed Croquet parties and were heavily supervised. Some frowned upon the joining of the sexes in this game seeing it as taboo and several sporting clubs banned the game. As decades passed Croquet was outshone by the newest outdoor sport, Tennis. Thus ending the peak of its popularity in Europe. Although it still became an Olympic sport by the turn of the century, still it didn't last long.

A new dawn had begun for this game in America. During the 20's, 30's, and 40's it had become one of the top backyard pastimes for wealthy people such as famous entertainers and writers. It wasn't until the 1970's that Croquet became widespread through the US sparking a major comeback of the sport in America. In 1977 The United States Croquet Association was organized by Jack Osborn and soon there were 6 clubs set in the East Coast. New rules and regulations forboth 6 and 9 wicket games were settled upon but the game was still played much the same with a mallet and different colored balls. The USCA has close to 100 thousand men and women still enjoying this sport played upon almost a 1000 greens located in the US and Canada today. The game can still be purchased at most any sporting goods store, and is enjoyed by kids young and old as a summer pastime

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