Reasons for Designation
Cockpits are the arenas in which cockfighting took place. The sport was a
popular pastime at all levels of society during the 17th and 18th centuries,
and examples of cockpits have been recorded from the 12th century until the
sport was declared illegal in 1849. Betting on the outcome of a contest
provided the impetus to construct specialised buildings for the sport, usually
in the cellars or gardens of public houses, or in the gardens of the local
aristocracy. After the activity was banned, major cockpits appeared in remote
locations away from the eyes of the law.
The arena takes the form of a circular hollow, or a raised bank of raked
seating or standing room, usually about 30m in diameter, with a sunken floor
and a table in the centre. The arena was often temporary, but permanent
examples survive with the raised banks, and even the tables in the cases where
these were made of stone. As garden features they continued in use as
convenient picnic areas. Raised on these banks there was often a wooden or
stone-built circular tower within which there were galleries for the
spectators. These were roofed against the weather. Cockpits were originally
common features both in towns and in the countryside. Relatively few were
built of enduring materials, however, and the few well-preserved examples that
survive intact are likely to be nationally important.
Details
The monument includes the remains of two embanked enclosures which were
constructed as cockfighting pits. The date of their construction is possibly
contemporary with the building of the present hall, which dates to the 17th
century.
The site consists of two interconnected arenas. The western arena floor is 8m
across surrounded by a bank 8m wide at the base constructed of sandstone
rubble and earth, standing up to 1.75m high. It is entered by a gap on the
western side 1.5m wide, and on its eastern side another gap 1m wide leads to
the second floor. This floor is 6m across with a surrounding bank 6m wide at
the base and attached to the first bank, forming a figure `8' plan for the
whole.
In the centre of each arena floor is a dressed stone pedestal which stood 0.6m
high and supported a stone table on which the birds were matched for sport.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
30377
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
