Bull baiting - British national sport of yesteryear
Bull baiting, a contest between several trained dogs and a tethered bull. The bull usually tied up with a rope to an iron ring, attached to the ground in the centre of a so-called bullring, so the bull was confined in a certain diameter. One by one the dog handlers let their dogs attack the raging bull. The fight could easily last an hour and an experienced bull could kill the dogs easily. There were dogs which attacked the nose, some were focussed on the ears. Injured dogs were expected to attack again, however, not surprisingly, many didn't go again immediately. A harsh, bloody spectacle..what becomes clear from an 1878 description of J. Grice of Middle. As a boy he was a spectator of a bull bait at Loppington, Shropshire:
"The most barbarous act I ever saw. It was a young bull and had very little notion of tossing the dogs, which tore his ears and the skin off his face in shreds and his mournful cries were awful. I was up a tree and was afraid the world would open and swallow us all up!"
There are different opinions and theories about when, where and how bull baiting came up as a sport. Several historical writings seem to give us contradictory information.
The first theory could be that fights between dogs and animals have 'always' existed. Although it's never proven, it's common believe that the Romans, not particularly known of their animal kindness, already arranged fights between animals and dogs.
Correct or not, the role that dogs have played in the Roman arena's is greatly exaggerated by many. Fights between wild animals and human gladiators, as well as wild animals against each other were common, dogs probably played a minor role in this. Emperor Caligula (12-41 AD) supposedly once organized a fight between gladiators, their dogs and bears and about 30 BC, Strabone (48 BC-24 AD) wrote that it takes 4 Molossian dogs to face a lion, however, they flock guards, so this does not mean necessarily in a staged combat situation.
Tauromaquia (from Greek, tauromachia which means bull fight) was also a popular pastime in ancient Rome...fights between bulls and human gladiators with possible assistance of dogs.
We can assume that the Romans during the occupancy of Europe and Britain did have a lot of influence in order to the development of blood sports, but this does not necessarily means canine blood sports in the way historiography tells us.
But when we forget the theory of 'fights between dogs and animals always existed' and take a look at the 'first' known reference to some sort of bull baiting in Britain we come across the following.
November 13, 1209, Stamford. William Plantagenet de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey (1166-1240) saw two bulls fighting over a cow, at some point the butchers of the town arrived to separate the bulls, the raging bulls however, chased by the butchers dogs, ran into the town and caused damage and commotion. Eventually the bulls were captured and slaughtered. Apparently, William enjoyed this spectacle, he gave the land (the Meadows) to the town butchers and from that time every year on november 13th, a bull run was organized at the then called 'Bull-Meadow'. This story should be regarded as a myth and in fact bull running isn't the same as bull baiting but it is still a very popular explanation of the origin of bull baiting as a sport
Another theory is the possibility that bull baiting did not begin as a sport at all. Bull baiting was necessary because there was a time that people believe that meat of baited bulls was better eatable, more tenderly and better to digest (Health improvement, T. Muffett, 1655). Started as necessarily, bull baiting became more and more popular the passing years. At first all strong, heavy build dogs were used but in the course of time a specialized type of dogs was developed to fight the bull. This is were Bulldog and Mastiff type dogs went separate ways....
"The most barbarous act I ever saw. It was a young bull and had very little notion of tossing the dogs, which tore his ears and the skin off his face in shreds and his mournful cries were awful. I was up a tree and was afraid the world would open and swallow us all up!"
There are different opinions and theories about when, where and how bull baiting came up as a sport. Several historical writings seem to give us contradictory information.
The first theory could be that fights between dogs and animals have 'always' existed. Although it's never proven, it's common believe that the Romans, not particularly known of their animal kindness, already arranged fights between animals and dogs.
Correct or not, the role that dogs have played in the Roman arena's is greatly exaggerated by many. Fights between wild animals and human gladiators, as well as wild animals against each other were common, dogs probably played a minor role in this. Emperor Caligula (12-41 AD) supposedly once organized a fight between gladiators, their dogs and bears and about 30 BC, Strabone (48 BC-24 AD) wrote that it takes 4 Molossian dogs to face a lion, however, they flock guards, so this does not mean necessarily in a staged combat situation.
