Creaothceann

"The players assemble, twelve fine, hearty men,
They strapped on their cauldrons, stood poised to fly,
At the sound of the horn they were swiftly airborne,
But ten of their number were fated to die."

— Gaelic poem about Creaothceann

Creaothceann is an ancient Scottish broom game. It is referenced in Quidditch Through the Ages.

About

Creaothceann is considered to be the most dangerous of broom games ever played. Twelve players had to wear a cauldron on their heads. Up to hundred rocks and boulders that had been charmed hovered a hundred feet above the ground. After the sounding of a horn or drum, the rocks and boulders were dropped. The players had to try and catch them in their cauldrons, with the winner being the player that caught more than the others.

Scottish wizards considered the game to be the ultimate test of strength and courage. Creaothceann caused a high number of deaths.

History

Creaothceann is the subject of a tragic Gaelic poem written in the eleventh century.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Creaothceann gained considerable popularity.

In the eighteenth century, the brutal game was made illegal. In the 1960s, a wizard called Magnus MacDonald spearheaded a campaign to reintroduce the sport. However, the Ministry of Magic refused to lift the outlawing of Creaothceann.

Trivia

• In an early Quidditch game, a Scottish warlock took part. Kennilworthy Whisp proposes in Quidditch Through the Ages that the warlock could have been a Creaothceann player who was inspired by the sport and had the idea to bewitch rocks to chase players (an early form of a Beater).