Pre-industrial pe

• Characteristics of life in pre-industrial Britain:

  • rural countryside
  • society was split into lower and upper class
  • women were seen as the weaker gender and had fewer rights in society
  • minimal law and order
  • only the upper class were educated and literate
  • limited transport from one town to another
  • religion was strongly followed
• Mob football was a game with very few rules and equipment. it was known to be the earliest form of football and rugby. it was very violent and was played by lower-class peasant males
• Real tennis was first form of tennis, which originated in France. it has very complicated rules and can be only understood by educated individuals. this mean it was only played by the upper class, it very elaborate venues, with long lasting games.
• lower class individuals also participated in bare knuckle fighting and dog fighting
• upper class betted on different sports like cock fighting and fox hunting
• social and cultural factors were:

  • social class
  • gender
  • law and order
  • education and literacy
  • availability of time
  • availability of money
  • transport
• In pre-industrial Britain, there were two social classes. There was the upper class(Gentry and Aristocracy)and the lower class (Peasants). Social class affected access to sport due to time, money, education and transport. the nature of the sports were very different due to the lower class sport being simple and violent.
• gender in pre-industrial Britain, meant there was a Lack of gender equality in society. Women where seen as the weaker sex with much lower rights in society. Expectation to fulfil traditional role in the household; cooking, cleaning, raising children.
• law and order- Minimal law and order in society. Lack of Police Force to enforce laws. Sports had limited rules and regulations, rules were localised and nothing was illegal. (including gambling and animal cruelty).
• Education and literacy was only for upper class boys. They were educated and literate (can read and write). Working class and females were generally illiterate. the working class could only play simple sports with limited rules. working class had unwritten rules but upper class were the opposite.
• Availability of time for lower class was difficult due to working long hours of 75hrs per week. whereas the upper class had lots of free time.

  • Lower-class had no time to participate due to long working hours​
  • Lower-class = no energy after long working hours​
  • Could only participate on bank holidays which there were few of Short activities
• Money - lower class lived off the land, upper class had disposable income.

  • Upper class could afford sport requiring expensive equipment and specialised facilities, or transport to get there​

  Lower class = opposite = natural facilities + equipment
• transport - Horse and cart for upper class but poor road conditions. Walking for lower class.

  • Lower class had to play locally​
  • Lower class sports couldn’t have leagues/cups​
  • Lower class sports didn’t have standardised rules​
  • Many upper class built sports facilities at home to avoid travelling on poor roads​
  • Transport formed the basis of some sports