Theme 3: Sport in Society Flashcards
Characteristics of Popular Recreation
Two-tier Class System: The feudal system created a clear divide between people
Localised: Limited transport and communication
Occasional: Peasants had little free time with long working hours (seasonal time)
Natural: Natural resources available were used
Cruel/Violent: Harsh lifestyle pushes aggressive games.
Simple Unwritten Rules: Widespread illiteracy
Mob Football and Real Tennis
Mob Football: Played by the lower class, violent and harsh, played occasional on holy days, using natural resources
Real Tennis: Played by the upper class with actual rules (codified), with high moral code, regularly played with specialist equipment and purpose-built facilities
Negative Effects of the Industrial Revolution
Poor Health and Hygiene: Poor sanitation led to spread of disease with little energy for sport
Lack of income: People had little money to spend on leisure pursuits
Lack of time: Machine time led to people working 12 hours a day so there was little time to play sports
Facility Provision was lacking: No access to private facilities for lower class
Overcrowding: No space to play traditional sport
Loss of rights: Mob games were banned so people had to find new sports to play
Positive Effects of the Industrial Revolution
Health and hygiene: Councils created public baths, improving sanitation and limiting spread of disease, giving more energy to play sports.
Increase in wages: The Factory Act of 1833 increased disposable income to be used on sports
New middle class developed: They made sport more acceptable and respectable and gave people broken time payments
Ex-public School Boys: People from schools like Eton graduates and shared sports, setting up teams and codified the game
Athleticism: Physical endeavor with moral integrity who did their best in the spirit of fair play.
Industrial Patronage: The provision of sporting opportunities from factory owners for workers.
Transport improvements: Trains allowed spectators and players to travel
