Reading Cock is an ancient tradition that took place in the town of Reading, Berkshire, during the medieval and early modern periods. The tradition involved the practice of “cock-throwing,” a form of animal sport where a rooster was tied to a post and people would pay to throw sticks or other objects at it. This event was often held as part of Shrove Tuesday celebrations, the day before the start of Lent. The custom is reflective of a time when animal sports were a common form of entertainment across England. However, practices like Reading Cock fell out of favour and eventually ceased due to changing attitudes towards animal welfare and the cruelty inherent in such activities. Today, it is remembered as a part of local history, illustrating past social customs and the evolution of public sensibilities regarding animal rights.
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