1066 Invasion Sparks Bear Baiting
Remains found in Colchester and Carlisle reveal brown bears were imported from Europe to fuel the brutal practice
A new study has found that bear baiting, a brutal practice where dogs are set on tethered bears, became more common in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The research, conducted by Cardiff University and the University of Nottingham, combined archaeological analysis of bear bones and archival records to show the prevalence of bear baiting in England and northern France during medieval times.
The study found that brown bears were imported into England from Europe after the Norman Conquest, with remains discovered in English towns such as Colchester and Carlisle. This suggests that the practice of bear baiting was not only widespread but also involved the importation of live bears from the continent.
The researchers, including Dr. Liam Lewis from Cardiff University's School of Global Humanities, analyzed literary, archival, archaeological, and visual evidence to conclude that bear baiting was an established activity in England by the twelfth century. The lack of bear remains from live animals in England prior to the Norman Conquest, and their appearance in London and North Yorkshire immediately afterward, supports the theory that there was an increase in the importation of live bears to England after 1066.
## Why it matters The study provides new insights into the history of bear baiting in England, a practice that was previously thought to have been limited to the Elizabethan era. The findings show that bear baiting was a widespread and established activity in medieval England, with roots dating back to the Norman Conquest. This research highlights the complex and often brutal relationship between humans and animals in the past, and provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and social practices of medieval England.
The discovery of bear remains in English towns and the analysis of archival records and literary evidence have shed new light on the history of bear baiting in England. The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of the social and cultural context of medieval England, and demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary research in uncovering the complexities of the past.
