LESSON 3: THE GOLDEN AGE OF QUIDDITCH
Quidditch historians often refer to the 1800s at the Golden Age. By this time, the entire world was not only playing Quidditch, but participating in international tournaments across the globe. Rule changes were made to make the game as fair as possible, players were beginning to master the game, and some of the greatest Seekers of all time were born.
NIKO NENAD AND THE ATTACK OF THE KILLER FOREST
At the beginning of the 19th century, Romanian Beater Niko Nenad was one of the most feared players in the game. He was an above average Beater, but what really scared his opponents (and teammates) were his ferocious outbursts. During the Quidditch World Cup of 1809, Nenad had “beat himself over the head with his broom and set fire to his own feet in frustration,” according to teammate Ivan Popa, who had once stopped Nenad from strangling two referees. His final tantrum occurred in the finals against New Spain. Nenad hit a Bludger out of the stadium and into the adjacent forest. Nenad had apparently enchanted the trees so that they would spring to life at his command, march into the stadium, and destroy everything in their path. After a seven hour battle, hundreds of wizards – including Nenad – had been killed and even more severely injured. Remarkably, New Spain's Seeker, Antonio Chavez Guerrero, had managed to catch the Snitch at some point during the attack.
JAPAN AND SAKOKU
According to Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp, Quidditch began gaining popularity in Japan during the 20th century. In reality, Quidditch has been popular in Japan since its introduction to the country in the early 17th century; Japan simply did not participate in international tournaments. This discrepancy in information is due in large part to Japan's foreign relations policy. In the 1630s, Japan adopted a policy called sakoku under which nobody could leave or enter the country. Sakoku remained in effect until 1854 when Commodore Matthew Perry of the U.S. Navy aggressively negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa, which opened up trade routes between Japan and the United States. Three years later, Japan competed in the Quidditch World Cup for the first time.
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THE TOURNAMENT THAT NOBODY REMEMBERS
The second half of the 19th century was dominated by Romania. Leading up to the summer of 1877, the Romanian National team were looking to win their sixth World Cup in a row. The day after the final was scheduled to be played, the wizarding world woke up to the fact that they had no recollection of the tournament ever happening. However, English Beater Lucas Bargeworthy's teeth had been mysteriously knocked out, Canadian Seeker Angelus Peel's knees were on backwards, and half the Argentinian team were found tied up in a pub called the Flying Fisherman. The 1877 Quidditch World Cup was soon dubbed the Tournament that Nobody Remembers.
One popular theory is that the loss of memory is due to the breakout of Cerebrumous Spattergroit, which causes severe confusion. Others believe that the Goblin Liberation Front performed a Mass Memory Charm. Many Quidditch historians believe it was indeed a Mass Memory Charm, but the culprit responsible for the deed was actually supporters of the Romanian National team. Those who support this theory believe that Romania's streak of five straight World Cup victories had been broken during the Tournament that Nobody Remembers, though the Romanians insisted that they too had no recollection what had happened. The following year, the tournament was re-staged and the Romanians increased their streak to six – and eventually, eight – straight World Cup victories.
One popular theory is that the loss of memory is due to the breakout of Cerebrumous Spattergroit, which causes severe confusion. Others believe that the Goblin Liberation Front performed a Mass Memory Charm. Many Quidditch historians believe it was indeed a Mass Memory Charm, but the culprit responsible for the deed was actually supporters of the Romanian National team. Those who support this theory believe that Romania's streak of five straight World Cup victories had been broken during the Tournament that Nobody Remembers, though the Romanians insisted that they too had no recollection what had happened. The following year, the tournament was re-staged and the Romanians increased their streak to six – and eventually, eight – straight World Cup victories.
BRING BACK OUR BASKETS AND THE STOOGING PENALTY
For centuries, baskets mounted on poles had been used as Quidditch goals. The problem with baskets, however, was that it was impossible to make every single one in the world the same size. In 1883, to the dismay of Quidditch fans and players alike, the Department of Magical Games and Sports replaced the baskets with hoops. The size of the new hoops was much easier to regulate than the size of the baskets, so each one would be completely identical.
The following year, the “Stooging Penalty” was announced in response to several severe injuries to Keepers inflicted by multiple Chasers trying to stop them from blocking. Under the new rule, only one Chaser was allowed to enter the scoring area at any given time. Many Chasers, still upset about the baskets being replaced, moved to the United States to become professional Quodpot players instead. Keepers, on the other hand, were thrilled with the Stooging Penalty.
While the late 19th century was a disappointing time for Chasers, it was also an era of exceptional Seeking. The best two Seekers at the time were Eunice Murray, who once said Seeking was “just too easy” and petitioned for a faster Snitch, and Josef Wronski, the world's most innovative Seeker and inventor of the Wronski Feint. The two never faced each other, but no argument for “the Best Seeker of All-Time” is complete without mentioning Murray and Wronski.
While the late 19th century was a disappointing time for Chasers, it was also an era of exceptional Seeking. The best two Seekers at the time were Eunice Murray, who once said Seeking was “just too easy” and petitioned for a faster Snitch, and Josef Wronski, the world's most innovative Seeker and inventor of the Wronski Feint. The two never faced each other, but no argument for “the Best Seeker of All-Time” is complete without mentioning Murray and Wronski.
In 1892, the Chudley Cannons became the first team to win both the British and Irish Quidditch League and the European Cup in the same year. Cannons Captain Merwyn Dimbleby famously said, “We'll be back next year.” The Cannons proceeded to finish at the bottom of the table for the next century.