Tauromaquia (from Greek, tauromachia which means bull fight) was also a popular pastime in ancient Rome...fights between bulls and human gladiators with possible assistance of dogs.
We can assume that the Romans during the occupancy of Europe and Britain did have a lot of influence in order to the development of blood sports, but this does not necessarily means canine blood sports in the way historiography tells us.
But when we forget the theory of 'fights between dogs and animals always existed' and take a look at the 'first' known reference to some sort of bull baiting in Britain we come across the following.
November 13, 1209, Stamford. William Plantagenet de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey (1166-1240) saw two bulls fighting over a cow, at some point the butchers of the town arrived to separate the bulls, the raging bulls however, chased by the butchers dogs, ran into the town and caused damage and commotion. Eventually the bulls were captured and slaughtered. Apparently, William enjoyed this spectacle, he gave the land (the Meadows) to the town butchers and from that time every year on november 13th, a bull run was organized at the then called 'Bull-Meadow'. This story should be regarded as a myth and in fact bull running isn't the same as bull baiting but it is still a very popular explanation of the origin of bull baiting as a sport
Another theory is the possibility that bull baiting did not begin as a sport at all. Bull baiting was necessary because there was a time that people believe that meat of baited bulls was better eatable, more tenderly and better to digest (Health improvement, T. Muffett, 1655). Started as necessarily, bull baiting became more and more popular the passing years. At first all strong, heavy build dogs were used but in the course of time a specialized type of dogs was developed to fight the bull. This is were Bulldog and Mastiff type dogs went separate ways....
However, it is very difficult to separate fact from fiction and therefor it's almost impossible to know the real truth. Fact is, at a certain time bull baiting was Britain's national pastime and arena's were everywhere.
The fickle King Henry VIII (1491-1547) had his own bull garden and was a great devotee of the so-called blood sports. During the Elizabethan times almost every town and village had a bull - and bear baiting ring. Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) also was a great devotee of the bloody spectacles. In 1591 there even came a law that all theatres had to be closed at thursday. Aim of this law...? Draw as many people as possible to the bull baiting arena's.
For centuries bull baiting was a very popular and celebrated sport, with the upper- as well as the lower class. However, King James II (1633-1701) was not amused by the bloody spectacle and in 1685 he declared bull baiting improper as a sport. Earlier, around 1645 the London theatres already were closed due to the Puritan 'Lord Protector' Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), this period is referred to as the 'Protectorate Period', hence, around the 1660's theatres reopened again.
Ironically the bloodsports were allowed to continue and besides the immense theatres there was a time that every town or village throughout Britain had its own bullring. Usually situated around the town market and butchers nearby. Just in 1802 a bill for the surpression of bull baiting was introduced (by John Dent) into the House of Commons, it was defeated by 13 votes. Finally in Britain in 1835 bull baiting (as well as any form of animal fighting) was prohibited by law by Act of Parliament (in the Netherlands there was a law against bull - and bear baiting allready in 1689!). In Spain the use of dogs to assist in bull fights was banned in 1883.
Many of the bullrings of the old days still exist, the most famous one was the Bullring Amphitheatre (capacity around 1000 spectators!) in London, on the Bankside in Southwark on the southside of the Thames river, close to the Bear Garden. The Birmingham Bullring once founded as a market (1154) became a 'true' bull baiting arena a few centuries later. In the Birmingham map of 1878 the area was first named 'bullring', earlier maps show the market and the nearby butcher shops (shambles). Remarkably, bull baiting already was prohibited in 1773 in Birmingham and in 1801 the ring itself, as the surrounding butcher shops were demolished. The prohibition in Birmingham doesn't mean that bull baiting didn't occur anymore...as an anecdote from 1777 tells us, where authorities mention 'great disturbances' caused by bull baiting events in the area.
