Were you surprised that women's boxing matches were held in the 18th century?

Were you surprised that women's boxing matches were held in the 18th century?

I did not know that there were women's boxing matches during the 18th century but I can't say that I was really surprised. People have found ways to make money and find a variety of ways to gamble for centuries. Probably women boxed in the Roman Empire years.

Yes, I was very surprised. I should not have been because there were so many people that needed to make a living without much education, that they came up with many things to do that.

I just had to go to the internet and look up women boxing. They had pictures of the woman boxers. Bare- knuckle boxing was very popular and a great form of entertainment for people. Seems pretty dangerous to me.

No, I was not surprised. It would be like asking if one is surprised that there were men cheating on their wives in Biblical times.

I was very surprised that women were boxing in the 18th century.

Totally surprised. In fact, I didn't believe it; I had to google it. The conditions of the fight that Ruth, Charlotte, and Henry went to see were fairly accurate.

I had no idea. This subject matter was interesting and one I have not read about at all.

I was very surprised to learn that there were women pugilists in the 18th century. And then I was even more surprised when Ruth started fighting when she was only ten years old. She was really a child as opposed to a woman.

I wasn't surprised that there were women boxers but I was surprised that they were allowed to be pitted against men double their size. I feel like even in the 18th century there should have been some idea of pitting people in the same weight ranges against each other to make it fair. Did anyone else find that surprising that there was no limit on opponents?

I had never heard of women pugilists; I found it fascinating.

To respond to Rebecca, regrettably I don't think the concept of fairness came into the equation. If two men wanted to pit dogs of different sizes against each other in a fight they would have gone ahead and done so - and were people like Tom and Ruth considered that different? I think it wasn't until the mid to late 19th century that weight classifications came in as part of the Queensberry Rules - and it would likely have taken some time for them to be accepted by all.

JoannaM - I think you're right and I like your description of it. Dryer made it obvious that he thought nothing of Tom and Ruth and I still didn't quite piece together that they were treated as dogs. I think that the part in the book where Ruth was getting pummeled and I think it was Charlotte but may have been someone else says to Granville, "he'll kill her" talking about Ruth and the large male opponent. And Granville's response was "he just might" or something to that effect. Completely no emotion, doesn't seem to even care that this person he has invested so much time and money in may die. He cares for her less even than he might a dog. Very interesting thought JoannaM!

I was very surprised that women's boxing matches were held in the 18th century, mainly because of the expectations and roles women were supposed to portray. Mothers, wives, feminine, soft, not rough fighters or premium athletes. However, someone mentioned previously that finding way to capitalize of any activity.

I had to look up the word pugilist, I always get excited about anything women's lib. I am an avid fan of women's MMA (mixed martial arts), women's boxing today is not as popular. Maybe it is time for a comeback!

I am not at all surprised. It's in human nature to fight each other. Like I've said in another post, Ruth did not intend to become a boxer; it just happened when the Madame saw her and Dora fighting in the convent yard. When Ruth beat Dora, the Madame was more excited about Ruth than she was worried about Dora's health. This shows the weakness in Dora's character. You can tell from here on out that Dora would be the weak character and Ruth would be strong.

People have always fought and always will fight. It's how we deal with the aftermath of these fights, that shape our characters.

At first I was shocked, but then I realized that it was a time when there was little that was forbidden to satisfy people's lowest and most debauched tastes. For many violence was a distraction from the ugliness of their lives, for others it may have been a case of "better them then me" (especially the public hangings etc). For the Upper Classes, they often dehumanized those of the lower classes and saw them as they saw fighting dogs and bears.

Yes, I was initially surprised that there were women boxers. It makes for a fascinating subject. But then it does seem, why not?

Yes, I was very surprised that it happened. I wasn't surprised though to read that it was not as socially acceptable as the men pugilists. The men are definitely held in a higher regard, which does make sense for that time period.

I was quit surprised that women participated in sports much less boxing. I just assumed that it was an all male sport back then. I'm sure it was a great entertainment to see women boxing in a time when not many women were even boxing. I just thought they could only participate in sports in the Olympics.

No, not really. Men have always loved a "girl fight". For whatever reason they find it arousing. As one if the other people said, there were probably girl fights in the Roman Empire. I find it sad that women still feel a need to fight for money. There have to be better ways to make a living.

I was very surprised. I have never read about this subject. Women have always been fighting for something, just in different ways.

I had never really thought about it as I have never really had much interest in boxing or wrestling. However, I understand janen's point that men have always liked a "girl's fight." I think it is very sad that anyone had to live in the way that either Ruth or Dora lived; for that matter, Jacky and Ma and even Charlotte had miserable lives. Many of us do not realize the luxury we live in - really, we even have time and money for indulging ourselves in reading!