HISTORY OP THE J. p. MORE €^kT$ -^^l^\ ^^^$) JOHNA.SEAVERNS THE HISTORY THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS W? Kennedy.Huntsman. King George III Earl of Sandwich, MB. H. Princess of Wales. Prince of Wales. ROYAL HUPTT in WINDSOR TARK- THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS SUBSCRIPTION EDITION. PART I. THE HEEEDITAEY OR MANORIAL PACK. THE HOUSEHOLD OR PRIVY PACK. PART II. THE UNITED PACKS. ASCOT RACES. COMPILED BY .1. P. HORE, AND ISSUED BY THE COMPILER (HIS PUBLISHERS HAVING • TAKEN THE KNOCK") AT HIGH-STREET. NEWMARKET. MDOCCXCV. TO SIR WALTER GILBEY, BART., IN APPRECIATION OF HIS ANTIQUARIAN, SCIENTIFIC, AND ARTISTIC RESEARCHES RELATING TO THE BRITISH EQUINE RACE, THIS ASSEMBLAGE OF DOG-LATIN, FRENCH OF STRATFORD-LE-BOW, AND OLD ENGLISH, TOGETHER WITH THE SINGULAR EXEMPLIFICATION OF OFFICIAL . DOQ-IN-THE-MANGERISM BY WHICH THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS HAS BEEN CURTAILED, IS INSCRIBED BY THE COMPILER. ERRATA. Page 1. f^or " 100 centuries " read " 10." 25. For " 1866 " read " 1886." 40-48. For " George Boleyne, Viscount Rochester " read " Rochtord.' 80. i^or "August 21, 1520," read "April." 390. For " Earl of Granville" read " Earl Granville' CONTENTS. PART I. THE DUAL PACKS. CHAPTER I. THE ''IIEIIEBITARY'' BRANCH: EDWARD III.— HENRY VIII. General Introduction. — Hunting "at Force." — England under Edward III. — His Prowess as a Huntsman. — Minimum Establishment of the Buck- hounds. — The Huntsmen in Ordinary. — Feudal Services. — The Manor of Little Weldon held by Tenure of keeping the Hounds. — The "Hereditary" Masters and the Hunt-Servants. — Sir Bernard Brocas, First Master. — Annual Tax imposed on the Counties of Surrey and Sussex the Support of the Pack. — The First and Subsequent Payments by the Sheriffs of Sussex to the Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds. — Sir Bernard Brocas, Second Master. — William Brocas, Third Master. — William Brocas, Fourth Master. — John Brocas, Fifth Master. — William Brocas, Sixth Master. — John Brocas, Seventh Master. — George Warham, jure Anne Brocas, Eighth Master. — Kalph Pexsall, jure Edith Brocas, Ninth Master 1 CHAPTER II. THE HOUSEHOLD BRANCH: HENRY VIII. General Introduction : Social State of England tenq}. Richard II. — Henry VII. — Accession of Henry VIII. — The Household Branch of the Royal Buckhounds instituted. — George Bolcyne, Viscount Rochester, First Master, — The Hunt-Servants.— Their Salaries and Emoluments. — Sir Richard Long, Second Master. —Lord Darcy of Chiche, Third Master. 28 Vm CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. THE HOUSEHOLD BRANCH: EDWARD VL~ELIZABETH. Celebrity of Hunting in England tnnjj. Edward VI. — John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, Fourth Master: April 5 to November 10, 1551. — Sir Robert Dudley, Fifth Master : November 11, 1551, to c. August 1553.— The Household Pack tcmj). Philip and Mary. — The Hunt- Servants. — Annual Cost of the Pack, — Accession of Queen Elizabeth. — Annual Cost of the Pack. — The Hunt Servants. — Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Sixth Master: May 28, 1572, to September 4, 1588.— State of the Pack to the End of Queen Elizabeth's Reign. — Dearth of Hunting Intelligence.— The Queen and Ladies in the Hunting Field. . ... 58 CHAPTER lY. THE "HEREDITARY'' BRANCH: HENRY VIII.— CHARLES I. Sir Richard Pexsall, Tenth Master. — Sir John Savage, Eleventh Master. — Sir Pexsall Brocas, Twelfth Master. — Dispute between James I. and the Master. — Critical Affairs of the Pack. — It is abolished by Royal Warrant.- The Functions of the Office conferred on the Sergeant of the Household Branch. — Order Thereon to the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex. — Passing Events. — The Hereditary Pack given to Charles, Duke of York. — Sir Pexsall Brocas continues to receive the Emoluments of the Office.— The Hunt-Servants.— Thomas Brocas, Thirteenth Master.— The Manor of Little Weldon, and with it the Nominal Mastership of this Branch of the Royal Buckhounds, sold to Sir Lewis Watson. . , 80 CHAPTER V. THE HOUSEHOLD BRANCH: JAMES I. (1603-1621). Annual Cost of the Pack during the Reign of James I. — The Master and the Hunt-Servants. — Their Annual Salaries, Fees, and Emoluments. — Sir Thomas Tyringham, Eighth Master: July 21, 1604, to March 25,1625. 95 CHAPTER VL THE HOUSEHOLD BRANCH: CHARLES I. (1625-1649). Annual Expenses of the Pack during the Reign of Charles I., from 1625 to 1640.— The Master and the Hunt-Servants. — Their Salaries, Fees, and Emoluments.— Sir Timothy Tyrell, Ninth Master : March 26, 1625, to May 19, 1633.