The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-29
DECLINE IN cocK-FIGHTrNG.
1t Was Once the Popular Sport in
Wales.


1t is not so very long ago, says the
Archaeological, that cock fighting ceased
to be one of the most popular pastimes of
the Welsh people. Cockpits were once
common in most villages, and although
they are now pretty nearly all level with
the surrounding ground, the natives can
still point out the sites. In several church
yards their remains can be traced, and
old men, speaking of the days of their
fathers, can recount tales of this cruel
sport in which their fathers took much
delight. l have obtained much iHforma-
ton from the aged-several of them are
now nc longer with us-of these sports,
which came down from the olden times in
the present century.
Sunday, being II holiday, was usually
devoted in part, to the exercise of vari-
Gus games in the church yards. The
north side was considered less holy than
the other portions of the churchyard, and
it was in that part that the cock pits were
situated and it is here that they are still
traceable. So passionately fond OF wit
Messing these cruel onslaughts were the
people that theyr.tocked for miles around
to witness q cooking main. | have been
told in connection with Llanerfyl parish,
which is situated in the recess of the
Montgomershire hills, and where, to this
day, Welsh is the exclusive language of
the people, that IN arrangement had been
made by the owners of birds to hold II
cock fight after church services A man
carried his bird with him to the village
and placed it in safe keeping while he at
tended divine services at the parish
church, but before the service was over
lad rushed into the church and shouted:
"Fool, come out; thy cock is even now
in the pit ~
The man Immediately got up, and it
need hardly be said that others, too, left
their seats and went to the place of bat
tie, which was near at hand. Such IL
stampede was not uncommon on these oc-
casions. Elias Williams, of Bronydd,
Llanllechid, Carnarvonshire, farmer,
told me of an event similar to the proceed
ing one ut Llanerfyl. This took place ut
the end of the eighteenth century, or the
beginning OF the present century.
y football match had been arranged to
take place on Il certain Sunday on hill
midway between Llanbedr and Llanllc-
child On the day fixed upon it raned,
and although the Llanlcchid young men
kept their appointment their opponents
failed to appear. The following Sunday
was lair, but rs no special arrangements
had been made for that day IL few only of
the Llanllcehd football PLAYERS went to
the hill, but the Ilaubedrites appeared in
full force.
The game commenced, but the few
could not hold their own against the enc
my. In their distress they dispatched one
OF their young men to the village church,
which was goodly way of, to bring as
sistance. The messenger rushed over
walls and marshes, and heated and cx-
hausted, ran into the church ana shouting
out that the Llanbedr boys were kicking
the ball before them to the parish, turned
hillwards again. At his words the male
portion of the congregation got up as one
man, and, leaving the parson and women
| and children to continue their prayers,
they also made for the hills. They came
upon the victors, who were sportively
kicking the ball toward their home. But
| in no time the ball was turned in the con-
trary direction, and the day ended in a
glorious victory for the Lllanllechid
| braves.