Modern pictures... but a true piece of French rugby history...
Last Friday, 2010 French champion ASM Clermont lost 2011 semi final of French championship to Stade Toulousain (full report here on @espnscrum )... and said "farewell" to this splendid "Bouclier de Brennus" - Brennus' Shield - named after its creator Charles Brennus. This trophy will be challenged next Saturday by Stade Toulousain and Montpellier.
This is a perfect timing to share this fine picture - the Brennus Shield in Clermont stadium - kindly sent by rock photographer Richard Bellia. Actually, this hi res picture shows wonderful details of Brennus' artwork...
The original design consists of a brass shield, engraved with apple leafs and fruits, which includes the arms of USFSA (first sports governing organisation in France created and headed by Pierre de Coubertin) as well as the moto "Ludus Pro Patria" (Games for the Nation), a plaque which would receive the names of the clubs winning the trophy and finally a wooden support made from ash. The trophy was created by Charles Brennus, himself member of USFSA, president of Parisian club SCUF and professional engraver.
Some tenacious myths allege (cf Wikipedia) that this trophy was designed by Pierre de Coubertin, head of USFSA , who wanted to have a trophy made for the first final in french rugby history in 1892.
This story is more than doubtful as rugby historian Georges Pastre (in "Les Boucliers de Printemps") indicates that he had never found any newspaper article mentionning the "Shield" before 1912 final... and neither had I !... . my oldest original picture (left) is dated 1914... One of these days (soon...), I'll search thoroughly all my newspapers and books for details and make my own contribution to this point : it would surely be interesting to ascertain the starting point of the story...
Charles Brennus' uncommon (at least for an athlete...!!) silhouette could be seen in almost every committee of French USFSA (rugby, cycling, tracks & field, swimming) in the 1890s... a leading sporting personnality, indeed! After a short sporting career (captaining newly created SCUF in 1896), he proved to be one the most active herald of rugby in France : Secretary, Treasurer and President of USFSA rugby commitee in the 1900s, then Honorary President of French Rugby Union in 1920... Here he is in 1922, 63 years old, attending a sporting event in Stade Bergeyre, Paris (picture credit to Bibliothèque Nationale de France / gallica.fr )
Year after year, the original "Brennus Shield" has suffered from numerous damages - often because of too "festive" celebrations from the winning players... Since 2003, winning teams are granted with a replica... like this one in Clermont...
Again, let me thank Richard Bellia... he possibly is the best rock photographer around... Richard has been on the road shooting the most prominent artists (say, all my faves...) for more than 30 years while being published in all major European magazines. He regularly exhibits his artwork (recently at University of York) and has published two great books...
I urge you to check his blog (in French) and his portfolio...
Siouxsie Sioux, Shane McGowan and Joe Strummer also agree...
A` Mon avis, le Bouclier de Brennus et la Coupe de Stanley (pour le champion du Hockey sur glace professionel en Amérique du Nord) sont les deux meilleurs trophées dans le sport.
Ce sera intéressant de voir si Montpellier pourra gagner cette Trophée pour la premierie fois contre les Toulousains a` St. Denis ce weekend....
Posted by: Steve | 31/05/2011 at 02:38
Gracias, muy bueno.
www.rugbyandfitness.com // Mas de 68.000 clicks.
Posted by: RaF | 29/06/2011 at 17:34
J'ai un article de presse faisait état de la remise d'un bouclier au vainqueur bordelais de 1899.
Posted by: Moi | 18/11/2011 at 15:15
Je serais très heureux de publier une copie de votre article ! Comme vous l'avez lu dans mon sujet, vous seriez alors célébré pour avoir trouvé la plus ancienne évocation du "bouclier" !!
(on me parle par ailleurs d'une publication de 1894, mais c'est un récit ultérieur ... et non documenté...)
Posted by: Frederic (www.rugby-pioneers.com) | 18/11/2011 at 17:32