Unholy origins of the hunt for stags and foxes

WESTERN Europe took many of its ideas and culture from the old Roman empire, which brought about the greatest development in the use of hunting as an amusement or what is now claimed as ‘sport’.

“There is much in religion which belongs not to the Catholic tradition, but to the native or barbaric element that underlies medieval culture”, observed one historian, referring to the church’s connection to this cruelty.

The historian Henry Hallam outlined how it became impossible to repress the eagerness with which the clergy rushed into these amusements after the barbarians, tempted by the rich bishoprics, decided to take upon themselves the sacred functions.