Today, the Birmingham Bullring is the largest shopping mall of Britain with millions of visitor every year. The only thing that reminds us to its bloody past is a bronze statue of a bull designed by Laurence Broderick.
The fickle King Henry VIII (1491-1547) had his own bull garden and was a great devotee of the so-called blood sports. During the Elizabethan times almost every town and village had a bull - and bear baiting ring. Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) also was a great devotee of the bloody spectacles. In 1591 there even came a law that all theatres had to be closed at thursday. Aim of this law...? Draw as many people as possible to the bull baiting arena's.
For centuries bull baiting was a very popular and celebrated sport, with the upper- as well as the lower class. However, King James II (1633-1701) was not amused by the bloody spectacle and in 1685 he declared bull baiting improper as a sport. Earlier, around 1645 the London theatres already were closed due to the Puritan 'Lord Protector' Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), this period is referred to as the 'Protectorate Period', hence, around the 1660's theatres reopened again.
Ironically the bloodsports were allowed to continue and besides the immense theatres there was a time that every town or village throughout Britain had its own bullring. Usually situated around the town market and butchers nearby. Just in 1802 a bill for the surpression of bull baiting was introduced (by John Dent) into the House of Commons, it was defeated by 13 votes. Finally in Britain in 1835 bull baiting (as well as any form of animal fighting) was prohibited by law by Act of Parliament (in the Netherlands there was a law against bull - and bear baiting allready in 1689!). In Spain the use of dogs to assist in bull fights was banned in 1883.
Many of the bullrings of the old days still exist, the most famous one was the Bullring Amphitheatre (capacity around 1000 spectators!) in London, on the Bankside in Southwark on the southside of the Thames river, close to the Bear Garden. The Birmingham Bullring once founded as a market (1154) became a 'true' bull baiting arena a few centuries later. In the Birmingham map of 1878 the area was first named 'bullring', earlier maps show the market and the nearby butcher shops (shambles). Remarkably, bull baiting already was prohibited in 1773 in Birmingham and in 1801 the ring itself, as the surrounding butcher shops were demolished. The prohibition in Birmingham doesn't mean that bull baiting didn't occur anymore...as an anecdote from 1777 tells us, where authorities mention 'great disturbances' caused by bull baiting events in the area.
Today, the Birmingham Bullring is the largest shopping mall of Britain with millions of visitor every year. The only thing that reminds us to its bloody past is a bronze statue of a bull designed by Laurence Broderick.
Though eventually the law which banned animal fighting became effective in 1835, yet the sport in most parts of Britain already greatly diminished in popularity at the second part of the 18th century. It was a dying phenomenon. There are only few cases in which the government has to enforce a ban, for instance in Beeston (Nottinghamshire), during the Parish celebrations in 1825, as also in the following year and in Washmere Green (Suffolk) in the year 1842. There were 12 people involved which were all prosecuted, as we can read in 'The Bury Post' on november 23rd, 1842. This is also considered as being the last bull baiting event of Britain. Also in Oakengates (Shropshire), a bull baiting took place a year after the ban and there is a bull baiting recorded in 1838 in Niniveh, near Birmingham.
However, there was a region which differs from the rest of Britain, the West- Midlands/ Black Country. In contrary to other areas, bull baiting retained its popularity and only by interference from the authorities, the pastime could be surpressed. During the Birmingham Wakes of 1798 for example, a bull was taken by a militia at Birmingham Heath, where the spectacle would be held. Despite the effort, the bull bait took place at nearby Handsworth.
At Tettenham, Wolverhampton, bull baiting was a hard to surpress pastime and for some years around 1815 the authorities stated that anybody involved in bull baiting at the annual Wakes, will be fully punished.
In 1823, at the Tipton Wakes, bull baiting was prevented by the hands of the authorities and the next year at the Wakes in Birmingham, Bromwich and Wednesbury, bull baiters were sentenced.
The 1822 'Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle' excluded bulls, probably to save the sport of bull baiting but authorites often try to use this law to prohibit bull baiting or to convict organisers, the law of 1835 finally brought foreclosure. The last reference to bull baiting in the Birmingham area appeared in a local newspaper (Aris' Birmingham Gazette) in 1839, where it mentioned the absense of bull baiting at the Brierly Hill Wakes.
