The George Tap in Lion Street was at one time a centre of local cockfighting, although it was not the only cockfighting pub in Rye. To give one of several examples – in 1769 the Kentish Gazette advertised a cockfight organised by Abraham Smith: “at the George Inn, Rye; the Bull’s Head, Battle and the Swan Inn, Hastings”. This was a tournament circulating between these three inns, with 11 cocks in each of two teams.
Cockfighting had a very strong appeal among the gambling fraternity, and the prize money, contributed by the owners of the fighting cocks, was very high. The stakes for this particular tournament were four guineas for each of 10 fights (£2,540 today) and 10 guineas (£680 today) “for the final battle”. We can only imagine the frenzy of activity at the George as customers placed their bets in the parlour or in the taproom before rushing off to view the disturbing spectacle.
As was common in those days, each of these three venues would have had their own cockpit, nearly always located outside. In the case of the George Tap, the cockpit was almost certainly located in the tap courtyard, although we cannot rule out a cockpit inside the building.
Cockfighting remained legal until 1835 when it was banned as a cruel blood sport. But in all probability it continued in the town after it was banned and “lookouts” would have been posted at each end of Lion Street.
The Encyclopaedia Britannica (2008) states that “the sport was popular in ancient times in China, Persia and elsewhere and was established in ancient Greece in 500 BC. For a long time the Romans affected to despise this Greek diversion, but ended up adopting it so enthusiastically themselves that its devotees often spent their whole patrimony betting at the side of the pit.” It was Julius Caesar who introduced cockfighting into Britain and according to the RSPCA it still takes place here but has declined in recent years.
The Pubs of Rye 1750-1950 by David Russell is available in Rye from the Heritage Centre, Strand Quay; Adams, 9 High Street; The Queen Adelaide, 23 Ferry Road, or at www.hastingspubhistory.com. Other books by David Russell are The Pubs of Hastings & St Leonards, The Swan Hastings and Register of Licensees for Hastings & St Leonards.
