Elizabethan England: Leisure Flashcards
What sports did the Nobility and gentry play?
• Hunting on horseback with hounds or birds (men and woman)
• Fishing (men and women)
• Real tennis (men): a cross between modern tennis and squash
• Bowls (men)
• Fencing (men): undertaken with blunted swords
what were the 2 sports the farmers, craftsmen and the lower classes took part in?
• football
- wrestling
describe football
- men only.
- the aim was to get the ball into the other side’s goal, although the rules varied.
- no limit to the numbers involved or the size of the pitch.
- could be very violent: men were often killed during matches
What did leisure activities depend on?
- Social class and gender could determine what sports and leisure activities you could participate in.
- The wealthier classes had much more opportunity to enjoy leisure pursuits. When it came to taking part in sports, there were more options for men than women.
Which sports were played by men of all classes? How did they differ?
- wrestling and swimming were popular with men of all classes.
- However, noblemen would wrestle in private whereas men of a lower class would take part in public wrestling matches. Gambling on the outcome was very popular. The nobility and gentry would often bet and watch alongside the other classes.
Describe why spectator sports were popular in Elizabethan England
The Elizabethans enjoyed watching sporting competitions, such as wrestling or tennis, depending upon their class. Watching animals fight to the death was also considered entertainment and people of all classes would watch, even Elizabeth.
It was typical for large sums of money to be gambled on the outcomes.
Describe what baiting was
During a baiting, a bear would be chained to a post and dogs unleashed against it.
The bear was not able to bite the dogs, although many were killed as the bear lashed out with its claws or pinned them under its paws. Care was taken not to kill the bears, if possible, as they were very expensive. Special arenas were built to facilitate these events in London as it was so popular and all classes enjoyed watching what was considered as a sport, including the queen.
Describe what cock-fighting was
Cockerels were aggressive birds and when cock-fighting - were made to wear metal spurs to attack each other as well as using their beaks. Many places, even small towns, had special arenas built for cock-fighting and all classes enjoyed it and bet huge sums on the outcome of these fights.
Why was baiting and cock-fighting not approved by all Elizabethans?
Puritans especially disapproved of them, although not mainly because they felt the animals were being mistreated. The main reason for their disapproval was that the fights took place on Sundays usually, which they considered to be a holy day.
Why was literature a popular pastime in Elizabethan England?
There was lots of new literature written during Elizabeth I’s reign. History was a very popular subject, as were accounts of voyages of discovery, translations of Latin and Greek classics. The most popular form of creative writing were poetry and plays. Most well-educated people wrote poetry, including the queen.
What’s the deal with the theatre revolution in Elizabethan England?
Theatre developed as a result of Protestantism, which influenced many aspects of Elizabeth’s life.
• Elizabeth shifted theatre to new, secular plays rather than the old mystery plays which brought the Bible and the saints’ stories to life for an audience and arguably were a way for the Catholic Church to control interpretations of the Bible.
• Elizabeth and senior Protestant figures also thought that these plays would encourage religious violence.
• These secular plays were in great demand and they were more exciting than older religious plays as their endings were not already known.
• The demand for theatre companies rocketed and companies formed across England. They were usually funded and established by members of the nobility.
• In 1583, Elizabeth established the Queen’s Men. The popularity of plays led to the first purpose-built theatres being constructed due to the money to be made. The first was the Red Lion in Whitechapel, constructed in 1567.
Describe the popularity of theatre in Elizabethan England
Theatre was popular with all classes. Well-known performers attracted large audiences. However, only men were allowed to act. Poor people could pay a penny to stand in the pit in the front of the stage. Seats were very expensive with the most expensive seat being directly above the stage. This was not because it was the best view of the action, but the important thing was being seen by the rest of the audience.
Why was music and dancing a popular pastime in Elizabethan England?
Elizabethans of all classes were passionate about music. Many people played instruments. The upper classes played lutes and harpsichords whereas the lower-classes played bagpipes and fiddles. Listening to music performances was very popular. Wealthy families would employ their own musicians to play during meals and feasts, though only men could be paid musicians. The lower classes would listen to music at fairs, markets or on public occasions. New music would be used to accompany the new secular plays in the theatre. Dancing was very popular and although upper and lower classes did not dance together, it brought men and women together.
