57 



Mr. Poole, each "showing" 21 cocks for 

 6 guineas a battle, and 20 guineas the odd ; 

 won by Mr. Steatham ten battles to six. These 

 two gentlemen at the same time (first week in 

 April, 1727) fought seven pairs of shake-bags 

 for 10 guineas the battle and 20 guineas the 

 odd ; won by Mr. Poole four battles to three 



Messrs. Steatham and Poole fought a return 

 match at Leek in Staffordshire, in May, 

 21 cocks a side, for 6 guineas and 20 guineas ; 

 won by Mr. Poole nine battles to five. 

 Seven pairs of shake-bags were also pitted, 

 Mr. Steatham winning four to three. They 

 further agreed to fight each other once at 

 Weston and once at Leeke every year for the 

 next seven years, "every time showing 21 

 match or battle cocks, and to fight seven 

 pairs of shake-bags, and for the same sum " 



Messrs. Gumzere and Fridenberg arranged 

 to fio-ht a series of mains twice a year for five 



o J 



years, each to show 41 cocks, 6 guineas 

 a battle and 100 guineas the main. The record 

 of these ten matches is not complete ; the last 

 two were fought in 1750 at the Old Red Lion 

 pit at the back of Gray's Inn 



Matches between counties were an institution; 

 Cheshire fought Lancashire, 31 cocks a side 

 for 5 guineas and 50 guineas ; frequently 



