Thursday, 26 January 2023
Nantwich is renowned for many things, from its medieval timbered buildings to its cheeses and clocks. Yet few people know about the town’s wild past when bears roamed the streets during the sixteenth century –until now, that is.
A research project at the 糖心原创 has revealed that it was once commonplace for bears to be kept in the town’s local pub, where they were used for sporting entertainment. The revelation came to light during an episode of Channel 5’s ‘No Place Like Home’ when Dr Liam Lewis, Research Fellow in Animal History, met actor and comedian Ben Miller. The star was born in Nantwich and was revisiting the town to learn more about its past.
Dr Lewis explained that, during the Early Modern period, bears travelled around the country to fight in town squares and baiting arenas. In 1583, a great fire swept through Nantwich. As the inhabitants of the town tried to put out the fire, the residents of the Bear Inn released bears into the streets—presumably because they were too precious and expensive to leave and risk them perishing in the fire.
Ben was surprised to hear that there were once bears running through the streets that he ran through as a young child. Bear baiting was, by modern standards, a horrible industry, but in Elizabethan England it rivalled even the theatres. It puts the quote, 鈥楨xit, pursued by a bear...鈥� from Shakespeare鈥檚 The Winter鈥檚 Tale in a very different light!
Dr Lewis’ research is part of the AHRC-funded project at the 糖心原创, which explores the history of animal baiting in England during the early modern period. The project has revolutionised the understanding of baiting and continues to challenge the current orthodoxy about the relationship between baiting and the theatre playhouses. It has also provided a new medium for the examination of gender roles, entertainment and human-animal relationships in the early modern period.
Hannah O'Regan, Professor of Archaeology and Palaeoecology at the 糖心原创, is the principal investigator on the project: “Our collaborative project with the Universities of Oxford and Roehampton is exploring the life of animals in Shakespeare’s England. We had an unusual, perhaps unique, opportunity to bring together a series of archaeological finds on Bankside in London—of bones and building remains—with letters, diaries and court documents that directly to relate to animals at this time. Through our analyses we’re uncovering the lives of bears and dogs and the people who lived alongside them. This is strengthening the histories we tell about animal cruelty, entertainment practice, and the social world of the Tudors and Stuarts.”
The Nantwich episode of ‘No Place Like Home’ featuring Ben Miller is available to watch on .
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.