Sporting, The North Meadows, Central Park, Proposed Site for Buildings of World Fair, 1892

From Harpers Weekly, Harper and Brothers  1892

Date: 1892

 Publisher: Harper and Brothers for Harpers Weekly

Artist: Smedley, WT

Paper Size: 558 x 405mm

Print Size: 520 x 350mm

Condition: Good

Technique: Wood engraving with later hand colouring

Price: $350

Description: Wood Engraving with later hand colouring

Provenance

The Epsom Derby still runs today

The History of English Sport

The English have always been 'addicted to sport' all through the ages and the games that people played often depended on their status in life.

Upper-class men spent their time at field sports like hunting, fishing and shooting as many were landowners and were able to host hunting events and shooting parties.

 Cricket had been invented and was pursued with zeal. The history of cricket dates back to England in 1550, where there is evidence of the game being played in Guildford, Surrey.

England remains the centre of one of the world’s biggest tennis tournaments. Wimbleton is the oldest and most famous of all the grand slam tennis events and is played in June when the weather is supposed to be at its best. A Wimbledon tradition is that spectators eat strawberries and cream while they watch the matches

An early version of tennis was played during the Tudor times. It was imported from France but was very expensive so only the rich played. The racket frames were made of wood and the strings of cow gut. The balls were made of fabric scraps and string. From tennis, a form of badminton evolved and was called a shuttlecock

Women were not involved in sport as women had very few rights. Everyone gambled on sports outcomes. Even children gambled using their little trinkets.  The 1700-the 1800s brought great change to sport. New sports like cricket were played and football remained popular. Rules were introduced and became more refined and organised teams were formed. The biggest advancement was that women started to play sports like cricket.

Everyone watches sport for basically the same reasons today. In the past during Tudor times, it was often to relieve anger and stress. Today, it is more about getting together for fun and relaxation. They watch for entertainment and pleasure

Sports in England have come a long way since the 1400s. They are not nearly as brutal as they used to be, though at times still rough. Rules are now official and are pretty much the same all over the world but the reasons for watching sport are all still the same. They serve as a reason for gatherings and meetings and for recreation.

To learn more click here: The History of English Sport