These new findings are further proof that the game originated in this area. The below extract is published on the France Cricket website with the same reference on wikipedia as well: The word "cricket" is thought to derive from the old French "criquet", for a "post" or "wicket". A reference to a bat-and-ball game of "criquet" in the village of Liettres (Pas-de-Calais) occurs in a French manuscript of 1478. An 18th century print shows a game akin to cricket in progress at nearby St-Omer. Today, cricket (the greatest game of all) is definately alive and well in the Flanders as Lille Cricket is the fastest growing cricket club in France! Please feel free to visit us at www.lille-cricket.org. Vive le cricket!