‘Cockfighting Extraordinary’

Despite the best efforts of law enforcement and animal protection societies, organised cockfights continued to take place across England and Wales. Improved transport links, especially the building of railways, meant that, in addition to intercity and inter-county rivalries, some matches took on an international dimension. Those that were raided by the police and inspectors from the RSPCA ended up in the courts and being reported on in the newspapers. In March 1865, a cockfight came off at ‘Jemmy Shaw’s’ Queen’s Head Public house, Windmill Street, London. Thirty-eight men, including several army officers, Captain Augustus Berkeley, whose address was given as the Albion Hotel, Cockspur Street, Colonel Henry Armitage and Captain Robert Goff (sic) from Dublin among them, were charged with various offences for their involvement. Cockers attended from across the country, from various parts of London, from Southampton, Carlisle, Rugby, Tunbridge and St Anne’s. They included a farmer from Cumberland; a greengrocer from Peckham; a licensed victualler from Poleworth, Warwickshire; an Oxford Street jeweller, a Paddington Clerk; a soda water manufacturer, a butcher, carpenter, nail maker, tin man and bookmaker.