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The Formal Empire

Episode 8 of 30

Clare Balding reveals that, if trade was the driving force behind the expansion of the British Empire, sport was the glue that helped keep it together.

In the nineteenth century a quarter of the world's habitable countries were part of the British Empire and if trade was the driving force behind it's expansion, sport was the glue that helped keep it together. CLARE BALDING explains how sport became a way of transmitting British values around the globe; it was a connection to the mother country and a means of educating the Empire's native subjects. Professor Richard Holt of The International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University reveals the role rugby and cricket played in making Britain great.

Readers, Brian Bowles, Nyasha Hatendi and Sean Baker
Producer: Garth Brameld.

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Thu 21 Jun 2018 02:15

Broadcasts

  • Wed 8 Feb 2012 13:45
  • Wed 9 Jul 2014 14:15
  • Thu 10 Jul 2014 00:15
  • Wed 3 Aug 2016 14:15
  • Thu 4 Aug 2016 02:15
  • Wed 20 Jun 2018 14:15
  • Thu 21 Jun 2018 02:15

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