| Bull Running |
No doubt you all thought that Bull Running originated in Spain. Well, you would be wrong. It actually began in the time of King John in the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire. William, Earl of Warren, was standing on the battlements of his castle watching two of his bulls fighting when he saw two local butchers trying to part them. They threw a bucket of cold water over them - perhaps thinking they were two dogs fighting! - and this upset the bulls and one of them charged off up the street of the local town. The Earl galloped after the rampaging bull on his horse, causing much excitement with the townsfolk and the Earl loved the experience so much that he donated his meadow to the butchers of Stamford, on condition that they provided him with a bull to taunt each November 13th. This field is still known as 'the bull meadow'.
Similar to the traditions here in Spain, the bell of St Mary's, Stamford, would begin ringing at 10.45am on the day of the Bull Running, warning people to clear the streets. At 11am precisely (not so here in Spain!) a bull would be released into the streets that had been barricaded with carts and wagons. People would line the streets to watch while the poor bull was taunted by things being thrown at him and people chasing him. The bull was eventually driven onto the bridge that spanned the river Welland, where the mob tried to push the bull into the water. If the poor animal succeeded in escaping death by drowning, the chase would continue until the bull eventually died.
This barbaric tradition continued through the 1800's, despite various people and organizations trying to abolish it, but it was not until 1840 that this was finally achieved.
Here in Spain various towns hold their own Bull Running. Moratalla in North West Murcia is one of these towns where local farmers celebrate the year's livestock by showing off their young bulls. The celebrations last a week and the Bull Running takes place at 9.30am or 6pm every day during the week 11th-17th July, together with much bravado and quite often sheer stupidity. If you want to join in or just observe this controversial fiesta, check with the local tourist information office for the exact dates. It is a very noisy affair with fire crackers and rockets going off at all hours of the day and night.