| The purpose of this study was to investigate the sport and physical recreation of working- and upper-class women in Britain, 1700 to 1850. This was related to the general history of the era and to men's sports. The following factors were examined: activities pursued; views of participants, spectators and society; spread of sport between the classes; participation in relation to women's roles; location and time of participation; changes in participation; relationship between women's and men's activities.; The historical method of research was used and data were obtained from written sources, advertisements and pictures found in British libraries and museums. The findings were presented chronologically but divided by class.; The following conclusions were drawn. Women of all classes engaged in dancing, cricket and swimming; working-class women engaged in stoolball, trapball, football, golf, footraces, strength activities, pugilism, sword-fighting and rowing; upper-class women engaged in battledore, riding, hunting, angling, shooting, archery, climbing, walking, sailing, using exercise machines, skating and possibly cycling. Working-class sport was spontaneous, close-at-hand, inexpensive and vigorous; upper-class recreations were often lengthy, expensive and covered large acreages.; Spectators were unusual at upper-class women's sport but often numerous at working-class women's sport where they sometimes paid and bet. Many condemned the excesses of working-class sport and some thought upper-class sportswomen masculine. No evidence was found that women's sport spread between the classes. Upper-class women tried to be obviously at their leisure; working-class women laboured strenuously--their sports were vigorous and many regional differences existed. Their games were played mainly around Shrovetide and late summer. Before the Industrial Revolution working-class women participated more than the upper class; after it working-class participation dropped because of work, lack of playing space and moral issues. Upper-class women then also participated less due to fashions and societal pressure. Both classes engaged in mixed and single-sex activities. There were many men's activities in which no women participated. |
