The Royal Pastime of Cock-fighting: The art of breeding, feeding, fighting, and curing cocks of the game

In Short

This seventeenth-century manual is a technical and philosophical guide to the "noble science" of cockfighting. It functions as both a rigorous instructional text—detailing the breeding, feeding, medical care, and physical training required to prepare a bird for the pit—and a passionate defense of the sport as a tool for building military character. By weaving together historical precedent, physical standards, and practical wisdom, the work elevates a brutal pastime into a disciplined art form, framing it as an essential training ground for the virtues of persistence, valor, and strategic foresight.

The Story

The text begins by establishing the pedigree of the sport, tracing its lineage back to antiquity. The author argues that cockfighting is an ancient, honorable, and—crucially—a useful exercise. By connecting the practice to the military training of leaders and the historical habits of valiant ancestors, he creates a narrative where the pit acts as a proving ground for the battlefield. The argument is framed as a moral imperative: just as a monarch might rely on a disciplined soldier, a gentleman must rely on a well-bred, well-trained, and "hard" bird.

The narrative arc moves from this broad, philosophical justification into the granular, day-to-day reality of the "Cock-master." The reader is walked through the entire cycle of a bird’s life, beginning with the careful selection of lineage and the pairing of hens and cocks to ensure offspring that possess both agility and an unyielding spirit. The author warns against the pitfalls of inbreeding and carelessness, detailing the specific requirements for walks—those solitary, idyllic spaces where a bird must be raised to ensure he remains a bold, singular entity rather than a timid, "dunghill" creature.

As the story progresses toward the inevitable day of the match, the focus shifts to the "Feeding"—a precise, almost medical regimen. The author provides detailed instructions for "scouring" the bird, purging his body of impurities to ensure he is light, quick, and winded for the intensity of the fight. He describes the specific diet of bread and herbs, the necessity of sparring to build muscle, and the importance of a proper roost to protect the bird’s feet and bill. This is not merely a task for a laborer; it is a delicate responsibility that demands the master’s personal attention to prevent the bird from being "marred" by incompetent handlers.

Finally, the narrative reaches the pit itself. The author describes the mechanics of combat, the way a master must observe the flow of battle, and the tragic, inevitable necessity of caring for the "valiant cripples" who survive. He provides specific, almost alchemical, recipes for healing wounds, emphasizing that even a bird that has been "cut and mangled" can, through proper care, be recovered. The work concludes with a series of poems and firsthand accounts of matches, reinforcing the idea that the spectacle is not merely a gambling event, but a profound display of glory. Even when a bird falls, the narrative insists that the struggle itself—the act of fighting until the final drop of blood—is the ultimate expression of the "generous soul."

How It Unfolds

The pedigree of the sport The author roots cockfighting in the religious and military traditions of the ancient world, citing Hebrew, Greek, and Roman authorities. He characterizes the bird as a divine symbol of glory, courage, and natural military discipline.

The selection of lineage The guide shifts to the practical science of breeding, where success is predicated on crossing strains to avoid the weakness of kin. The author outlines the ideal physical form, focusing on the strength of the beak, the clarity of the eye, and the "deadly" nature of the legs.

The training of the bird Once bred, the bird is sent to a remote "walk" to develop in solitude, protected from the corrupting influence of too many hens. The author provides a meticulous, week-by-week diet and exercise schedule designed to strip away excess weight and sharpen the bird’s reflexes.

The mechanics of the match The text details the sensory experience of the pit, from the betting rituals to the tactical movements of the combatants. The author emphasizes that a truly great bird is defined by "hardness"—the ability to withstand injury and strike back even when seemingly defeated.

The aftermath and recovery The final movement focuses on the duty of the master to the wounded, offering herbal remedies and surgical advice for healing. It leaves the reader with a final, poetic vision of the sport as a reflection of life, where valor is the only currency that truly matters.

The People

The central figure is the Cock-master, a man of "heroic and truly generous soul" who views the sport as a sacred duty. He is defined by his patience, his commitment to discipline, and his refusal to leave his bird’s well-being to "mercenary feeders." He stands in opposition to the "effeminate" gentleman who wastes his time on drinking or gambling, viewing his own involvement in the pit as a form of moral and physical refinement.

The Game Cock himself is treated as a personage of high standing. He is not merely an animal, but a "Centinel" and a "Champion," possessing a natural understanding of glory. His wants are simple—a clear, healthy environment and the opportunity to prove his mettle—but he is constantly beset by the obstacles of poor breeding, bad diet, and improper handling. He ends the work either as a hero, having "hewn it out in blood to the last drop," or as a "valiant cripple" who tests the master’s capacity for mercy and care.

Finally, the Targeted Reader—the "Gentleman Cocker"—is the silent protagonist. He is someone who must be corrected for his ignorance and urged to move beyond the superficiality of color or size. He is invited to transcend his own base instincts and learn the "hidden mysteries" of the sport, ultimately becoming a man who, like the bird he raises, is prepared for both peace and war.

In Its Own Voice

The best and bravest Men have ever had a high Esteem and Value for the Fighting Cock, by reason of the Warlike Pleasure which he affords to Couragious Men, who joy in nothing more then to see him hew it out in Blood to the last drop.

(The author justifies the visceral nature of the sport by linking the birds' ferocity to the character of noble men.)

For look how many above six your Cock walks with, so many Mates has he too many; and, indeed, had he but two or three it’s enough, and the Walk would be the better.

(This practical advice illustrates the author’s meticulous attention to the bird’s environment, suggesting that physical health is inextricably tied to his domestic management.)

What It's Really About

At its heart, this book is an argument for the cultivation of grit. The author is deeply concerned with the perceived decline of vigor in his society, and he presents the fighting cock as a living metaphor for the disciplined, masculine spirit. The central question is not about the sport itself, but about how a man should live: should he succumb to "effeminate" vices, or should he dedicate himself to the "noble science" of preparing for struggle? It advocates for a life of purpose and rigorous self-denial, suggesting that by mastering the nature of the bird, a man masters the nature of his own resolve. It is a treatise on the value of standing firm against overwhelming odds.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of animal husbandry or the evolution of "gentlemanly" pursuits will find this a fascinating, if challenging, artifact. Its warmth comes from the author’s genuine, almost tender devotion to the health and performance of the birds; he speaks of them with the reverence usually reserved for elite athletes or soldiers. The prose is archaic and densely packed with technical jargon, which creates a rich, textured experience for those willing to parse the seventeenth-century syntax.

However, a modern reader must be prepared for the intensity of the subject matter. The author’s unblinking descriptions of "bloody rounds" and the surgical procedures used to treat injured birds are presented with a matter-of-fact brutality that can be jarring. There is no attempt to sanitize the sport; the book is a product of its time, fully endorsing a practice that is now widely condemned. Yet, for the reader who can navigate these period attitudes, it offers an unfiltered look at a culture that equated the violence of the pit with the highest virtues of courage and honor. It remains a singular, intense, and deeply strange window into a past where the line between the farmyard and the battlefield was much thinner than it is today.