However, there was a region which differs from the rest of Britain, the West- Midlands/ Black Country. In contrary to other areas, bull baiting retained its popularity and only by interference from the authorities, the pastime could be surpressed. During the Birmingham Wakes of 1798 for example, a bull was taken by a militia at Birmingham Heath, where the spectacle would be held. Despite the effort, the bull bait took place at nearby Handsworth.
At Tettenham, Wolverhampton, bull baiting was a hard to surpress pastime and for some years around 1815 the authorities stated that anybody involved in bull baiting at the annual Wakes, will be fully punished.
In 1823, at the Tipton Wakes, bull baiting was prevented by the hands of the authorities and the next year at the Wakes in Birmingham, Bromwich and Wednesbury, bull baiters were sentenced.
The 1822 'Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle' excluded bulls, probably to save the sport of bull baiting but authorites often try to use this law to prohibit bull baiting or to convict organisers, the law of 1835 finally brought foreclosure. The last reference to bull baiting in the Birmingham area appeared in a local newspaper (Aris' Birmingham Gazette) in 1839, where it mentioned the absense of bull baiting at the Brierly Hill Wakes.
SOME ANECDOTES & POETRY
Mercurius Politicus, London (1659)
"Their Majesties of Spain have been about a league hence, at the Church of our Lady of Atochia, to give thanks for the conclusion of Peace with France, where Te Deum, in order there to, was Sung with great Solemnity, and all the Grandees of Spain made a stately possession on horseback, being followed by a world of people to make up the public joy. The French also which are here, were present at the ceremonies, which held for three days, with all the demonstrations of jollity. There is to be followed with a notable bull baiting, where the greatest part of Nobility and Gentry of Spain will be present."
Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) - "The diary of Samuel Pepys", 14-08-1666
" with my wife and Mercer to the Beare-Garden, where I have not been, I think, of many years, and saw some good sport of the bull’s tossing of the dogs: one into the very boxes. But it is a very rude and nasty pleasure. "
John Houghton - 'Collection for Improvement of Husbandry and Trade' (1684):
"The bull takes great care to watch his enemy, which is a mastiff dog (commonly used to the sport) with a short nose that his teeth may take the better hold; this dog, if right, will creep upon his belly that he may, if possible, get the bull by the nose; which the bull as carefully strives to defend by laying it close to the ground, where his horns are also ready to do what in them lies to toss the dog; and this is the true sport. But if more dogs than one come at once, or they are cowardly and come under his legs, he will, if he can, stamp their guts out. I believe I have seen a dog tossed by a bull thirty, if not forty foot high; and when they are tossed, either higher or lower, the men above strive to catch them on their shoulders, lest the fall might mischief the dogs. They commonly lay sand about that if they fall upon the ground it may be the easier. Notwithstanding this care a great many dogs are killed, more have their limbs broke, and some hold so fast that, by the bull's swinging them, their teeth are often broken out.... The true courage and art is to hold the bull by the nose 'till he roars, which a courageous bull scorns to do.... This is a sport the English much delight in; and not only the baser sort, but the greatest lords and ladies."
'John Gay (1685-1732) - Trivia' (1716)
"Experienced men, inured to city ways,
Need not the calendar to count their days,
When through the town, with allow and solemn air,
Led by the nostril walks the muzzled bear,
Behind him moves, majestically dull,
The pride of Hockley Hole, the surly bull,
Learn hence the periods of the week to name,
Mondays and thursdays are the days of the game."
John Gay (1685-1732)
"Horse-screaming from the circled crowd,
To the cursed Mastif cries aloud,
Both Hockley-Hole and Mary-Bone,
The combats of my dog have known,
He ne'er like bullies coward-hearted
Attacks in public to be parted,
Think not, rash fool, to share his fame,
Be his, the honour or the shame,
Thus said, they swore and rave like thunder,
They're dragg'd their fasten'd dogs asunder,
While clubs and kicks from ev'ry side,
Rebounded from the Mastiff's hide,
All reaking now with sweat and blood,
Awhile the parted warriors stood,
Then poured upon the meddling foe,
Who worried, howl'd and sprawl'd, below,
He rose, and limping from the fray,
By both sides mangled, sneak'd away..."
