By Amelia Meyer
Ever since the Middle Ages began in the fifth century of our Common Era (CE), there have been ball games that resemble rugby in some form or another. The earliest versions involved the inflated bladder of a pig, which players had to move to markers at opposite ends of the town. There were no formal rules and this became an incredibly rough game very quickly. Although it was popular amongst onlookers and players alike, the authorities tried to ban it many times for its dangerous nature. Similar games exist throughout England to this day, including Ashbourne (Derbyshire), Haxey (Lincolnshire) and Sedgefield (County Durham).