What Are The Origins Of Lacrosse?

Lacrosse is thought to have evolved from a  game which was played by the Iroquois, a tribe of Native American Indians.
They played a game which they called 'baggataway', which was played in a large field and had long crossed sticks which were used to hit the ball.
This game was said to help prepare the Iroquois for battle, since teams would be sent to play baggataway against rival tribes.  There could be up to 500 men on each team and the game could last for days.  It was fiercely fought and broken bones were plentiful.
As French settlers came to North America, the sticks used in the game reminded them of a bishops staff which was called une crosse or referred to as La Crosse, which was then amalgamated into one word and became known as Lacrosse.  It is still regarded as one of the fiercest and fastest of team sports.