Cock-fighting led to breeding, rearing, and training game fowl, and a game cock who slew his opponents was the pride of a whole town or countryside. Vast sums of money were won or lost over the combats of these birds.
When a cock was matched to fight he was put into the care of a trainer to prepare him for battle. His feathers and comb were trimmed and his natural spurs reduced to about half an inch in length, to allow for steel spurs, each about two and a half inches long and with a socket at one end, being fixed on the natural spur of each leg. These artificial spurs were thin and very sharp at the point.
The combat usually took place in a properly prepared cock pit or cock ring which was sunk in the ground, and around this inner circle was an outer one raised a few feet for the benefit of the spectators.
Each cock had a second, or handler, as he was called, whose duty it was to take it into the pit and see that the rules agreed upon were properly carried out.
At the end of each “round” the cocks were separated for a short interval of rest. These fights were often very exciting and every advantage one bird gained over his antagonist brought forth rounds of cheers from his backers. The pluck and endurance of game cocks when fighting is marvellous; they fight to the death and only yield with their last breath.
From “History of Sunderland” by W. C. Mitchell, pub. 1919.
Stan
