Kiplincotes Derby

The Kiplingcotes Derby is believed to be the oldest horse race in England and to have taken place near Market Weighton, in East Yorkshire every March since 1519 AD. Although it has to be said that although the list of rules were constructed and dated 1519, the earliest written record of it taking place is in 1555 ....

Kiplincotes Derby ~ Rather Sedate Paced These Days For Many Participants

 ..... but assuming the rules signified its first running, then it was with Henry VIII on the throne and celebrating 10 years as King of England. It has survived harsh winters and foot-and-mouth outbreaks to be one of the worlds oldest continuous sporting events.

Right Royally Drunk

Its no secret that in Europe in the Dark and Middle ages, people could rarely if ever, drink the local water .... and live.

Things Might Have Gone More Soberly
If Another Beverage Had Been Available.

 
So in general our leaders were at least mildly drunk most of the time, as they drank what is sometimes called 'small beer', which is a brewed (boiled) beer or ale that contained a lower alcohol level than the more standard beer. It was sometimes left unfiltered, and therefore porridge-like, so also had some food value as well.