The Cockpit is shown on Ordnance Survey first edition next to Canal House. Cock-fighting was a popular pastime throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was often referred to as the "Royal Sport". The pursuit had a number of notable folloers including the Duke of Cleveland and Earl of Northumberland. Contests were advertised as "Gentlemen's Subscription Mains" but the "sport" was actually popular with all classes. Established rural cock-pits were often no more than an uncovered earthwork, they were generally located in or near to villages. This feature is about 400m away from Grindon village. The pis consisted of a central fighting platform, 2.5m or more in diameter, surrounded by a shallow ditch and external bank. During the contest low boards were put on the platform to contain the birds. Three classes of birds were normally used - stags which were under one year old, cocks which were older, and blinkards or one-eyed veterans. Birds who refused to fight were known as "fugies" or "hamies". Cock-fighting became a well publicised and financially well-backed "sport". As well as the local venues, cock-fighting also took place at local race meetings, usually in the morning, followed by the horse racing in the afternoon. Events were advertised in the local press, such as the Newcastle Courant. Prizes were normally in the region of 10-20 Guineas, however there were occasions when they could be as much as 500 Guineas. Sometimes the prizes for cock-fighting were of greater value than the awards for the local horse races. By the early nineteenth century opposition against the barbarity of cock-fighting was increasing, due to improved education and a religious revival which exerted moral pressures on society. Many of the local gentry turned to other pastimes, such as fox hunting, which at the time was more politically and socially acceptable. The Cruelty to Animals Act of 1849 made cock-fighting illegal.
SITEASS
Cock-fighting was a popular pastime throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was often referred to as the "Royal Sport". The pursuit had a number of notable folloers including the Duke of Cleveland and Earl of Northumberland. Contests were advertised as "Gentlemen's Subscription Mains" but the "sport" was actually popular with all classes. Established rural cock-pits were often no more than an uncovered earthwork, they were generally located in or near to villages. This feature is about 400m away from Grindon village. The pits consisted of a central fighting platform, 2.5m or more in diameter, surrounded by a shallow ditch and external bank. During the contest low boards were put on the platform to contain the birds. Three classes of birds were normally used - stags which were under one year old, cocks which were older, and blinkards or one-eyed veterans. Birds who refused to fight were known as "fugies" or "hamies". Cock-fighting became a well publicised and financially well-backed "sport". As well as the local venues, cock-fighting also took place at local race meetings, usually in the morning, followed by the horse racing in the afternoon. Events were advertised in the local press, such as the Newcastle Courant. Prizes were normally in the region of 10-20 Guineas, however there were occasions when they could be as much as 500 Guineas. Sometimes the prizes for cock-fighting were of greater value than the awards for the local horse races. By the early nineteenth century opposition against the barbarity of cock-fighting was increasing, due to improved education and a religious revival which exerted moral pressures on society. Many of the local gentry turned to other pastimes, such as fox hunting, which at the time was more politically and socially acceptable. The Cruelty to Animals Act of 1849 made cock-fighting illegal.
Site Type: Broad
Baiting Place
SITEDESC
The Cockpit is shown on Ordnance Survey first edition next to Canal House. The pit appears to be c.12m across, roughly circular and surrounded by a bank, perhaps slightly terraced into the slope. Its location on a shallow hillside is also indicative of its function as a cockput as like with other known examples it would permit a large crowd to view the fight. George Jobey, in an article in AA 1992, refers to a cockfight on the site 'to the west of Barnes Park' in reference to an advert in the Tyne Mercury 5th May 1813.
Site Name
The Cockpit
Site Type: Specific
Cockpit
HER Number
2909
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2909 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 6 inch scale, Durham 14; George Jobey, 1992, Cock-fighting in Northumberland and Durham during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Archaeologia Aeliana, Series 5, Vol XX, pp 1-21; P. Egan, 1832, Newcastle may challenge the world for cocking in Book of Sports; Pearson, Lynn, 2010, Played in Tyne and Wear - Charting the heritage of people at play, p 128-129; Archaeo-Environment Ltd., 2008, Proposed relocated council depot at Ettrick Grove to the west of Barnes Park - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2015
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
01
District
Sunderland
Easting
437590
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MONTH1
8
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
556080
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Sunderland
Description
This quarry is marked as ‘Old’ on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, so was probably out of use by 1856.
Site Type: Broad
Mineral Extraction Site
SITEDESC
Quarry, marked as Old on the 1st edition OS mapping, so was probably out of use by 1856.
Site Name
Sunderland, Quarry
Site Type: Specific
Quarry
HER Number
2908
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2908 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 6 inch scale, Durham14
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
2833
DAY1
01
District
Sunderland
Easting
437140
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MONTH1
8
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
555940
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Sunderland
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows the position of the Arch Engine on the Lambton Wagonway (HER ref. 2833).
Site Type: Broad
Machinery
SITEDESC
Arch Engine on the Lambton Wagonway, (SMR 2833).
