A Pub In England Called ‘Ye Olde Fighting Cocks’ Has Been Asked To Change Its Name

It's been around since the 8th century, and is said by the Guinness Book of Records to be the oldest pub in the UK – but Ye Olde Fighting Cocks has been asked to change its name.

And it's not even for the reasons you might think, of prudishness or over the top sexual morality; instead, the request has been made on the basis that the name should reflect a more modern approach to animal rights, removing reference to the ancient barbaric sport of cock fighting.

PETA (who else) wrote on their blog:

"We wrote to the pub owners asking them to consider changing the establishment's name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks — in recognition of society's growing compassion for animals and in celebration of intelligent, sensitive chickens."

Thankfully, however, the management of the Hertfordshire pub hasn't taken too much heed of the request, and has confirmed that the name will be staying as is.

It seems the fictional cocks shall live to fight another day.

Now there's a sentence I didn't expect to write at any stage during my life...