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After the theatre of animal cruelty that once stood here. For it was here that bears and bulls were pitted against savage English mastiff dogs as an entertainment and sport. Witnesses to this spectacle would regularly leave blood splattered – or worse – as bulls would toss their tormentors high into the air. A plaque that used to be here explained: “On this site was built the Davies Amphitheatre 1662-1682 the last bear-baiting ring of Bankside visited by Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn. To the north from mid 16th century was the Bear Gardens, a bear-baiting ring visited by Queen Elizabeth I and replaced by The Hope Playhouse 1614 – 1656, built for plays and bear-baiting where Ben Jonson’s play ‘Bartholomew Fair’ was first performed.” Dr Matthew Green in London: A Travel Guide Through Time writes: “Some form of animal baiting has been taking place in London since at least the twelfth century. Initially, these baits took place in the open fields but specific references to a Bankside arena appear from the 1540s in official documents and ambassadorial reports.” Explaining its appeal to, among others royalty as well as the working-classes he writes: “In an age with no sense of animal welfare… the sport, with its flying dogs and noble bulls, serves as a visually arresting mini-drama of courage and sacrifice. The fiercest and most valiant beasts emerged as London celebrities.” It was also generally believed that baited meat tasted better.
