Cock, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

The cock, uniquely marked by its castration, symbolises a profound transformation and insight. In ancient times, castrated men were called Galli, a term evoking the cock's distinctive role. This bird was believed to be consumed by molten gold if its limbs were mixed with it. The hen, or gallīna, derives its name from the cock, or gallus, which, unlike men who often have one wife, is known for its numerous mates. The cock's crowing, a cherished sound of dawn, signifies more than just morning—it heralds the end of night and the beginning of hope.

The cock’s call at dawn marks a significant shift: thieves retreat, sailors find calm and the Church’s rock, Peter, is reminded of his denial and finds redemption. Peter’s three denials before cockcrow are a poignant reminder of his human frailty and subsequent repentance. As the cock transitions from vigorous calls in the dead of night to softer ones at daybreak, it mirrors the preacher’s journey from powerful warnings of judgment to the gentle announcements of grace and salvation.

Preachers, like the cock, must first discipline themselves and examine their own lives before guiding others. The cock’s methodical approach to its crowing serves as an allegory for the preacher’s need to adapt their message according to their audience’s state of mind. Just as the cock’s call heralds the light of dawn, the preacher’s message brings spiritual illumination, helping the faithful to awaken, repent and find renewal.

In the narrative of Peter’s denial and repentance, the cock’s crow represents a call to self-awareness and transformation. Peter’s tears of repentance and subsequent confession reflect the profound impact of divine light and grace. The cock’s call—whether interpreted as the Holy Spirit’s inspiration or the preacher’s guidance—awakens the soul to truth and redemption, prompting the faithful to reflect, repent and renew their commitment to righteousness.

Gallus a castratione vocatur. Huic enim soli inter
ceteras aves testiculi adimuntur. Veteres enim ab-
scisos; gallos vocabant. Cuius membra ut ferunt si au-
ro liquenti misceantur; consumi dicunt. A gallo;
dicitur gallina. Gallus non una sola fallina contem-
tus est; sed multas habet coniuges quibus omnibus bene
dnatur. Et homo unam uxorem vix regere potest;
Galli cantus suavis in noctibus et utilis. et multis est.
desiderabilis. Qui quasi bonus cohabitator. et dormi-
entem excitat. et sollicitum admonet et consolatur
viantem; dum processum noctis voce canora protesta-
tur. Hoc canente latro suas relinquit suas insidias;
timens diem. Hoc; ipse lucifer excitatur quodammodo ut
oriatur. celumque illuminet. hoc canente; mesticiam
nauta trepidus deponit. et tempestas nocturna de-
ponitur et mitescit; contra diem. hoc canente. ipsa ecclesie
petra. culpam suam diluit; quoniam priusquam gallus ter can-
taret; ter negando contraxit. Respexit enim dominus
petrum et error recessit. Pulla est negacio; secuta est
confessio. Istius cantu; spes omnibus redit. Egris relevatur

The cock is named after castration, for it is the only bird that has his testicles removed. The ancients called castrated men Galli[1]. It is said that if the limbs of this bird are mixed with molten gold, they will be consumed by it. The hen, gallīna, is named after the cock, gallus. The cock is not content with just one hen but has plenty of them and satisfies them all, whereas a man can barely manage one wife. The cock’s crowing is pleasant at night, useful and much desired. It is like a good companion, waking those who sleep, encouraging the anxious and comforting travellers, as it marks the progress of the night with its melodious call. When cocks crow, thieves abandon their ambush, fearing the day and it is as if the morning star were somehow awakened to rise and illuminate the sky. At cockcrow, a fearful sailor lays aside his own anxiety, the night storm desists and subsides as daylight approaches. At cockcrow, the very rock of the Church washes away his guilt, for before the cock crowed thrice, he denied thrice[2]. The Lord gazed at Peter and his error vanished. There was denial followed by confession. At cockcraw, hope returns to all. The suffering of the sick is relieved.

incommodum. Revertitur fides lapsis. Iesus titu-
bantes respicit. errantes; corrigit. Mucro latronis
conditur. Gallus se prius alis verberat. et sic; vocen-
dat. Profundiori nocte; altius et diutius et inso-
lenti clamat. Appropinquante autem die; omnia
temperantius agit. In die autem; silet. nisi quia
horas observat. Nomine galli predicator sig-
nificatur cui omnia predicta de natura galli; con-
veniunt. Unde iob. Quis posuit in visceribus sapienci-
am. vel quis dedit gallo intelligentiam; Predicato-
res enim in tenebris huius vite futuram lucem nuntiant
dicentes. Nox precessit dies autem appropinquavit et cetera.
Item. evigilate iusti et nolite peccare. Gallus prius noc-
turnas horas tacendo considerat et tunc clamat.
Quia prius predicator cuiuslibet naturam et vitam et
potentiam considerat. et cui que congruere conspex-
erit; predicat. Non enim una omnibus predicatio facien-
da est. sed unicuique iuxta opera sua. Quia levis subilus
equos mitigat. catulos instigat. Et herba que huic
animali vires prebet; alii mortem iiifert. Item gal-
lus profundioribus horis noctis; valentiores et
productiores cantus edit. Cum vero mane appropin-

