Entertainment through the ages

Medieval Bull Baiting

Bull baiting was a popular form of entertainment in the medieval period, though it initially actually began as a public health measure! Over time it transformed into pure spectacle, becoming quite widespread throughout England. Though it has disappeared from modern entertainment, its influence still lingers in one way: the Bulldog breed directly came about from bull baiting. It remains a popular breed today.

Bull Baiting Basics

Bull baiting may seem quite foreign and repulsive to modern sensibilities. Bulls were tethered to a central iron ring that was fixed in the ground. Twelve to fifteen feet of rope or chain allowed them to manoeuvre within a limited radius. Owners would stand outside this radius and let loose attack dogs to "bait" the bull. The goal was to latch onto a vulnerable portion of the bull's body – nose, throat, or dewlap – and either kill or immobilise it. Crowds placed bets on which dog could bring the bull down.

Bull Baiting as Health Measure

Initially, bulls were baited mostly for hygiene. Bull meat was thought to be dense and cold. Bulls needed to be baited before they were slaughtered in order to warm the bulls, tenderizing their meat and making it more easily digestible. Some customers refused to buy bull meat if the animal hadn't been baited. Many communities legally required that bulls be baited prior to slaughter; it was a public health concern. As a result, bull baiting was very common and widespread. It soon transformed from health concern to entertainment.

Development of the Bulldog

As bull baiting became more popular, dog owners tried breeding dogs that would be superior bull baiters. Many times dogs thrown from a bull would break their backs or become otherwise crippled. Bull baiting begat the Bulldog, the special breed of dog with shorter snouts and proportionally larger heads. These features allowed bulldogs to hang on as bulls bucked and twisted, making them more likely to come away uninjured.

Bull Baiting vs. Bullfighting

Bull baiting is distinct from another blood sport, bullfighting. King Alfonso VIII's coronation saw the first historic bullfight in Vera, Logroño, in 1133. The characteristic style of bullfighting with the matador, his cape, and his attendants – oftentimes compared to a dance – did not evolve until the late 1700s. Though they share several common characteristics, bullfighting and bull baiting are distinct in both form and function. While bull baiting began as a health precaution, bullfighting has always been about entertainment. This is why the Spanish Fighting Bull is used, a breed known for its aggressiveness and intelligence. After a bullfight, the bull's meat may be sold as a delicacy, but the intent is the spectacle; the food source is an afterthought. When bull baiting became about the spectacle, the bull was no longer killed. Many times bulls would travel around, participating in bull baiting while their handlers made money off the performance. While bullfighters occasionally spare a bull's life, usually for outstanding behaviour in the ring, the bull is almost always killed at the end.

By the 17th Century, the popularity of bull baiting as a public spectacle began to wane. It was officially outlawed in 1835. Today, thankfully, it remains a relic of the past.