Exact whereabouts unknown, but almost certainly close to the present Haymarket.
Earliest recording 1560, (L647-94 Ref Lib). According to deeds was still a pub in 1630, but was destroyed in the Civil War during the 1640s. Another recording of the Cock is in deeds of 1628-1712, index 9D43/10/1-15. Receipt books of 1792 records a rental of 6/8p to John Yates executors, late Augustin Heafford, for a house called the Cock. At the same time the executors of Yates received 13/4p for a tenement in the occupation of Ellen Denshire, for another part called the Cock sold to John Biggs.
There is a record of a Fighting Cocks as being in Belgrave Gate 1750, whereabouts unknown. Although it is possible, there is little evidence as yet to link the two pubs, as some historians claim.
Also 1851 Thomas Paars was summons for “laying muck and wood on the east side of his barn by the sign of the Fighting Cocks Belgrave Gate”, Paars was later given a certificate of removal of the obstruction.
Dec 1838 Three men made their escape from the law in Coventry, arrived in Leicester, billeted at the Fighting Cocks, all enlisted in the 19th of foot to claim the Kings shilling, returned to the Fighting Cocks to their beds. Superintendent of Police arrested them in their beds, subsequently taking them back to Coventry and to the open arms of the Police there who had been searching for them.
Nov 1837 John Tebbutt licensee of the Fighting Cocks was fined for keeping an unruly house after 11 o clock on Saturday and ‘suffering’ ale to be drunk on the premises.
Classed as the “Royal Sport”, King James attended many cockfights, including, according to some historians, visits to Leicester.