51/145

This bull pole, or ‘bull leader’, would be clipped through the nose ring of a bull so that it could be led around with a strong hold. It has a wooden handle and an iron head. Nothing is known of its origins.

Bull leader: wooden handle; metal (iron)

MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, circa 1951] - 'Museum of English Rural Life // Equipment to be loaned to the Cotswold Tradition Exhibition // Cat Ref. No.: // 51/145 M // [tick] Bull Pole ...', MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, circa 1951] - '[insert] MASSINGHAM FILE [end insert] // THE COTSWOLD TRADITION // AN EXHIBITION AT CIRENCESTER PARK // MAY-SEPTEMBER 1951 ... // RECEIPT. // Received with gratitude the following articles, collected from Reading University on the 29th April, 1951: // ... Bull Pole. ... // Loaned by The Massingham Collection.', MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/145 // NAME: BULL LEADER // NEG NO.: 35/218 // STORAGE: '

Wood, Metal, iron