18th century cockpit, Stirton
Historical Environment Record No:
MYD3994
Parish:
Stirton with Thorlby
OS Grid Reference:
Dale:
Description
18th century cockpit, Stirton MYD3994 (c) YDNPA, 2023
Reputed site of an 18th century cockpit partly enclosed by an earthen bank. Pairs of cockerels were pitted against each other within the cockpit and they would often fight to the death. Rivalry between villages reached a peak at such contests. Cockfighting spurs have been found on the site in recent years. These steel spikes were attached using leather straps to the legs of the fighting birds to increase the viciousness of the attack. To the west of the village lies Cock Hill.