Site Name
Sunderland, Arch Engine
Site Type: Specific
Arch Engine
HER Number
2907
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2907 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 6 inch scale, Durham14
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
2833
DAY1
01
District
Sunderland
Easting
436330
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MONTH1
8
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
555230
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Grindon
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows the position of the Grindon Engine and Reservoir on the Lambton Wagonway (HER ref. 2833).
Site Type: Broad
Machinery
SITEDESC
Grindon Engine and Reservoir on the Lambton Wagonway, (SMR 2833).
Site Name
Grindon, Grindon Engine
Site Type: Specific
Engine
HER Number
2906
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2906 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 6 inch scale, Durham14
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
01
District
Sunderland
Easting
436140
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MONTH1
8
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
555990
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Grindon
Description
A Sandstone Quarry is marked as ‘Old’ on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, so was probably out of use by 1856.
Site Type: Broad
Mineral Extraction Site
SITEDESC
A Sandstone Quarry, marked as Old on the 1st edition OS mapping, so probably out of use by 1856.
Site Name
Grindon, Quarry
Site Type: Specific
Sandstone Quarry
HER Number
2905
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2905 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 6 inch scale, Durham14
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
439580
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
556800
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Bishopwearmouth
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows a Ropery and Rope Walk at this location.
Site Type: Broad
Rope Manufacturing Site
SITEDESC
Ropery and Rope Walk.
Site Name
Bishopwearmouth, Ropery
Site Type: Specific
Ropery
HER Number
2904
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2904 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 8
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
25
DAY2
21
District
Sunderland
Easting
440650
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MONTH1
7
MONTH2
12
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
556680
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Bishopwearmouth
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows Brown's Patent Ropery. Hendon ropery and rope walks are also marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map.
Site Type: Broad
Rope Manufacturing Site
SITEDESC
Brown's Patent Ropery. Hendon ropery and rope walks are also marked on the 1sr edition OS mapping.
Site Name
Brown's Patent Ropery
Site Type: Specific
Ropery
HER Number
2903
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2903 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 8
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2001
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
440010
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
556630
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Bishopwearmouth
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows a Rope Walk, next to Wellington Street.
SITEASS
Ropes were made by hand in ropewalks in standard lengths of 120 fathoms (720 feet). The ropewalk had to be straight and around 1320 feet long. The simple equipment consisted of two frames, one at each end of the ropewalk. The stationary frame (jack) had hooks on it which were revolved by a handle. Yarn was attached to each hook and to the other frame (traveller) which was mounted on a trolley. The rope maker held a circular hardwood block (top) between the strands near the traveller. The top had three grooves with a strand slotted into each. He walked slowly towards the jack pushing the top along and the rope formed itself behind the top. Before the invention of synthetic fibres, ropes were made from cotton, flax, hemp, jute, coir, manila and sisal. Hemp ropes were used in colleries until about 1840 when Andrew Smith patented the iron stranded wire rope. Rope making began to be mechanised in the late C18 (William Jones, 1996, Dictionary of Industrial Archaeology).
Site Type: Broad
Rope Manufacturing Site
SITEDESC
Rope Walk, next to Wellington Street.
Site Name
Bishopwearmouth, Rope Walk
Site Type: Specific
Ropewalk
HER Number
2901
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2901 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 8
YEAR1
1994
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
439810
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
556680
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Bishopwearmouth
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows two Rope Walks within the same field.
SITEASS
Ropes were made by hand in ropewalks in standard lengths of 120 fathoms (720 feet). The ropewalk had to be straight and around 1320 feet long. The simple equipment consisted of two frames, one at each end of the ropewalk. The stationary frame (jack) had hooks on it which were revolved by a handle. Yarn was attached to each hook and to the other frame (traveller) which was mounted on a trolley. The rope maker held a circular hardwood block (top) between the strands near the traveller. The top had three grooves with a strand slotted into each. He walked slowly towards the jack pushing the top along and the rope formed itself behind the top. Before the invention of synthetic fibres, ropes were made from cotton, flax, hemp, jute, coir, manila and sisal. Hemp ropes were used in colleries until about 1840 when Andrew Smith patented the iron stranded wire rope. Rope making began to be mechanised in the late C18 (William Jones, 1996, Dictionary of Industrial Archaeology).
Site Type: Broad
Rope Manufacturing Site
SITEDESC
Two Rope Walks within the same field.
Site Name
Bishopwearmouth, Rope Walks
Site Type: Specific
Ropewalk
HER Number
2900
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2900 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 8
YEAR1
1994
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
2659
DAY1
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
439690
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
556610
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Bishopwearmouth
Description
Sunderland Station lies on a short spur of the North Eastern Railway Penshaw Branch (HER ref. 2659).
Site Type: Broad
Railway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Sunderland Station on a short spur of the North Eastern Railway Penshaw Branch, (HER 2659). Opened 1853. Closed 1879 when Central Station (HER 9692) opened.
Site Name
Sunderland, Burdon Road, Sunderland Station
Site Type: Specific
Railway Station
HER Number
2899
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2899 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 8; http://openplaques.org/plaques/1362