Pre-Industrial Britain Flashcards
What is the date of this era?
Pre 1850
When did the industrial revolution occur?
1750-1850
What were the characteristics of the social classes at this time?
2 class society-upper and lower Upper class-landowners, didn’t work Lower class-worked on upper class estates, long hours-had festival days
How were sport and pastimes shaped by social class?
Examples?
Classes participated separately
Eg.real tennis-upper class
mob football-lower class
pedestrianism+cricket-both but different roles
What were the characteristics of gender at this time?
Male dominated society
Women-considered weaker sex
How were sport and pastimes shaped by gender?
Examples?
Separate participation
Eg.archery-upper class women
real class tennis-upper class men
smock racing-lower class women
mob football-lower class menWhat were the characteristics of law and order at this time?
Uncivilised society-harsh especially for lower class No formal police force
How were sport and pastimes shaped by law and order?
Examples?
Sport reflected harshness-often violent/cruel
Eg.bare-knuckle prize fighting
cock fighting
mob football
What were the characteristics of education/literacy at this time?
Upper class-educated and literate
Lower class-uneducated and illiterate
How were sport and pastimes shaped by education/literacy?
Examples?
Upper class-more complex rules that were written down
Eg.real tennis
Lower class-simple rules not written down-word of mouth
Eg.mob football
What were the characteristics of availability of time at this time?
Upper class-lots of free time
Lower class-very little free time-worked long hours on the land-very seasonal-had some festival days
How were sport and pastimes shaped by availability of time?
Examples?
Upper class-longer and frequent participation
Eg.real tennis
fox hunting
Lower class-occasional, often on festival days-Shrove Tuesday
Eg.mob football
What were the characteristics of availability of money at this time?
Upper class-usually rich
Lower class-usually poor
How were sport and pastimes shaped by availability of money?
Examples?
Upper class-expensive, purpose-built facilities
Eg.real tennis
Lower class-little specialist equipment, in work clothes,on street/common land
Eg.mob football
Upper class-afford to wager
Lower class-occasionally wagered-‘rags to riches’
What were the characteristics of type and availability of transport at this time?
Upper class-limited to horse and carriage on poor roads
Lower class-traveled on foot
How were sport and pastimes shaped by type and availability of transport?
Examples?
Very localised-regional variations in rules
Upper class-could travel to nearby landed gentry for real tennis
Lower class-local village only for mob football
What is mob football?
2 neighbouring villages or within same Simple objective-inflated pigskin ball carried to other town 1 rule-no murder or manslaughter Lower class men Verbal rule
What is real tennis?
‘Sport of Kings’ Forerunner to lawn tennis Similar scoring to lawn tennis but more complex Played on purpose-built indoor court Specifically designed rackets and balls Travelled around Done at any time
What is prize fighting?
Bare knuckle fighting
Forerunner to boxing
Involves 2 men fighting without boxing gloves/padding until submission or knockout
Could last for hours
What is cock fighting?
Fight to death of 2 cockerels
Prize birds have sharp spurs attached to their claws-ensure maximum damage-brutal
Took place in pub/inn yard
Any class participated
What is smock racing?
Running race for the prize of a dress/smock
Lower class women
On festival days
Dress/smock often donated by local land owner
What is pedestrianism?
Both classes-different roles Walking race between footmen(lower class men) of local landowners Organised by landowners-leisure pursuit-wagering common
