Quidditch Through the Ages

• Type: Book (Non-fiction)
• Owners: Hogwarts Library, Harry Potter (borrowed), Albus Dumbledore (owned a personal copy)
• Maker: Kennilworthy Whisp (in-universe author)

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Quidditch Through the Ages is described as a book from the Hogwarts Library which Harry Potter finds fascinating. The book contains a wealth of information about the sport of Quidditch, including the fact that there are over seven hundred listed fouls. The real-world version of the book, published for the charity Comic Relief, is designed to appear as an authentic copy from the Hogwarts Library. Its cover is made to look worn, and the interior includes a foreword by Albus Dumbledore. It also features a library checkout card stamped with the names of various Hogwarts students, such as Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, and Marcus Flint. The pages are further embellished with humorous “handwritten” annotations and doodles supposedly made by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. (Comic Relief edition)

While not magical in the conventional sense of possessing active enchantments, Quidditch Through the Ages is an indispensable resource containing the complete history and rules of the magical sport of Quidditch. Its primary purpose is informational. The book details a wide array of topics crucial to understanding the sport:

• The historical evolution of flying broomsticks.
• Ancient broomstick games that were precursors to Quidditch, such as Stichstock and Aingingein.
• The origin story of the Golden Snitch, which evolved from the wizarding practice of hunting the endangered Golden Snidget.
• The development and introduction of the Quaffle and the Bludgers.
• A comprehensive list of Quidditch fouls.
• The history and establishment of professional Quidditch teams in Britain and Ireland, including famous teams like the Chudley Cannons and the Puddlemere United.

The book is primarily used as a reference text. Harry Potter borrows it from the library upon the recommendation of Hermione Granger to educate himself before his first Quidditch practice. Hermione herself uses her knowledge from the book to identify an obscure foul known as Stooging when Marcus Flint illegally blocks Angelina Johnson during a match.

Authored by the renowned Quidditch expert Kennilworthy Whisp, Quidditch Through the Ages is described as a major bestseller in the wizarding world. It is considered the definitive text on the subject and is a standard volume in the Hogwarts Library, frequently consulted by students and fans of the sport. According to Albus Dumbledore's foreword in the real-world edition, he had to persuade the Hogwarts librarian, Madam Pince, to allow a copy to be published for Muggles in order to raise money for Comic Relief. He humorously warns that the library's standard curses for overdue or damaged books would apply if the Muggle version was not treated with respect. (Comic Relief edition)

Quidditch Through the Ages serves as a key piece of world-building in the *Harry Potter* series. It provides both Harry Potter and the reader with the essential lore, rules, and historical context needed to fully understand and appreciate the wizarding world's most popular sport. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the book is instrumental in establishing Quidditch not just as a game, but as a complex and legitimate sport with a rich, centuries-long history. This foundation makes Harry's journey as a talented Seeker more meaningful and the Quidditch match sequences more immersive. The book's content also serves to characterize Hermione Granger as a diligent researcher whose academic knowledge has practical, real-world applications. It is one of two in-universe textbooks, along with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, that was published for real-world readers, strengthening the connection between the fictional universe and its audience.

• Quidditch Through the Ages was written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym of its in-universe author, Kennilworthy Whisp.
• It was first published in 2001 as part of a fundraising campaign for the British charity Comic Relief, alongside Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. (Comic Relief)
• The detailed lore established in the book, including team names, player positions, and specific fouls, provided the foundational material for the video game Quidditch World Cup. (video game)
• The book has been released in several formats, including an audiobook narrated by actor Andrew Lincoln and a newer edition narrated in the character of Kennilworthy Whisp. (audiobook)