Popular Entertainment

Question 1

What was bull baiting?

Answer 1

The bull was chained to a post in the centre of an arena and bulldogs would be let loose to fight the bull
Very popular because it was very cheap to watch

Question 2

What was bear baiting?

Answer 2

The bear would be chained by leg or neck in the centre of the arena and dogs would be let loose to fight it
It was popular because people would gamble on it

Question 3

What was cock fighting?

Answer 3

When two cockerels fight each other in an arena
It was popular because people found it funny and exciting to watch

Question 4

Archery

Answer 4

Men over 24 were expected to practice archery on a Sunday after church
The long bow and crossbow were used

Question 5

Dancing

Answer 5

Lower classes enjoyed traditional country dances
The Queen liked dancing so it was very popular

Question 6

Hunting

Answer 6

Deer hunting was an upper class sport and the rich had their own deer parks
Great hunt picnics were arranged
Prey were usually stags,deer and hares

Question 7

Hawking

Answer 7

Involved using a trained falcon/hawk to fly off a trainer’s arm when the blind cap was removed

Question 8

Music and singing

Answer 8

Many people could play instruments like the recorder and lute
English composers like Tallis were famous across Europe

Question 9

Ball games

Answer 9

Tennis was popular among the rich because lots of space was needed to play
Football was a rough game played by the lower classes where there were few rules
Bowls was played and enjoyed by all classes

Question 10

What were the band of strolling players and why were they banned?

Answer 10

These people would tour the country and would perform for the public e.g Robin Hood
But authorities began to fear it would make people rebel and it would spread the plague
So they were banned in 1572 unless they had a license

Question 11

Why was theatre popular?

Answer 11

Cheap,opportunity to be dressed up, plays were very gripping, gave people something to do, became a social event

Question 12

Who enjoyed the theatre?

Answer 12

Nobles, patrons, poor, the Queen

Question 13

Structure of theatre:

Answer 13

Round or octogonal shaped, central pit had cheapest tickets, black panels were painted on stage, above the stage was a canopy to symbolise god and heaven

Question 14

How many theatres were in London by 1600?

Answer 14

7

Question 15

Who performed in plays?

Answer 15

Men or boys who were expected to take on many roles in a play

Question 16

What were theatre companies?

Answer 16

They performed before the Queen at court and in houses of patrons
Example: The Queen’s men

Question 17

Why was there opposition to theatres from authorities?

Answer 17

Large crowds could lead to fights and pickpocketing, spread of disease

Question 18

Why was there opposition to the theatre from religious groups?

Answer 18

Distracted people from going to church, puritans believed it was the work of the devil, they thought it made people live a corrupt lifestyle