[MR] Wikipedia: Tutbury Bull Run

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Yesterday I posted a piece on the Red Lion Theatre, mentioning its eventual
use as a dog-fighting arena. Coincidentally, today Wikipedia's "Did you
Know?" section has mention of another English bloodsport, the Tutbury Bull
Run.

The bull run was part of the Tutbury Court of Minstrels, held at the named
town in Staffordshire from at least the 14th century. The Court of
Minstrels was held annually to regulate traveling minstrels from
Staffordshire and the surrounding area. The bull run was part of the
entertainment, eventually becoming the main event. The bull run is first
mentioned in 1414, with a claim that it dates to 1377, but it actually may
be quite older.

After a bull was enraged by having a pepper stuffed up its nose and other
indignities, it was set loose to be pursued by the minstrels. Whoever
caught the bull was rewarded with ownership, or could elect 40 pence
instead. Then the bull was cruelly baited to death by dogs, and roasted as
part of a general feast. The tradition continued until 1778, when it had
degenerated into a drunken melee and was banned.

Here is more about the Bull Run:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutbury_bull_run .

This shocking animal cruelty was not uncommon in middle-ages England, and
other places as well. In Elizabethan England, bull-baiting, bear-baiting,
dog-fighting, and ratting were popular entertainments, and could be big
business. Bull and bear rings were common in Southwark in the area noted
for its theatres such as the famed Globe, as well as for even less savory
activities such as prostitution. Such bloodsports continued to be popular
until most were banned under the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835.

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