Pre-industrial Britain

Question 1

what were the ‘socia-cultural’ factors of the pre-industrial society ( i.e. pre-1780)?

Answer 1

• communications and trasport limited
• was widespread illiteracy
• cruel/violent existences the norm for lower class, upper class lived in luxury and comfort
• limited free time (lower class worked long hours)
• class divisions clearly existed (two-tier based on feudal system)
• most lived in countryside/rural areas

Question 2

what were the characteristics of popular recreation that reflected ‘socia-cultural’ factors?

Answer 2

• long hours at work - recreational acitivities occasional and restricted to annul events
• limited transport - activities were local and specific to each community and the area they lived
• activities used the natural resources available
• high levels of illiteracy - basic rules
• activities were aggressive an dmale dominated - reflecting a harsh society

Question 3

characteristics of mob football

Answer 3

• was a localised form of activity
• was rurual in nature - due to living in the countryside
• played by lower class
• used natural resources ( pigs bladder instead of leather football)
• only played occasionally - long working hours
• was male dominated and highly violent
• little rules and regulations

Question 4

why was mob football banned by the local authorities

Answer 4

• were violent and unruly in nature
• led to injury or death in extreme cases
• led to damage of property
• involved gambling/wagering
• linked to alcohol comsumption/drunken behaviour

Question 5

characteristics of real tennis

Answer 5

• was an exclusive activity
• courtly and royal in nature
• played by upper class males
• upper class were educated so ruled were complex and written down
• played to a high moral code (lacked violence and played in a civilised manner)
• played on a regular basis - upper class had a lot of free time
• had purpose-built facilityies using expensive specialist equipment (e.g racquets)
• was non-local - as upper class could travel

Question 6

what was athletics known as in pre-industrial britain

Answer 6

foot racing/pedestrianism

Question 7

what was foot racing/pedestrionism

Answer 7

• where footmen would compete as messengers by the upper class for their speed of movement across open land
• gentry would wager on how many miles a foot racer could cover in a set time+++++++++++++++++++++