Bull Baiting and Cock Fighting
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Bull Baiting Bull baiting was a popular sport in this area until it was banned by Parliament in 1835. A bull was tied to a strong stake with a chin that allowed it limited movement. Dogs were then set on the bull with the intent of biting the bulls nose. Onlyb one dog was allowed to attack at any time. The nose was the most sensitive part of a bull and caused great outrage. Dogs that seized on a bills nose were often tossed off and killed or seriously injured. The sport brought about breeding dogs able to crouch low, thus avoiding the bulls horns, and with great power in their jaws for clamping those bulls. These dogs remain with us today - they are of course Bulldogs.
An 1850 book, The Illustrated London Reading Book, provided the illustration above and the below narrative Of all dogs, none surpass in obstinacy and ferocity the Bull-dog. The head is broad and thick, the lower jaw generally projects so that the under teeth advance beyond the upper, the eyes are scowling, and the whole expression calculated to inspire terror. It is remarkable for the pertinacity with which it maintains its hold of any animal it may have seized, and is, therefore, much used in the barbarous practice of bull-baiting, so common in some countries, and but lately abolished in England. Gambling of the results were very common and baiting could draw a large crowd. One of the local centres was the Bell Inn at Purleigh where occasional bull baiting contests were held. The main centre locally was Maldon where support for bull baiting was very strong and weekly contests were held on Sunday evenings at the town bull stake in Market Square.. Maldon Town records for 1732 include payments of £1 5 shillings to John Hance for a rope and collar and a similar amount to John Payn for keeping the bull rope. By 1784 the baiting had moved to the White Hart Inn where it took place on most Wednesdays.
Cock Fighting Bull baiting took place in other parts of Eastern Essex although Cock Fighting appears to have proved more popular in Burnham. Like bull baiting it was banned by law in 1835 although it continued illegally for some time. A venue for cock fighting took place at the Kings Arms in High Street, Burnham on Crouch with the below advert from 1787.
Cockfighting took place in a enclosed arena where cocks were forced to fight. Birds were fitted with blades on their legs and sharpened beaks to maximise the injuries. There was no escape for a wounded bird but the death of both was common given the ferocity of the fights. Once again serious betting took place on the results. |
