Pre industrial

• What time period does the pre-industrial Britain refer to?


  1750-1850
• What are the two main social classes in pre-industrial Britain?

  • Upper class aristocracy or gentry (hereditary landowners)
  • Lower/peasant class (manual workers, mainly on the land)
• What types of activities did lower-class peasants engage in?

  Violent activities with few rules, such as mob football and dog fighting
• How did the activities of the upper class differ from those of the lower class?

  Upper-class activities had more complex rules and required money, education, and transport
• What is pedestrianism in the context of pre-industrial Britain?


  Running footmen wagered on by aristocrats
• How was cricket associated with social classes in pre-industrial Britain?


  Both classes participated, with gentlemen as amateurs and players as professionals
• How were women viewed in terms of physical activities during this period?

  Women were seen as the 'weaker' sex, so activities couldn't be too strenuous or dangerous
• What activities could peasant women participate in?

  Peasant women could participate in 'smock racing' at county fairs
• What activities were available to upper-class women?

  Upper-class women could participate in activities like archery
• How did education levels differ between the upper and lower classes?


  Upper classes were educated and literate, while peasants were mostly uneducated
• How did literacy affect the types of activities people engaged in?


  Upper-class individuals could understand sophisticated activities, while peasants engaged in simple activities
• What was the state of law and order in pre-industrial Britain?


  There was very little formal law and order enforced
• What types of violent activities were peasants involved in?


  Peasants were involved in violent activities like animal baiting and mob football
• How did the availability of time affect lower-class peasants?


  Lower-class peasants worked long hours with little energy for physical activities
• When did lower-class peasants typically engage in physical activities?


  During festivals and holy day fairs
• What types of activities were confined to festivals for lower-class peasants?


  Activities included bare-knuckled fighting and throwing contests
• Why did the upper class have more opportunities for activities?


  They had more time and money to afford clothing and equipment
• What type of transport was mainly used in pre-industrial Britain?


  Mainly horse and cart, with most people walking
• How did the condition of roads affect activities in pre-industrial Britain?


  Poor road conditions localized activities and led to simple, unwritten rules
• What was mob football?


  A mass game played between villages with simple rules
• What was the main rule of mob football?


  The only main rule was no murder
• What was used as a ball in mob football?


  A pig's bladder
• Who could participate in mob football?

  Only lower-class males could play
• What was cock fighting in pre-industrial Britain?


  A betting activity where the upper class betted on animals
• How did lower-class individuals participate in cock fighting?


  By 'throwing at cocks' during Shrove Tuesday activities
• What are the key differences between the activities of the upper and lower classes in pre-industrial Britain?


  • Upper class:
  • More complex rules
  • Required money, education, and transport
  • Activities like real tennis and fox hunting
  • Lower class:
  • Simple rules, often violent
  • Activities like mob football and dog fighting
• What factors influenced the types of activities available to different social classes in pre-industrial Britain?


  • Availability of time:
  • Upper class had more leisure time
  • Lower class worked long hours
  • Availability of money:
  • Upper class could afford equipment
  • Lower class had limited resources
  • Availability of transport:
  • Upper class could travel easily
  • Lower class activities were localized