Newspaper adverts of the time boast daring feats, promising Mr Astley “sword in hand, as in real action” picking up items from the ground “at full speed” whilst Mrs Astley “leaps between the horses… she rides two horses with one foot in each saddle, she fires a pistol”.
This trick riding was popular and the Astleys had rivals, but their genius was to hit on the idea of adding other acts like acrobats and clowns – creating what we know as circus.
Admission cost 6d (2½p) to stand, a shilling (5p) for a seat, or 2 shillings (10p) for a seat under cover.