What was the most popular sport in the Elizabethan era?



One feature of Elizabethan society was the enjoyment of blood sports, or cruel sports. Of these the most popular were bull-baiting, cockfighting and bear baiting. Purpose built buildings such as a ‘cockpit’ or ‘Bear Garden’ were built that could house hundreds or more of spectators at a time.

What sports did the rich play in the Elizabethan era?

The wealthy enjoyed jousting. Jousts often took part alongside major celebrations and festivals. It was only played by the rich because it was an expensive sport due to the cost of the items needed to take part. Jousting: sporting contest in which two opponents on horseback fight with lances.

What type of play was popular during the Elizabethan era?

The themes of plays changed during Elizabeth’s reign and English playwrights began to write comedies and tragedies. By the end of her reign playwrights such as Marlowe, Johnson and Shakespeare were writing the plays for which they are now famous.

Why were sports important in the Elizabethan era?





Various Sports were played and watched and formed much of Elizabethan Entertainment, especially for the Nobility. Elizabethan Team sports gained in popularity during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The team sports were enjoyed by both the players and the spectators. The Elizabethan era was dangerous and violent.

What games did Elizabethans?

The following Sporting games were played by Elizabethans:

  • Archery – Archery contests were extremely popular during the Elizabethan era.
  • Tag – Children’s game of ‘catch’
  • Battledore and Shuttlecock – the ancestors of modern badminton.
  • Billiards.
  • Bowls.
  • Colf – the ancestor of Golf.
  • Gameball – a simple football game.

Which game was illegal in Elizabethan England?

Which game was illegal in Elizabethan England ? The authoritories of the time frowned on football, concerned that it was diverting the villagers from the much more useful pastime of archery. By 1540 this concern had become so great that the government passed a law banning the game of football all together!

What sports did the poor play in the Elizabethan era?

The poor and middling sort enjoyed physical games as well, such as wrestling and stick fighting. An early form of football was also played in Elizabethan times.



Did Queen Elizabeth attend plays?



No, as far as we know, she never attended any of the London Theatres. It would have been too dangerous, not only because of the danger of assassination, but because of disease. The Queen had her own company of actors called The Queen’s Men and these performed plays at court.

Who was a highly popular figure on Elizabethan stage?

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) stands out in this period both as a poet and playwright. Shakespeare wrote plays in a variety of genres, including histories, tragedies, comedies and the late romances, or tragicomedies.