Pepys
frequently speaks of dense crowds which assembled to witness this
form of cruelty, which he designates as good sport; and Evelyn
speaks of a gallant steed that, under the pretence that he had
killed a man, was baited by dogs, but fought so hard for his life
"the fiercest of them could not fasten on him till he was run
through with swords." Not only bull and bear baiting, cock and
dog fighting were encouraged, but prize combats between man and
man were regarded as sources of great diversion. Pepys gives a
vivid picture of a furious encounter he, in common with a great
and excited crowd, witnessed at the bear-garden stairs, at
Bankside, between a butcher and a waterman. "The former," says
he, "had the better all along, till by-and-by the latter dropped
his sword out of his hand; and the butcher, whether not seeing
his sword dropped I know not, but did give him a cut over the
wrist, so as he was disabled to fight any longer. But Lord! to
see how in a minute the whole stage was full of watermen to
revenge the foul play, and the butchers to defend their fellow,
though most blamed him; and then they all fell to it to knocking
down and cutting many on each side. It was pleasant to see, but
that I stood in the pit, and feared that in the tumult I might
get some hurt."
Among the more healthy sports which obtained during the reign
were horse-racing, tennis, and bowling. The monarch had, at vast
expense, built a house and stables at Newmarket, where he and his
court regularly repaired, to witness racing.
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