73 



Perhaps, however, the point that first strikes 

 the reader of these nineteen rules is only six 

 of them apply to cock-fighting itself. Three 

 (Nos. VIII, XV and XVII) apply to the 

 conduct and control of the audience, while the 

 remaining ten rules deal with betting and the 

 quarrels that might arise out of it. This 

 circumstance lends colour to the frequent com- 

 plaints made by the opponents of cocking to 

 the effect that it gave rise to dispute and riot 



COCK-FIGHTING AND DISORDER 



There is ample evidence to prove that in 

 districts where cock-fighting was particularly 

 popular, as in the " Black Country, 1 ' serious 

 troubles occurred. At Wednesbury, in Staf- 

 fordshire, always a great place for the sport, 

 the authorities in 1750 gave public notice that 

 "on account of the many disorders and furious 

 riots " which took place in the alehouses after 

 cock-fighting, any publican who allowed the 

 sport on his premises should lose his licence, 

 and that all cockers caup'ht stirrino- up mischief 



O O I 



or inciting to riot should be whipped at the 

 common whipping-post 



Six years later the Darlaston authorities 

 issued warning that "felonies and disorders'" 