Maldon, Essex, 1784
"This is to give notice to all gentlemen bull baiters,
That there is a bull to be baited at Mr Talladay's at the White Hart, at Maldon, for a silver spoon of fourteen shillings value(the dog that runs the best of three heats, to be entitled to the spoon) on Wednesday, Old Christmas Day, the 5th January, and the second best dog to be entitled to half a crown. The Bull to be at the stake at ten o'clock. Dinner on the table at one o'clock."
Bury Post, 1792
"The inhuman and barbarous practice of bull-baiting, which has been suppressed by the vigilance of magistracy in most other towns in the kingdom, is still continued here; to the great peril of the peaceable inhabitants, and to the loss and prejudice of the families of the labouring hand.
This ferocious exercise on Monday last was nearly the cause of loss of life to several individuals, as a girl named Middleditch, about 12 years of age, was tossed by the exasperated animal, and so much hurt, that great apprehensions were entertained for her life: one Burton, a woolcomber, was also most dreadfully and dangerously gored in the thigh; and several other persons were slightly injured, the bull having got loose, and ran through the principal streets of the town, as far as Pakenham, before he was overtaken by his numerous idle pursuers."
Pierce Egan - 'Sporting Anecdotes' (1820)
The bull-bait
"What creature that, so fierce and bold,
that springs and scorns to loose his hold?
His teeth, like saw-hooks meet,
the bleeding victim roars aloud,
while savage yells convulse the crowd,
who shout on shout repeat,
It is the bull-dog, matchless, brave,
Like Britons on the swelling wave,
amidtst the battle's flood,
It's the bull-dog, dauntless hound,
that pins the mourner to the ground,
his nostrills dropping blood,
the stake-bound captive snorts and groans,
while pain and torture rack his bones,
gored both without and in,
one desperate act of strength he tries,
and high in the air the bull-dog flies,
yet toss'd to fight again,
he falls, and scarcely feels the earth
ere innate courage shows its worth,
his eye-balls flashing fire,
again he dares his lusty foe,
again aloft is doom'd to go,
falls, struggles and expire!"
James Butterworth - 'History of Rochdale' (1828)
"On the 8th November, 1920, the battlement of the Old Bridge was partially thrown down, by a great concourse of people who pressed to witness the old English amusement, bull bait, which took place in the bed of the river, by which fatal accident eleven persons lost their lives."
Mercurius Politicus, London (1659)
"Their Majesties of Spain have been about a league hence, at the Church of our Lady of Atochia, to give thanks for the conclusion of Peace with France, where Te Deum, in order there to, was Sung with great Solemnity, and all the Grandees of Spain made a stately possession on horseback, being followed by a world of people to make up the public joy. The French also which are here, were present at the ceremonies, which held for three days, with all the demonstrations of jollity. There is to be followed with a notable bull baiting, where the greatest part of Nobility and Gentry of Spain will be present."
Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) - "The diary of Samuel Pepys", 14-08-1666
" with my wife and Mercer to the Beare-Garden, where I have not been, I think, of many years, and saw some good sport of the bull’s tossing of the dogs: one into the very boxes. But it is a very rude and nasty pleasure. "
John Houghton - 'Collection for Improvement of Husbandry and Trade' (1684):
"The bull takes great care to watch his enemy, which is a mastiff dog (commonly used to the sport) with a short nose that his teeth may take the better hold; this dog, if right, will creep upon his belly that he may, if possible, get the bull by the nose; which the bull as carefully strives to defend by laying it close to the ground, where his horns are also ready to do what in them lies to toss the dog; and this is the true sport. But if more dogs than one come at once, or they are cowardly and come under his legs, he will, if he can, stamp their guts out. I believe I have seen a dog tossed by a bull thirty, if not forty foot high; and when they are tossed, either higher or lower, the men above strive to catch them on their shoulders, lest the fall might mischief the dogs. They commonly lay sand about that if they fall upon the ground it may be the easier. Notwithstanding this care a great many dogs are killed, more have their limbs broke, and some hold so fast that, by the bull's swinging them, their teeth are often broken out.... The true courage and art is to hold the bull by the nose 'till he roars, which a courageous bull scorns to do.... This is a sport the English much delight in; and not only the baser sort, but the greatest lords and ladies."
