Tutbury bull run

It formed part of the annual Court of Minstrels, a ceremonial legal proceeding for travelling musicians in the nearby counties.

The Tutbury bull run is first recorded in 1414 but may be of earlier origin, though a story that it was begun by John of Gaunt to remind his Spanish wife of home is believed false.

The bull run originated as an entertainment during the Court of Minstrels, a 14th-century institution that served to regulate the activities of travelling musicians in counties near Tutbury.

[4][7] The practice survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries, after which the obligation was transferred to the Duke of Devonshire, who had assumed the priory lands.

[2][8] The bull run started at the priory gate, though after the Dissolution a barn belonging to the town bailiff was used (this was sited some 0.25 miles, 0.40 km from the county boundary with Derbyshire).

[9] The Bull's horns were removed, its ears and tail cropped and the skin smeared with soap to make it harder to catch; pepper was also blown into its nostrils to enrage it.

The vicar of St Mary's Church, Tutbury, Joseph Dixon, drew up a petition to William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire for abolition and, after consultation with the king and government a meeting was called at Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

A panel of 15 men from Derbyshire and 15 from Staffordshire agreed with Dixon and the Duke, with the king's approval, directed the abolition of the practice.