Bull Running in Britain

Bull running as a sport is mostly associated with the city of Pamplona, in northern Spain. But until the 19th century, Britain had a similar thirst for blood sport. The first documented bull running event in the British Isles took place in 1389 in the town of Stamford, in Lincolnshire. In a document recovered from the “Gild of St. Martin”, the event was describes as thus: on the feast of St. Martin, this gild, by custom beyond reach of memory, has a bull; which bull is hunted [not baited] by dogs, and then sold; whereupon the bretheren and sisteren sit down to feast. Stamford Bull-Running, artist unknown. Circa 1800. Another detailed account comes from “ The Survey and Antiquitie of the Towne ” published in 1646: The Butchers of the Town at their own charge ...provide the wildest Bull they can get, this Bull over night is had in to some Stable or Barne belonging to the Alderman, the next morning proclamation is made by the common Bell-man of the Town.. .that each one shut up their shops-doores and gates.. .That none have any Iron upon their Bull-clubs or other staffe which they pursue the Bull with. Which proclamation made and the Gates all shut up, the Bull is turned out of the Aldermans house, and then hivie, skivie, tag and rag, Men, Women and children of all sorts and sizes, with all the Dogs in the Town promiscuously running after him with their Bull-clubs spattering dirt in each others faces that one would think them to be so many Furies started out of Hell. The running took place on the 13th of November. At around quarter to eleven, all shops were closed and boarded up to prevent damage. Streets were barricaded with carts and wagons. The bull was then released through the streets, baited by the cheering of the crowd, and chased by men through the main street and down to Bull-meadow or into the River Welland. The bull was tormented throughout the day before it was caught, killed and butchered. The meat was distributed to the poor.