what interesting facts are there about elizabethan england sports?

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Elizabethan England was a period known for its love of sports and leisure activities. Here are a few interesting facts about sports in Elizabethan England:

1. Archery: Archery was a popular sport during this time and was considered an important skill for warfare. Laws were made to encourage Englishmen to practice archery by enforcing regular practice sessions.

2. Football: A violent version of football, known as "mob football" or "shrovetide football," was played during festivals. The game didn't have many rules, and it often turned into a chaotic affair with no strict boundaries.

3. Bear Baiting: Bear baiting involved chaining a bear to a post and setting dogs on it. It was a popular entertainment activity despite its cruelty. Queen Elizabeth I was known to be fond of bear-baiting and even kept bears in her royal menagerie.

4. Tennis: Tennis, or "real tennis," was a favorite sport among the nobility and the wealthy. It was played in indoor courts akin to modern-day squash courts but with different rules and a more complex scoring system.

5. Fencing: Fencing, known as "the art of defense," gained popularity during this time. It was considered an essential skill for noblemen, as duels were not uncommon, and they needed to defend themselves.

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