Faith is restored to the shaken. Jesus gazes upon the wavering, corrects the erring. The thief's sword is sheathed. The cock first beats its wings and then utters its call. At dead of night, it crows higher, longer and more vehemently. However, as the day approaches, he does all things more moderately. By day, it is silent except when marking the hours. The name gallus symbolises preachers, to whom all the aforementioned traits of the cock's nature apply. Hence, Job says, 'Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or who gave the cock understanding?'[3] Preachers in the darkness of this life announce the future light, saying, 'The night is far spent, the day is at hand,'[4] and so on. Again, 'Awake to righteousness and sin not.'[5] The cock examines the night hours first before crowing, just as a preacher first examines the nature, life and power of each person and then preaches that which befits each, for one kind of preaching does not befit all; each should be addressed according to their deeds. Although a gentle touch may soothe horses, the very same touch sets puppies; the herb that gives strength to one animal brings death to another, so too does the cock, during the deeper hours of the night, utter stronger and longer calls. As dawn approaches,

quat; leviores et minutiores et succisiores voces;
format. Quia dum iniquis qui in profundis pec-
catorum tenebris dormiunt predicant; altis et mag-
nis vocibus terrores futuri iudicii et gehenne; cla-
mant. Sed cum lux gracie illis apparet; voces ter-
roris mitigant. et blanda et suavia vite eterne;
annuntiant. et quantum lux fidei et gratie et vir-
tutum in eis plus crescit; tantum minutiora et sub-
tiliora de misteriis divinis predicant. Item gallus
antequam cantet; prius alas excutit. et semetipsum feri-
ens; vigilantiorem reddit. Ita predicatores antequam pre(dot underneath)-
dicatores an(all have dots underneath) predicent aliis; se in bonis acconiiibus
exercent. et pectora penitendo percutiunt. et se ver-
beribus castigant. et cum se prius a sompno torpo-
ris evigilant; demum ad alios evigilando clamant.
Unde apostolus. Castigo corpus meum et inservitu-
tem redigo. ne aliis predicans; ipse reprobus effi-
ciar. Hanc intelligentiam gallo solus deus dedit.
qui omnia pro ut vulte; iuste disponit. De hoc quoque
gallo sive spiritu sancto; in evangelio dicit dominus
petro. In hac nocte antequam gallus cantet; ter

it gives lighter, shorter and more fading calls, for preachers extol with great and loud voices the terrors of future judgment and hell when preaching to the wicked, who sleep in the deep darkness of sin. When the light of grace appears to them, they soften their tones and announce the sweet and gentle life of eternity. As the light of faith, grace and virtues increases within them, they preach a more subtle and refined version of the mysteries of the divine. Similarly, before crowing, the cock first shakes its wings and strikes itself, thus becoming more alert. In this way, before preaching to others, preachers first perform good deeds, striking their hearts in repentance and chastising themselves with blows. When they first awaken from the slumber of sluggishness, they then spur others to awaken. Hence the Apostle[6] says, 'I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.'[7] This ability to understand was given to the cock by God alone, who justly arranges all things as He wills. With regard to the cock or the Holy Spirit, the Lord says to Peter in the Gospel: 'This night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.'[8]

me negabis. et infra. Postquam petrus ter negasset
dominum. primo videlicet ad vocem unius ancille. secundo ad
vocem alterius alcille(changed to ancille). tercio ad vocem virorum astan-
tium sicut habetur in matheo; statim subiungitur.
Et continuo; gallus cantavit. Et recordatus petrus
verbi iesu; quod duxerat priusquam gallus cantet. ter me
negabis; egressus est foras et flevit amare. Lucas addit
post trinam negationem. Et conversus dominus; res-
pexit petrum. Et recordatus est. petrus verbi domini
et cetera. Attende diligenter. Ecce enim media nocte ne-
gat petrus. gallicantu luce appropinquante; peni-
tet. Post resurrectionem sub luce ter confitetur se
amare; quem tem negaverat. Quia quod in mediis
tenebris oblivionis erravit; sperate iam lucis reiiie-
moratione deflevit. Et eiusdem vere lucis presentia.
plene quicquid mutaverat; correxit et erexit;
Prima ancilla. titubatio est; secunda; consensio. tertius
vir; actus. Sic et nos ter deum negamus; cum in ma-
lo delectamus. et cum consentimus; et cum mala agimus.
Item ter negamus; per malam cogitationem. et malum
sermonem. et malam operationem. Nec resurgere aut

