This document summarizes the early history of sports in public schools in the United Kingdom from the 18th to early 20th centuries. It describes the initial "Barbarian Phase" where activities were unruly and often violent as students fought for control. Over time, as schools expanded and had more facilities and oversight, students began organizing their own activities like cricket, football, and hunting in their free time. The nature of the playing areas influenced the form the games took. Headmasters had varying reactions to students' recreation but began acknowledging the need for organized activities.
2. Pre-Industrial Post-Industrial 1700 1800 1900 2000 Popular recreation C18th C19th C20th State Elementary Education Rational Recreation Public School Athleticism Four Aspects of Sports History Popular Recreation
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4. View of Harrow 1802. An early 19 th C picture of Harrow School, showing a cricket game in progress. Note simplicity.
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9. The Long Chamber, Eton – 1840. 50 boys between 9-19 would be locked up at night and left without supervision till morning. Room decayed, icy winter winds would come through broken windows.
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16. Cricket at Charterhouse – 1805 Still only 2 stumps and with cloisters in the background. Cricket was the most respectable game.
17. The Fishing/Poaching expedition Fishing was different to swimming, especially if pursued out of bounds. Tom Brown was caught by the new under Keeper. This time he was flogged.
