The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-21
OLD CHURcHyARDs IN WALES.
Cock-Fighting Was Sometimes In
dulged In Within Their Pre-
cfncts.

cincts.
Archaeological.
1t is not so very long ago since cock
nghting ceased to be one of the most
popular pastimes Of the Welsh people.
Cockp1ts were once common in most
villages, but although they are now
pretty nearly all level with the sur
rounding ground, the natives can still
point out their sites. In several church
yards their remains can be traced. and
cid men, speaking of the days of their
fathers, can recount tales of these cruel
sports in which their fathers took i'm
mense delight. I have obtained much
information from the aged-several of
them are now no longer with us-of
these sports, which came down from
the olden times in the present century.
sunday, being holiday, was usually
devoted, in part, to the exercise of var
ious games in the churchyards. The
north side was considered less holy
than the other portions of the church.
yard, and it was in that part that the
cockpits were situated and it is here
that they are still traceable. So pas
siOnately fond of witnessing these
cruel onslaughts were the people, that
they f1ocked for miles around to wit
ness main. 1 have been told in con-
nection with Llanerfyl parish, which Is
situated in the recesses of the Mont
gomeryshire hills, and where, to this
day, Welsh Is the exclusive language
Of the people, that an arrangement had
been made by the owners of birds to
hold cock fight after church service
A man carried his bird with him to the
village and placed 1t in safe keeping
while he attended divine service in the
parish church. but before the service
was over a lad rushed into the church
and shouted out, Fool, come out; thy
cock is even now in the pitt The man
Immediately got up, and, sit need hardly
be said, others, too, left their seats and
went to the place Of battle, which was
close at hand.
Such stampede was not uncom-
mon on these occasions. Elias Will
Jams, of Bronydd, Llanllechid, Carnar-
vonshire, farmer, told me of an event
similar to the preceding one at Llaner-
fyl. This took place at the end of the
eighteenth century or the beginning Of
the present century. A football match
had been arranged to take place on a
certain Sunday on a hill midway be-
the day fixed upon 1t rained, and
though the Llanllechid young
men kept their appointment, their
opponents failed to appear. The
following Sunday was fair, but
as no special arrangement had
been made for that day. a few only of
the Llanllechid football players went
to the hill, but the Llanbedrites ap-
peared in full force. The game COM
menced, but the few could not hold
their own against the enemy. In their
distress they dispatched one of their
young men to the parish church, which
was a goodly way off. to bring assist
ance. The messenger rushed over walls
and marshes, and, heated and exhaust
ed, ran into the church. and, shouting
out that the Llanbedr boys had come
and 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 prapers, they
also made for the hill. They came
upon the victors. who were sportively
kicking the ball toward their home
But In no time the ball was turned in
the contrary direction andEthe day end
ed in glorious victory for. the Llanl-
lechid braves. az.