stkn05
Cock Fighting
Black Lion Hotel, Cockpit
54.563054, -1.312224
Stockton
Opened:
c1720s
Closed:
Unknown
Redeveloped
Condition:
Home Teams/Clubs:
Last Updated:
6 Nov 2023
HER Description
NEHL - Cock fighting is known to have taken place at the Black Lion Hotel from at least the 1720s. A piece in the Newcastle Courant of 11/12/1725 states "On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the 27th, 28th and 29th, at the House of Mr Benjamin Scafe, at the Black Lion in Stockton, are three handsome plates, to be fought by the Cocks of 16 gentlemen who are subscribers to the fame; fighting each Day 16 Cocks, which said cocks are to fight their battles two by two".
There was an extensive yard at the rear of the hotel as shown on mid 19th century Ordnance Survey maps. As a result, it is likely the fights took place here. The Black Lion was demolished in the 60s or 70s for wider commercial development.
The High Street as surveyed in 1855.
The Black Lion can be seen on the right near the Vane Arms hotel. These buildings all date from at least the mid 19th century. This isn't likely to the the original Black Lion from the 1720s. Source: Darlington and Stockton Times
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The historic layout of Stockton High Street lays bare the long and winding yards behind the inns and hotel on the Market Place. It is here cock fighting will have took place. Source: Historic England. Aerofilms Collection Historic England Photograph: EPW010140 flown 01/04/1924
Historic Environment Records
Durham/Northumberland: Keys to the Past
Tyne and Wear: Sitelines
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