Popular Recreation Flashcards
What are the 9 characteristics of popular recreation?
Natural/simple, local, simple unwritten rules, cruel/violent, occasional, courtly/popular, rural, occupational, wagering
Why were they natural/simple?
There was a lack of technology and a lack of purpose built facilities and money
Why were they local?
Limited transport and communications
Why did they have simple, unwritten rules?
There was widespread illiteracy and there were no national governing bodies
Why were they cruel and violent?
Reflected the harshness of the 18th century rural life
Why were they occasional?
There was limited free time due to work and they only had free time on holy days and annual holidays
Why were they courtly/popular?
Pre industrial Britain was a two class system. There was upper and lower class
Why were they rural?
Before the industrial revolution, Britain was agricultural and and rural
Why were they occupational?
Work often became the basis of play
Why were they wagering?
They had the chance to go from rags to riches