'John Gay (1685-1732) - Trivia' (1716)
"Experienced men, inured to city ways,
Need not the calendar to count their days,
When through the town, with allow and solemn air,
Led by the nostril walks the muzzled bear,
Behind him moves, majestically dull,
The pride of Hockley Hole, the surly bull,
Learn hence the periods of the week to name,
Mondays and thursdays are the days of the game."
John Gay (1685-1732)
"Horse-screaming from the circled crowd,
To the cursed Mastif cries aloud,
Both Hockley-Hole and Mary-Bone,
The combats of my dog have known,
He ne'er like bullies coward-hearted
Attacks in public to be parted,
Think not, rash fool, to share his fame,
Be his, the honour or the shame,
Thus said, they swore and rave like thunder,
They're dragg'd their fasten'd dogs asunder,
While clubs and kicks from ev'ry side,
Rebounded from the Mastiff's hide,
All reaking now with sweat and blood,
Awhile the parted warriors stood,
Then poured upon the meddling foe,
Who worried, howl'd and sprawl'd, below,
He rose, and limping from the fray,
By both sides mangled, sneak'd away..."
Maldon, Essex, 1784
"This is to give notice to all gentlemen bull baiters,
That there is a bull to be baited at Mr Talladay's at the White Hart, at Maldon, for a silver spoon of fourteen shillings value(the dog that runs the best of three heats, to be entitled to the spoon) on Wednesday, Old Christmas Day, the 5th January, and the second best dog to be entitled to half a crown. The Bull to be at the stake at ten o'clock. Dinner on the table at one o'clock."
Bury Post, 1792
"The inhuman and barbarous practice of bull-baiting, which has been suppressed by the vigilance of magistracy in most other towns in the kingdom, is still continued here; to the great peril of the peaceable inhabitants, and to the loss and prejudice of the families of the labouring hand.
This ferocious exercise on Monday last was nearly the cause of loss of life to several individuals, as a girl named Middleditch, about 12 years of age, was tossed by the exasperated animal, and so much hurt, that great apprehensions were entertained for her life: one Burton, a woolcomber, was also most dreadfully and dangerously gored in the thigh; and several other persons were slightly injured, the bull having got loose, and ran through the principal streets of the town, as far as Pakenham, before he was overtaken by his numerous idle pursuers."
Pierce Egan - 'Sporting Anecdotes' (1820)
The bull-bait
"What creature that, so fierce and bold,
that springs and scorns to loose his hold?
His teeth, like saw-hooks meet,
the bleeding victim roars aloud,
while savage yells convulse the crowd,
who shout on shout repeat,
It is the bull-dog, matchless, brave,
Like Britons on the swelling wave,
amidtst the battle's flood,
It's the bull-dog, dauntless hound,
that pins the mourner to the ground,
his nostrills dropping blood,
the stake-bound captive snorts and groans,
while pain and torture rack his bones,
gored both without and in,
one desperate act of strength he tries,
and high in the air the bull-dog flies,
yet toss'd to fight again,
he falls, and scarcely feels the earth
ere innate courage shows its worth,
his eye-balls flashing fire,
again he dares his lusty foe,
again aloft is doom'd to go,
falls, struggles and expire!"
James Butterworth - 'History of Rochdale' (1828)
"On the 8th November, 1920, the battlement of the Old Bridge was partially thrown down, by a great concourse of people who pressed to witness the old English amusement, bull bait, which took place in the bed of the river, by which fatal accident eleven persons lost their lives."