228 BULL-FIGHTS. 



Holinshed, *' with other merry disports ; and, for the 

 diversion of the populace, there was a horse with an 

 ape upon his hack, which highly pleased them, so 

 that they expressed " their inward-conceived joy and 

 delight with shrill shouts and variety of gestures." 



The manner in which these sports were exhihited 

 toward the close of the sixteenth century, is thus de- 

 scrihed by Hentzner, who was present at one of the 

 performances. " There is a place built in the form 

 of a theatre, which serves for baiting of bulls and 

 bears ; they are fastened behind, and then worried 

 by great English bull-dogs ; but not without risk to 

 the dogs, from the horns of the one and the teeth of 

 the other ; and it sometimes happens they are killed 

 on the spot. Fresh ones are immediately supplied 

 in the places of those that are wounded or tired." 



Bull-running at Stamford was another barbarous 

 diversion somewhat different from bull-baiting, and 

 much less known. The traditionary origin of the bull- 

 running at Stamford, and the manner in which it was 

 performed in the seventeenth century, are given by 

 Butcher, in his Survey of that town. " The bull-run- 

 ning is a sport of no pleasure, except to those who de- 

 light in beastliness and mischief ; it is performed just 

 the day six weeks before Christmas. The butchers of 

 the town, at their own charge, against the time pro- 

 vide the wildest bull they can get. This bull over night 

 is led into some stable or barn belonging to the alder- 

 man. The next morning proclamation is made by 



