The game was popular in 12th century England. During the 3rd and 4th centuries in Europe, bowling was a religious ceremony where players tried to hit the pin, in order to be deemed free of sin. The game of ninepins was carried to America by Dutch colonists in the 17th century. The modern form of the game orginated in England around 1857. Here in New Zealand it is organised by local Irish Societies and I understand there are local leagues in various of your east coast cities.
Tradition has it that it was used as a war substitute inperiod Ireland.
Cameron had an ample supply of very large oranges which he didn't seem to want much, and was bowling for peers all day. There was a Moghul Rajah in India during the 16th Century who had a giant board built in one of the palaces gardens. As playing pieces, he used harem girls dressed in red, blue, green and yellow saris. But there was no combat involved. It is a race game.