Cock-Fighting

Sport popular in the East from time immemorial. The Romans introduced it into all the provinces of the empire, and in w. Europe it flourished till modern times, in spite of opposition. In England it was prohibited by Edward III. 1369, Henry VIII., Cromwell 1659, and finally 1849. Under Elizabeth and James I. the cock-pit was as fashionable as the bear-garden, and the Merry Monarch" built the cock-pit at White hall. Besides Greek vases, Pompeian wall-paintings, and engraved gems, art has preserved this sport in two famous pictures by Hogarth and Gerome.