What is barley break?

Barley break was a popular outdoor game played during the 16th and 17th centuries in England. It involved a group of players who were divided into two teams. One team would have a ball, and their goal was to throw the ball and hit one of the players on the other team. The player who was hit would then have to join the team that threw the ball.

The name of the game comes from the fact that barley was commonly used as a marker for the boundary lines of the playing area. The game was played in open fields or meadows, which were often marked with rows of barley, hence the name "barley break."

Barley break was considered a popular pastime among both the aristocracy and the common people, and it was often played at country fairs and festivals. The game was also popular among the students of the Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Although barley break is no longer played today, some elements of the game are still seen in modern sports such as dodgeball and capture the flag.