Pre-industrial britain

• The lower class were poor, employed in manual labour, had little free time, had no education, poor literacy skills and little to no authority.
• Some examples of lower class sport are mob football, cock fighting, dog fighting, prize fighting and pedestrianism.
• Characteristics of lower class sport are violent, few rules, local events only, basic facilities, irregular events (mainly holidays), wagering focused and participation was mainly male.
• The upper class were rich, hereditary land owners, didn't work, had lot's of free time, were educated, had literacy skills and were powerful figures in society.
• Examples of upper class sport were real tennis and fox hunting.
• Characteristics of upper class were civilised, rule bound with complex written rules, wagering focused, time consuming, class distinct, required some specialist equipment and clothing, some travelling and membership.
• Lower class peasant women took part in smock racing at country fairs and upper class women took part in archery and real tennis as they had specialist equipment and facilities.
• Upper and lower class women were viewed as the weaker/inferior sex, lower status than men, need to be kept in their place and not as deserving as men. They participated in different, non-violent pastimes to men.
• Women were denied sporting opportunities because being competitive and athletic wasn't "ladylike", inappropriate due to pregnancy, opportunities being for men, socially unacceptable and the harmful and dangerous nature of sport.
• Upper class sport involved law and order with advanced sophisticated rules due to being literate. Lower class sport reflected the lack of law and order and had few, simple rules as they were illiterate.
• Upper class had lot's of free time to participate in sport. Lower class worked long 12+ hours on the land and therefore had little free time and energy to take part in sport and could only participate in holidays.
• Lower class often stayed local leading to simple easy access. Upper class owned horse and carriages so could travel between villages/towns to play real tennis. However transport was limited due to poor road conditions.