In 1748, the Bath Journal of August 8:
‘Advertisement, the following ASSES were entered to run on the Town-Common Thursday last; the Names they were enter’d by were, Merry Pintle, Spanking, Roger, Morecock, Turpin, Mouse, Perrdy, Spider, Picksey, Pug, Jan Parsons, Roger &c. They were rode by Boys, and the Plate was won by Jackey Skares’ Ass Merry Pintle - There were Six Thousand Persons on the course, and some of Distinction who came many miles to see the Sport - a Smock and Hat were run for at the same Time by Girls.’
There are a couple of things of interest here; firstly, how popular ass racing was and how well-known many of the asses were. The second is that it is an early Bath reference to the popular Georgian Sport of smock racing. It probably also tells you something about contemporary attitudes toward working-class women: the Asses were the main attraction and were named.
Another advert for a similar event featuring asses and girls provides further information. The Smock race would consist of three heats; the winner would receive the smock, the second would receive the hat, and the third would receive half a crown, which gives some idea of the considerable value of the clothing. Women who wished to compete were required to report to the Common-house by 3 p.m. on the day. The asses won a guinea for first, 5 shillings for second and half a crown for third.
Smocks or shifts were the essential all-purpose undergarment for Georgian women, worn beneath stays and gowns during the day and often also in bed at night. The smocks offered as prizes were typically made of high-quality linen and frequently featured lace and ribbons for trimming. The prize smock was often displayed hanging from a nearby flagpole or tree branch.
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| Rowlandson 1811 |
Smock races wera e populaform of r entertainment throughout the Georgian period, partly because thecatered toed the almost insatiable demand for gambling opportunities, but also, and perhaps primarily, because theprovided male spectators withor thopportunityrs to see young women wearing loose clothing, which often became disarranged and flushed from physical exertion. This is amply illustrated in the above Rowlandson print.
From all the reports and the many prints, competition among the often desperately poor women was fierce. There do not seem to have been any actual rules, and the women freely tripped and barged over their rivals, often knocking them into the dust. The more violent the race became, the louder the audience would roar, and the more acclaim the eventual victor would receive.
Smock races took place in various locations around Bath throughout the eighteenth century, including the Parades and Lansdown and were a feature of many fairs.
Borsay, P. (2000). The image of Georgian Bath, 1700–2000: Towns, heritage, and history. Oxford University Press.
Bath Journal. (1748, AAugust 8. Advertisement.
Rowlandson, T. (181August 8ck race illustration].
