The Evolution of Leisure in England
Before the 1500s, the concept of "leisure" took on many different meanings. The organized society of ancient Rome placed emphasis on leisure and recreation as important parts of life. Romans found entertainment in visiting "stadiums, amphitheaters, and baths" (Early History of Recreation and Leisure).
Then, with the collapse of the Roman Empire came a period of "masochistic self-deprivation" that was advertised by the Anchorite movement, which was popular in England. There was a new Christian emphasis on work, and the Church forbid many forms of entertainment. The Council of Elvira decided that the rite of baptism did not apply to anyone who was connected with theatre and performance. In A. D. 398, the Council of Carthage excommunicated people who attended theatre on holy days. However, that did not mean there was no entertainment whatsoever. Priests "used elements of pagan worship as bells, candles, incense, singing, and dancing" during Christian holy days that were based on traditional pagan festivals.
Although the Church condemned play, there were many forms of entertainment that prevailed in the Middle Ages. Entertainment depended on class; the nobles and clergy enjoyed one type of leisure while the peasant class enjoyed another. Knights mostly participated in hunting and hawking, as these were sports connected to the preparation of war. Later, Niccolò Machiavelli would express that the main concern of a prince is war, and thus even in times of peace, this concern should be expressed through hunting. Other pastimes included: "games, gambling, music and dance, sport, and jousting". Popular games like "chess, checkers, backgammon, and dice" prevailed in castles and manors.
Peasants also enjoyed leisurely activities in the Middle Ages. There were "village feasts and sport, practical joking, throwing weights, cockfighting, bull baiting, and other lively games". Peasants attended "miracle and morality plays" during holiday breaks and enjoyed "drinking and crude brawling". However, unlike the higher classes, peasants were not allowed to hunt. As life got better, people were able to enjoy more pastimes.
The Renaissance began in England around 1500, marking "a transition between the medieval world and the modern age". There was an emphasis on the freedom of thought and a rational view of life. Power increased in the monarchy and nobility, and thus individuals in these classes became patrons of art, music, and literature. Furthermore, there was an emphasis on the utilization of games and entertainment as a form of education. English philosopher John Locke thought that games could contribute greatly to character development. Diverging from the view of the Benedictine rule that read: "Idleness is the great enemy of the soul", Locke proclaimed that "Recreation...is not being idle...but easing the wearied part by change of business.".
With the Reformation came the "Protestant work ethic", which led to strict limitations on recreational activities in Europe. The English Puritans sought to "limit or condemn sport and other forms of entertainment". During the Elizabethan era, the Anglican Church attacked stage plays, festival gatherings, dancing, bowling, gambling, hawking, hunting, and reading as "devilish pastimes". However, King James I believed that many forms of entertainment were innocent and harmless. So, he issued the Declaration of Lawful Sports (reissued by Charles I in 1633) in 1618, asking, "When shall the common people have leave to exercise, if not upon the Sundayes and holy daies...?".
In the later years of the Renaissance, three kinds of parks developed. The first were royal hunting parks, the second were French garden parks, and the third were English garden parks. The most defining characteristic about English garden parks was the naturalistic effect that they produced. Such gardens included Vauxhall, a "densely wooded area with walks and bowers, lighting displays, water mills, fireworks, artificial caves and grottoes, entertainment, eating places, and tea gardens" which was supported by the growing middle class. There was a fee to enter the park, and merchants and tradesmen were able to distinguish themselves from the "rabble". The upper classes visited more fashionable parks such as Hyde Park and St. James Park. Individuals from the higher classes enjoyed "wresting matches, [horse] races, military displays, fireworks...illuminations". In the lower classes, countrymen enjoyed football, cricket, wrestling, Morris dancing, and singing folk songs.