LESSON 2: THE RISE OF QUIDDITCH
The 17th century marked the beginning of the worldwide expansion of Quidditch. The Quidditch-obsessed Europeans brought the sport to Africa, East Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. In the 1650s, non-European teams were invited to compete in the World Cup for the first time, and a separate European Cup was created. Unlike the World Cup, the European Cup consisted of the top professional teams from across Europe rather than national teams.
It took several decades for the non-European teams to catch up with the European teams in terms of skill with one exception being China. By the 1660s, the Chinese National team had already established itself as a major Quidditch power, due in large part to their exceptional Beaters. Beating was very similar to Feiqiu, a Chinese sport in which players would use clubs to hit large boulders at each other in an attempt to dislodge the other participants from their broomsticks. China's top Beaters, Xin Wei and Qiang Zhao, developed a more defensive style of play called P.O.N.G. – Possession Only, No Giveaways. Their philosophy was to only hit the Bludger at their opponents if they: A) held possession of both Bludgers and B) were sure they were going to hit the target. Instead of taking wild swings at the Bludgers, Wei and Zhao would maintain possession with controlled passes and never give the Bludger away to the opposing team.
In 1674, the four Quidditch leagues in Britain and Ireland combined to become the Britain and Irish Quidditch League. This merger was necessary for two reasons. First, the rising Muggle population was making it increasingly difficult to stage so many matches in such a small area in secrecy. Cutting down to thirteen teams that played each other twice a year meant far fewer matches. Secondly, fewer teams meant that the pool of talent available to each team was less divided, which greatly increased the strength of the teams. This was important because the British and Irish teams had been getting completely demolished at the first several European Cups. In 1685, the Caerphilly Catapults won the European Cup, the first British and Irish League team to do so.
QUAFFLE CHANGES
For centuries, there were complaints about Beaters accidentally hitting the Quaffle towards the opposing team and Keepers breaking bones while trying to catch Bludgers. In 1711, the Quiberon Quafflepunchers played against the Sarzeau Sardines in heavy rain. When the Quaffle was dropped onto the muddy ground below them, the teams could not find it for several hours. Following the match, the Quaffle was colored scarlet to make it distinguishable from the Bludgers and more visible during harsh conditions. Shortly after, Daisy Pennifold developed a Quaffle that would fall slowly to the ground, as though sinking through water, when it was dropped. The Pennifold Quaffle has been used worldwide since its creation and is the official Quaffle of the Quidditch World Cup.
|
THE NEW WORLD
From 1714 to 1740, the European wizarding community was devastated by a massive outbreak of the deadly disease Variola dracona – more commonly known as dragon pox. The epidemic had a huge effect on the Quidditch landscape as well; Dilys Derwent, who was a Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries at the time, described it as “the darkest times the world has ever seen,” because of the vast number of deaths and also due to England's failure to qualify for the World Cup six times in a row.
Many witches and wizards fled to the New World to escape the disease, Quidditch players included. As a result, the European teams were severely weakened; most of the International teams declined invitations to play in the World Cup. With European powerhouses like Scotland, Portugal, and Transylvania out of the way, New Spain and New France – later called Mexico and Canada respectively – became major Quidditch nations, with the latter winning the World Cup in 1721. However, the disease had been almost completely eradicated by the middle of the 18th century, and Europe quickly returned to its former glory.
Many witches and wizards fled to the New World to escape the disease, Quidditch players included. As a result, the European teams were severely weakened; most of the International teams declined invitations to play in the World Cup. With European powerhouses like Scotland, Portugal, and Transylvania out of the way, New Spain and New France – later called Mexico and Canada respectively – became major Quidditch nations, with the latter winning the World Cup in 1721. However, the disease had been almost completely eradicated by the middle of the 18th century, and Europe quickly returned to its former glory.
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF WIZARDS QUIDDITCH COMMITTEE
Following the ratification of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, many changes were made to increase anti-Muggle security during Quidditch matches. The International Confederation of Wizards' Quidditch Committee was formed to enforce the Statute of Secrecy during Quidditch matches. The British Ministry of Magic created the Department of Magical Games and Sports, which was almost entirely dedicated to Quidditch and worked closely with the ICWQC. Teams that violated their guidelines were forced to disband. The earliest example of this occurred in 1753, when the Tinmouth Terriers were apprehended after attempting to hold practice in the courtyard of the Northumberland House. The Chudley Cannons were created to take their place in the British and Irish Quidditch League.
QUODPOT
Following the American Revolution, the United States were well on their way to becoming a strong Quidditch nation, when a wizard named Abraham Peasegood traveled to the United States from England. Peasegood accidentally enchanted a Quaffle, which exploded in his face when he threw the ball in the air. He immediately began attempting to replicate the effect, and eventually developed the game of Quodpot. Quidditch, although quite popular in certain regions of North America, was completely outshone by Peasegood's game, which is why the United States has struggled in international Quidditch tournaments until recently.
|