Sport in pre-industrial Britain

Question 1

Name 6 socio-cultural characteristics of pre-industrial Britain

Answer 1

Limited transport
Widespread illiteracy
Harsh society
Little free time
2 tier feudal system
Majority of the population lived in rural areas

Question 2

How did the characteristics of popular recreation reflect the harsh conditions?

Answer 2

Local events
Simple rules
Sport was violent and aggressive
Mob football was only played during the holy days
Clear separation of activities between lower and upper class
Mob football typically took place in the countryside

Question 3

How did the characteristics of real tennis differ to those of mob football?

Answer 3

Exclusive to the upper class
Played whenever they wanted
Complex rules
Played in purpose-built facilities
Transport wasn’t an issue

Question 4

What is a patron?

Answer 4

A member of the gentry who looked after the lower class performers