19 th Century Public School athleticism

Public schools Not privately owned, but run by trustees “An endowed place of education of old standing to which the sons of gentlemen resort in considerable numbers and where they reside from eight or nine to eighteen years of age.” - Sydney Smith (1810)

Public schools Activities in these schools changed massively over 100 years. – From ‘boy culture’ in the early part of the 19 th Century to rationalised written down activities by the end In turn this had a massive impact on sport in society in general.

Tom brown’s schooldays Novel – Thomas Hughes 1857 Important Reflects society at Rugby School under Thomas Arnold (Headmaster) Influences behaviour at other schools, who copy the activities. From a sport point of view, the important extracts are: ―The fight ―The football match ―Country pursuits ―The cricket match

The big 9 public schools Sometimes referred to as the Clarendon schools – Eton – Rugby – Harrow – St Paul’s – Shrewsbury – Merchant Taylors – Westminster – Charterhouse – Winchester The Earl of Clarendon investigated these schools in 1864, coming up with a number of criticisms of public school life, and leading to some general and specific reforms for each school

Characteristics of Public Schools

Phases Expansion Arnoldian 1828 – 1842 Athleticism