LIFTING THE SPIRITS OF THE NATION: BRITISH BOXERS AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE NATIONAL SPORTING HERO AT THE TIME OF THE NAPOLEONIC WARS

Abstract

In September 2003 a leading British broadsheet Sunday newspaper ran a leader headed “This Sporting Life” and “Cheers for two heroes of our time,” in which it acknowledged the ability of two current, young sporting heroes to “inspire hope” and “to lift the spirits of the nation.” Nearly 200 years ago, Tom Cribb, a pugilist, was similarly described as a “hero” and his exploits were described as having “national” significance after he had defeated a black pugilist from the United States. This essay uses contemporary sources to examine the life of Tom Cribb and the public response to him, and asks whether he was the first British national sporting hero and what characteristics he may share with modern sporting heroes. The National Sporting Hero (NSH) does not necessarily come from the same ethnic group that makes him a hero, but once acquired, the status is likely to last well beyond the normal sporting career and may last for life. A NSH will have had success against a formidable opponent and provoked feelings in the general public that develop from interest to admiration, pride, gratitude, and eventually affection and will also garner public recognition beyond those who normally follow sport and a willingness of the public to overlook personal flaws. This supports Richard Holt's view that unlike heroes from other spheres whose genius makes them appear “special creatures,” sporting heroes are seen to be “more like us.” Perhaps they give us hope and lift our spirits because we see in them ourselves, not perhaps as we are, but as we would like to be.

Key Words:

• Masculinity
• boxing
• ethnicity
• hero, England

Notes

This early nineteenth century version of “boxing” was also known as “pugilism” and the “prize-ring” and its exponents were known, almost interchangeably, as boxers, pugilists, and prize fighters. Although the word “boxing” was in common use in the early years of the nineteenth century, this should not be confused with “boxing” under Marquis of Queensberry Rules that first appeared in 1866.

The exhibition was held between 16 October 1998 and 24 January 1999.

The first fight took place on Copthall Common near East Grinstead on 18 December 1810 and the rematch took place at Thistleton Gap in Leicestershire, on the border between Lincolnshire and Rutland.

For example, The St. James's Chronicle and London Evening Post (29 July 1811) and The Leicester Journal (2 August 1811), reported that the fight would take place at Doncaster, either on the race course or in the huge yard behind the Rose and Crown where Daniel Mendoza and Richard Humphries had fought twenty-one years earlier.

The contemporary estimates of the size of the crowd ranged from 15,000 to 25,000, with the most common estimate being 20,000.

For example, Thomas Tegg, in Cheapside, published a print on 15 October 1811, entitled “In Training for a Milling Match,” showing Cribb being purged by Captain Barclay. The following day, Tegg published another print entitled “Cribb Uncorking Blackstrap,” showing Tom Cribb uncorking a bottle of rum showing Tom Molineux's face. They were each priced at one shilling, coloured.

As an example, see The Morning Post (8 May 1789). About fifteen percent of all its news space was devoted to the Humphries-Mendoza fight; the rest of the paper was dominated by the trial of Warren Hastings, a letter from Edmund Burke, and advertisements. France was not mentioned.

Fancy, The [June 1823], Vol. II, No. XXXVIII: 341–348

Leicester Journal, The 2 August 1811

Morning Post, The 8 May 1789

Observer, The 14 September 2003. This sporting life: Cheers for two heroes of our time. P. 28.

Sportsman's Magazine; or Chronicle of Games and Pastimes, The April 1824. Another cup to Spring, and a stuff box to Cribb. P. 108

St James's Chronicle and London Evening Post, The 22–25 June 1811

St James's Chronicle and London Evening Post, The 27–30 July 1811. Boxing.

St James's Chronicle and London Evening Post, The 28 September–1 October 1811. Boxing.

St James's Chronicle and London Evening Post, The 9–11 March 1819. Sparring before the Archduke Maximilian.

Times, The 16 September 1811. Boxers.

Times, The 18 September 1811. Boxers

Times, The 21 September 1811

Times, The 30 Sept 1811. Boxing.

Times, The 1 October 1811. Boxers.