Blood Sport: Hunting in Britain Since 1066 - Softcover

Griffin, Emma

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0300145454 ISBN 13: 9780300145458

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2008

Synopsis

Nearly a decade of fiercely divisive debate over foxhunting in Britain culminated with passage of the Hunting with Dogs Act of 2004. But the battle over the future of hunting is not yet resolved, and polarizing right-or-wrong debates continue undiminished. This lively book recounts the long and colorful history of hunting in Britain and offers a fresh perspective on today's conflicts. Since William the Conqueror declared wild animals royal property and thereby provoked a burning hatred among his subjects, hunting of all kinds has been a source of social conflict in Britain. The sport is deeply entwined with questions of land and power, class divisions, and social mores. Blood Sport explores these large themes, brings them alive with surprising details and vignettes, and considers how hunting traditions have affected British national identity. Bringing the discussion fully up to date, the book concludes with a thought-provoking critique of current hunting controversies.

About this title

Review:

"... a very useful and readable survey of the history of hunting since medieval times, based upon numerous printed sources."
-- R.B Manning, English Historical Review, February 2009

"... a well constructed, balanced account of hunting activities and controversies ... [provides an] admirably clear context ... for detailed regional studies." -- Northern History, Vol. 46

`... [a] balanced book ... Should the body politic ever review [hunting] ... this should be required reading ... there is much interesting sociology.' -- Ross Leckie, Times, 13th December 2008

About the Author:

Emma Griffin is lecturer in history, University of East Anglia. She lives in Nottingham, UK.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0300145454
• ISBN 13: 9780300145458
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 296