43 



laid ; but I am tolcl that a man may be 

 damnably bubbled if he is not very sharp " * 



William III (1694-1702) was an ardent 

 cocker. He spent much time at Newmarket, 

 and on wet days the cock-pit was " enclosed 

 by stars and blue ribands " ; which suggests that 

 cocking in the presence of royalty was a function 

 attended by the Court and distinguished visitors 

 in full dress 



It is at this period that the term " Battle 

 Royal " is first employed. It was used to 

 describe the fight when a number of cocks 

 turned into the pit together. The Postman of 

 20/22 April, 1699, thus chronicles such a 

 battle : 



" On 1 8th April, His Majesty hunted and 

 in the afternoon went to the cock-pit where 

 a Battle Royal of 9 cocks together at once 

 upon the pit was fought : most of them were 

 killed and two brothers carried the victory 

 after fighting as long as both could stand by 

 the other " 



The celebrated Tregonwell Frampton, 

 Master of the King's Race Horses and Game- 

 cocks, became a prominent figure about this 

 time. In April, 1698, a match was arranged 



* Misson's Memoir. Ozell's Translation 