And furthermore, after Peter had denied the Lord three times—the first time before one maid, the second time before another maid and the third time before some men standing by, as it is recorded in Matthew—it is immediately added, 'And immediately, the rooster crowed.'[9] Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which he had said unto him: 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.'[10] He went out and wept bitterly. After the third denial, Luke adds: 'And the Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord,'[11] and so forth. Mark well: Peter denied in the middle of the night but at cockcrow, with the daylight approaching, he repented. After the resurrection, under the light, he confessed thrice his love for the one whom he had denied, for that which he had erred in the deep darkness of forgetfulness, he now lamented with the remembrance of the hopeful light. With the very presence of the true light, he fully corrected and lifted himself up from that whereinto he had fallen. The first maid symbolises hesitation; the second one, consent and the third man, action. Similarly, we deny God three times: when we take delight in evil, when we consent to it and when we do evil deeds. We also deny thrice by evil thought, evil speech and evil action.

deflere possimus que male commisimus; nisi gallus nobis
centet. Idest nisi predicator docuerit nos viam ve-
ritatis. vel spiritus sanctus corda nostra sua inspiratio-
ne visitare dignetur. Et nisi peccatorem respexerit do-
minus oculo misericordie. et nisi fugiamus consortia
malorum. Unde petrus exeunt foras et flevit amare;
Tunc autem nobis gallus cantat; cum predicator vel spi-
ritus sanctus corda nostra ad compunctionem revocat.
Tunc incipimus flere; cum ignimur intus per scintillam
sciencie. Tunc foras eximus; cum extra consuetum
modum vivimus;

We cannot rise again or bewail the wrong we have committed unless the cock crows for us, that is, unless the preacher shows us the way of truth or the Holy Spirit deigns to visit our hearts with His inspiration. We cannot unless the Lord looks upon the sinner with the eye of mercy and we flee the company of the wicked. Hence, Peter went out and wept bitterly. The cock crows for us when the preacher or the Holy Spirit induces our hearts to repentance. We begin to weep when the spark of knowledge ignites us inwardly. We go out when we live beyond our accustomed way of life.

Further Reading

David Badke, The Bestiary Blog: Animals in the Middle Ages, Cock, November 6 2023, https://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast258.htm

Mynott, J, Birds in the Ancient World (New York: Oxford University Press 2018)

Josh Goldenberg (BA 2012) and Matt Shanahan (BA 2014), Logeion, November 2022, https://logeion.uchicago.edu/

Castiglioni, L. and Mariotti, S. (1996). Vocabolario della Lingua Latina: Latino-Italiano Italiano-Latino. Terza Edizione. Loescher Torino

Curley, M. J., Physiologus: A Medieval Book of Nature Lore (University of Chicago edition 2009)

Rackham, H., M.A., Pliny Natural History Volume III, Libri VIII-XI (London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1949)

Collins, A. H., M.A., Symbolism of Animals and Birds (New York: McBride, Nast & Company, 1913)

Henderson, C., The Book of Barely Imagined Beings (London: University of Chicago Press, 2013)

White, T. H., The Bestiary: A Book of Beasts (New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons, 1960)

Matthews, J. and Matthews C., The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of fantastic beings from myth and magic (London: HarperElement, 2005)

Barney, S. A., Lewis, W. J., Beach A., Berghof O., The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006)

Endnotes

[1] The term "Galli" specifically referred to the priests of the Phrygian goddess Cybele, known as the Magna Mater (Great Mother) in Rome. These priests were often eunuchs who castrated themselves as part of their devotion to Cybele, following the myth of the god Attis, who was associated with Cybele and was also said to have been castrated. The Galli were known for their ecstatic and frenzied rituals, which included self-mutilation, loud music and dancing.

[2] This passage refers to the Apostle Peter, who is traditionally regarded as the rock upon which the Church was built, as Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18 ("You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church"). The passage also refers to the event recorded in the Gospels where Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the cock crowed, as Jesus had predicted (e.g., Matthew 26:34, 26:69-75).

[3] Job NKJV 38:36: "Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?" This verse is part of a passage where God is questioning Job, highlighting the vastness of divine wisdom and knowledge compared to human understanding.

[4] Romans NKJV 13:12: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."

[5] 1 Corinthians NKJV 15:34: "Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." In this verse, the Apostle Paul is admonishing the Corinthians to wake up from their moral and spiritual slumber, live righteously and avoid sin. He is also expressing disappointment that some among them lack the knowledge of God, which should be a source of shame.

[6] Paul the Apostle.

[7] 1 Corinthians NKJV 9:27: "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

[8] Matthew NKJV 26:34: "Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’"

[9] Matthew NKJV 14:68: "But he denied it, saying, ‘I neither know nor understand what you are saying.’ And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed."

[10] Matthew NKJV 26:34: Matthew 26:34: "Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’"

[11] Like NKJV 22:61: "And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’"