Conclusion

This book has traced the history of cockfighting from the days of Roman settlement in Britain to the early modern period. It has examined the history without passing judgement from a contemporary perspective on relative truths or moral judgements and tried to set beliefs and practices within the context of their time. What is sought is a reliable, realistic and honest account of the past. To this end, it has drawn on a wide range of primary sources including Biblical texts, memoirs, diaries, private papers, legal and official documents, parliamentary orders, local histories, newspapers and account books. Secondary sources include an array of books, pamphlets and articles on historical matters, some dealing with topics broad in place and time, others focussing on a brief moment of time on a topic of local significance. Academic books and journal articles on relevant subject matter include recent scholarship from different disciplines, which, apart from history, include archaeology, philosophy and ethics. This thorough exploration of beliefs and practices has provided new insights into cockfighting and the development of the relationship between animals and man within different time periods and cultural contexts.