The New International Encyclopædia/Barley-Break

BARLEY-BREAK. A popular amusement, very common in the reign of James I., and with certain modifications in name and practice still existing among young persons in both England and Scotland. Originally, it was played by six people, three of each sex, who were formed into couples. A piece of ground was then apportioned into three parts; and into the centre one, called hell, a couple was doomed by lot. The sport consisted in the two in the condemned part 'catching' one of the other couples while they were in the act of changing places, when the couple caught had to go into the centre. It was, however, no easy matter for the two in the centre to capture another couple; for, by the rules of the game, they were bound to keep united, while the others, when hard pressed, might sever.