Sport in Pre-Industrial Britain (pre-1780)

Question 1

What was life like in pre-industrial Britain?

Answer 1

-Clear Class division
-People lived in Rural areas
-Limited Free time
-Cruel violent conditions
-Wide Spread illiteracy
-Communication and Transport were limited

Question 2

What is Feudal System

Answer 2

a way structuring society around a relationship derived from the holding of land in exchange for service of labour

Question 3

What is popular recreations

Answer 3

The sport and pastimes of people in pre industrial Britain

Question 4

How often were popular recreation played

Answer 4

Very occasionally, on days such as Christmas, Easter Sunday etc. this is due to the long hours of the working class

Question 5

How big were popular recreations

Answer 5

They were local and specific to each community, the area they lived and the natural resources available.

Question 6

What were the rules like in sport in the pre industrial times

Answer 6

Rules were very basic and applied to a particular community

Question 7

What were activities like in pre industrial Britain

Answer 7

-Male dominated
-Reflected a harsh society
-Lots of damage to property
-Lots of injuries
-Activities were aggressive

Question 8

How did limited transport impact sport in pre industrial Britain

Answer 8

It meant that players couldn’t attend games that were far away due to the only mode of transport available for them was to walk.

Question 9

How did illiteracy impact sport in pre industrial Britain

Answer 9

It meant they couldn’t understand the rules of the game due to their little knowledge

Question 10

How did a harsh society impact sport in pre industrial Britain

Answer 10

Many participators would let out their anger due to poor working conditions and long hours

Question 11

How did long working hours impact sport in pre industrial Britain

Answer 11

Long hours lead to little free time and little free time meant that participators didn’t have time to practise and play the sport

Question 12

How did class division impact sport in pre industrial Britain

Answer 12

Due to the cost of different sports it meant many people didn’t have the money to buy equipment etc.

Question 13

How did simple rules impact sport in the pre industrial era

Answer 13

Rules have to be precise. Simple rules aren’t precise and this causes confusion on what is and isn’t allowed. This can cause injuries.

Question 14

How did violence in sport impact sport in the pre industrial Britain

Answer 14

Violence would lead to dangerous actions in the game and this could lead to injuries. Additionally this violence wasn’t regulated meaning that these actions weren’t punishable

Question 15

Why was sport occasional

Answer 15

Long hours for lower class worker

Question 16

How did sports at occasions impact sport in the pre industrial era

Answer 16

Sport would be played very occasionally on days such as Christmas, Easter Sunday etc. this meant that sport wouldn’t be played much at all meaning players couldn’t better their skills to improve their overall game

Question 17

How did sport played in rural areas impact sport in pre industrial Britain

Answer 17

Sport played in rural areas meant that the resources were limited, cities weren’t formed yet and therefore meant the resources in the area is all they had to play sport.

Question 18

Who played mob football

Answer 18

Lower class, reflects a clear division of society (two tiers)

Question 19

Where was mob football played

Answer 19

It was localised due to limited transport and little development in communications such as newspapers.

Question 20

How was mob football played

Answer 20

In fields using natural resources available to them e.g pigs bladder

Question 21

When was mob football played

Answer 21

Long working hours meant that the lower class only played mob football occasionally

Question 22

What was mob football like

Answer 22

It was male dominated
Very violent
Unruly in nature
Illiterate - meant rules were simple

Question 23

Who played Real Tennis

Answer 23

Played by the upper class males of the society.

Question 24

How was Real Tennis played

Answer 24

It was played to a high moral code, so it lacked violence and was instead played in a civilised manner, with opponents mutually respectful of one another

Question 25

When was Real Tennis played

Answer 25

With loads of free time, the upper class were able to play real tennis on a regular basis

Question 26

Where was it played

Answer 26

Purpose-built facilities and using specialist equipment

Question 27

What was real tennis like

Answer 27

It was a skilful game with difficult technical demands, which enabled the upper class to show their ‘superiority’ over the lower class

Question 28

Who took part in athletics

Answer 28

Footmen (hired servants) competed as messengers for the upper class for their speed of movement across open land

Question 29

What is a Patron

Answer 29

A member of the gentry who looked after the lower class performers by finding competitions etc.

Question 30

What were the characteristics of popular recreation linked to pre industrial festivals include

Answer 30

-Rules were simple
-They occurred annually
-Betting
-set in a rural location
-events were local

Question 31

Why were popular recreations banned in the 19th century

Answer 31

-They led to death or injury in some cases
-led to loads of property damage
-they were linked to alcohol consumption
-involved with gambling
-they were violent and unruly in nature