POPULAR RECREATION Real Tennis originated in France and became a game of the aristocracy in 18 th century Britain It was played in courtyards and great houses belonging to Kings and nobles Courts were built and were expensive to hire, making the game exclusive to the rich. Complex rules (written) Strict dress code Game required time to master therefore the upper class could only play. Mass populace 1
Restricted to the aristocracy via acts of law banning servants and labourers from playing Highly sophisticated and complex codification; written rules with specialist language; dress code and regulations for spectators Spread throughout the country in castles, fine houses and gentry clubs in towns Purpose built, man made facilities POPULAR RECREATION: TENNIS Played regular as leisured class had lots of free time Respectable code of behaviour etiquette, no physical violence; skilful, not forceful; tactics and strategies required RATIONAL RECREATION Lawn tennis was invented by the middle class and was a copy of real tennis. Lower middle class would have gone to tennis clubs as their gardens were not big enough. Originally called Sphairistike and was played on an hour shaped glass court. (Major WIngfield) The game still required money to purchase equipment and space Lawn tennis was deemed a respectable social occasion and it was played in private and was mixed gender Important factor in the history of women s sport end of the 19 th century = emancipation of the middle class women. No special clothing was deemed necessary full length skirts and blouses were won, but there was a gradual relaxing of this. No bodily contact therefore it was considered refined and ladylike Skill deemed more important than physical exertion 2
PUBLIC SCHOOLS STAGE 1: Informal ball and hand games played against walls eg Fives STAGE 2: Some Fives courts were built, although it remained an informal activity. STAGE 3: Fives continued as a recreational pastime Lawn tennis had developed but was given more status as a summer game in girls public schools than boys Lawn tennis was not welcomed by boys public schools because it required Less physicality / courage Less teamwork Fewer leadership opportunities Large space for relatively few players Associated with girls schools It was given a lower value than cricket and rugby by parents. As a popular recreation Real or tennis originated in France. It was an game for and nobles who played on purpose-built, courts which varied in size and shape. The game also had rules and required high levels of. skill kings sophisticated royal complex exclusive 3
In the public schools Various bat and ball games existed in public schools including fives, racquets and squash. Lawn tennis was not welcomed by boys public schools for the following reasons: The courts took up a comparatively large for the number of boys occupied. It did not have the of cricket or football. It did not require the or of major team games. It had a of being suitable only for. status co-operation reputation space girls teamwork As a rational recreation The game of lawn tennis was, patented and made popular by a army officer in 1874. The game was bought by the most upper-middle-class families and soon became part of family recreation and an important symbol. Lawn tennis played a key part in the of women. It helped to dispel some of earlier times that to be athletic was medically harmful. The game did not require special and could be played in large gardens with high hedges or walls which provided. fashionable privacy emancipation dress stereotypes middle-class Victorian invented status Write a list of factors that have helped develop tennis in the UK. Explain the impact of these factors on contemporary participation and performance. 4
In Pre-Industrial Britain different social groups played different games. Why was real tennis (Fig 2) exclusive to those who enjoyed a privileged lifestyle in Pre-Industrial Britain? [4] Games were a central feature of Public Schools in the Second half of the 19 th century. Why did headmasters of late 19 th century boys public schools see lawn tennis (Fig 3) and fives as less valuable than games such as football and cricket? [5] 5