From the life of domestic cats in England
A little history
England is one of the few countries where cats have been loved from the first day of their appearance on the islands of Foggy Albion. And domestic cats appeared in Britain, according to historians, thanks to the Romans somewhere in the distant 4th century BC, when, under the influence of historical events (we won’t talk about them), 7 kingdoms were formed, later united into one kingdom - England.
The first mention of domestic cats in Britain is found in the law on their maintenance, dating back to 936 and introduced by the ruler of South Wales. (This territory also became part of England in the 12th century). The law not only protected cats, it also obliged them to be kept in every village, as an important animal for protecting the harvest. His price was the same as a bull or foal.
It must be said that in England such a law was not the only one, because cats protected the crops from rodents. They were even enlisted as catchers in the government service. According to the laws of the country, anyone who tried to steal and, especially, kill an animal was severely punished (killers faced execution). Domestic cats could only be bought, and for the sale of kittens quite high prices were set, which periodically increased, which was facilitated by the spread of black rats in Europe, imported during the Crusades (late 11th, mid-15th centuries).
But in the Middle Ages - a period that in history is called a period of darkness, savagery, ignorance and violence, blind superstition burst into the lives of the inhabitants in England, as in other countries. And misfortune befell the poor cats, who were so reverently treated just recently: they began to be credited with involvement in black magic - the ability of witches to turn into cats. If you look at paintings from this period or read ancient fairy tales of different peoples, then in a society of evil spirits this animal is definitely present in them.
And superstitious fans began to mercilessly kill the unfortunate cats, believing that it was a witch or sorcerer in the form of a cat. In Spain, the king of that time even used special torture devices on cats. The torture was so merciless and ferocious that sensible Englishmen condemned it.
This is the price the cats had to pay for human ignorance!
Return of love and recognition
Domestic cats should thank the French Cardinal Richelieu (17th century). It was he who destroyed the theory of the connection of these animals with the forces of the devil, having as many as 14 cats and surrounding them with love. And the power of prejudice began to gradually disappear thanks to the development of science and education.
As a result of these events, cats began to return to homes again. And breeders began to create new breeds, the first exhibition of which took place in England in 1870. Since then, the British have bred many interesting cat breeds that are loved not only in the country, but also far beyond its borders. Among them, the most popular are British shorthaired and longhaired beauties.
By the way, cats are still in the service of government facilities in England and for this they receive a real, albeit small, salary. These “civil servants” even have their own unique uniform - a yellow bow (instead of a collar). Only Her Majesty Elizabeth II maintains a whole staff of furry mousecatchers, to maintain their hunting instincts they are fed strictly on a schedule (every other day).
Cats in this country are so beloved that even when visiting, an Englishman will not sit in a chair from which the owner will kick the pet out, and will harbor a grudge against the owner of the animal. And there are many similar examples of love and friendliness towards cats. So England can be called the country of a cat's dreams.
