What is a Toxophilite?
Apparently we’re not the only ones obsessed with our medieval past. Check out what it looked like in Jane Austen’s day.
As the Georgian period drew to a close, an increasing fascination with the medieval past led to a revival of the English archery tradition. (Sounds nothing like what we do today, does it? SCA friends, I’m looking at you!) The privileged gentry class, not required to work for their livings, had time to indulge in pastimes like sporting activities. And indulge they did.
While most sporting activities effectively barred women from participation—exertion, sweating, running and all the odd postures that might be necessary were decidedly unladylike— archery was not only considered an acceptable pastime, but an activity where women could show off their grace and ‘feminine form’ without risk of being considered vulgar. (Vulgarity was considered the kiss of death in polite society.)
“The acceptability of women practicing and watching archery was rooted in their presence adding to the pastime’s aesthetics. This was something frequently remarked upon by observers: ‘The beauties in the circle of carriages which surrounded the enclosure upon the Heath, out-numbered and out-shone those of any assembly we ever saw.’ … As one writer put it, archery could not fail to display ‘the graces of the female form, in a considerable degree’. …
(Johnes, 2004)
The male archers no doubt admired and enjoyed such elegant and graceful female forms. Parallels can be drawn here with the new public cultural venues that were being built in many towns of the period and which were notorious as forums for sexual spectatorship and courtship. Indeed, this was part of the very raison d’être of the assembly rooms, pleasure gardens, theatres and halls.…
Archery, complete with the romantic associations of Cupid and his bow and arrows, offered men and women an opportunity to meet, view and enjoy their social equals.”
Is anyone surprised that period observers would have to tie women as athletes back to the all consuming task of finding a proper husband?
This was interesting. I loved the archery scene in the 1940s P&P with Greer Garson. She was amazing. Her banter with Mr. Darcy [Olivier] and Miss Bingley was so funny and spot-on. In the 1996 movie, Emma, Mr. Knightley’s response ‘don’t kill my dogs’ is another favorite. I was glad to see your use of archery in your excerpts. I can’t wait for the next chapter.