— Sir Thomas Tyringham (ii), Tenth Master : May 20, 1633, to January 1637.— Robert Tyrwhitt, Esq., Eleventh Master: May 4, 1637, to January 6, 1651, — Reflections on Sport with the Pack from 1608 CONTENTS. IX to 1(540. — Hunting Horses. — Hunting Matches. — The Koyal Studs.— Deer- and Hound-Vans. — The Equerries of the Hunting Stables. — Hunting with the Pack during the Commonwealth. — Poaching.— Destruction of Deer. — Fate of the Royal Hunt-Servants. . . .119 CHAPTER VII. THE HOUSEHOLD BRANCH: CHARLES II. (1660-1685). John Cary, Esq., Twelfth Master : .July 7, 1661, to February 5, 168.5.— Expenses of the Pack during the Eeign of Charles II. — The Master and the Hunt-Servants. — Their Salaries, Fees, and Emoluments. . 149 CHAPTER VIII. THE HOUSEHOLD BRANCH: JAMES II. (1685-1688). Colonel James Graham, Thirteenth Master: March 25, 1685, to September 29, 1688. — Expenses of the Pack during the Reign of James II. . . 177 CHAPTER IX. THE HOUSEHOLD BRANCH: WILLIAM III. (1689-1702). James de Gastigny, Fourteenth Master : September 0, 1689, to c. July 1698. — Reinhard Vincent, Baron Van Hompesch, Fifteenth Master: July 6, 1698, to March 8, 1702.— Annual Cost of the Pack.— Hunting in Holland. — Hunting in England. — Fatal Accident to the King when hunting with the Pack. — -Various Accounts of the Spill, and a Poor Record of the Runs towards the End of his Reign . 184 CHAPTER X. THE ''HEREDITARY" BRANCH: CHARLES I.~ANNE. Sir Lewis Watson, first Baron Rockingham, Fourteenth Master. — Edward Watson, second Baron Rockingham, Fifteentli Master. — Lewis Watson, first Earl of Rockingham, Si.xteenth, and Last, ■' Hereditary " Master. 203 X CONTENTS. PART II. THE UNITED PACKS. CHAPTER XT. ANNE (1702-1714). The Hereditary and Household Branches amalgamated. — The United Packs placed on the Establishment of the Prince Consort. — Death of H.R.H. — The Buckhounds Ee-established and Re-organised. — Appertains to the Lord Chamberlain's Department. —Annual Expenses of the Pack. — The Huntsmen and the Hunt-Servants. — The Hounds. — The Buck- hunting Season. — The Sport. — Ladies' Costume in the Hunting Field. — Sir Charles Shuckburgh, Thirtieth Master: June 6, 1703, to September 2, 1705. — Walter Chetwynd(Lord Rathdownand First Viscount Chetwynd), Thirty-first Master: October 4, 1705, to June 7, 1711.— Sir William Wyndham, Thirty-Second Master: June 8, 1711, to June 27, 1712.— George, Third Earl of Cardigan, Thirty-third Master : June 28, 1712, to June 11, 1715. — Ascot Races instituted in connection with the Royal Buckhounds. — Reflections on Sport with the Pack during the Reign of Queen Anne. — Deer. — Officers of Windsor Forest. — Ascot Races. — " Queen Anne is Dead." 210 CHAPTER XIL GEORGE I. (1714-1727). The Earl of Cardigan re-appointed Master of the Royal Buckhounds. November 6, 1714.— Resigns Office Jixly 11, 1715.— No Official Master onward during the Reign of George I. — Mr. William Lowen, Senior, appointed Huntsman to the Pack. — The Hounds. — The Hunt-Servants. — The Pack re-organised. — Annual Expenses of the Establishment during the Reign of George I. — Some Records of the Runs. — Popularity of the Hunt. — Is in great Favour with the Fair Sex. — Dearth of Hunting Intelligence during the Reign of George I. — Alderman Humphrey Parsons. — Ascot Races 252 CHAPTER XIIT. GEORGE II. (1727-1732). Colonel Francis Negus, Thirty-sixth Master, July 11, 1727, to September 9, 1732. — Annual Cost of the Pack. — Records of the Runs from 1728 to 1732.— Ascot Races .268 CHAPTER XIV. GEORGE II. {cofitinncd). (1733-1736). Charles, Earl of Tankcrville, Tliirty-seventh Master : June 21, 1733, to June 1736.— Records of the Runs from 1733 to 1736.— Ascot Races. . 292 CONTENTIS. XI CHAPTER XV. GEORGE II. ((jontiniied) (1737-1744). Ralph Jenison, Esq.. Thirty-uighth Master : July 7. 1737, to December 25, 17i4. . . " 317 CHAPTER XVI. GEORGE II. {vonclvdi-d) (1745-17GO). The Earl of Halifax, Thirty-ninth Master : December 31, 1744, to June 2.5, 174G.— Ralph Jenison, Esq. (ii), Fortieth Master : July 2, 1746, to February 5, 1757. — Viscount Batcman, Forty-first Master : July 1, 1757, to October 25, 1760. — Records of the Runs. — Annual Expenses of the Pack during the Reign of George II. — The Huntsmen and the Hunt-Hervants. — Their Halaries and Emoluments.— Ascot Races. . . 33(5 CHAPTER XVII. GEORGE III.— VICTORIA. The History of the Royal Buckhouuds stopped by Her Majesty's Ministers. — Official Dog-in-the-Mangerism.— Red Tape. — No more Official In- formation permitted, — Conjectures and Speculations. — No Official Information of the Buckhounds during the Reigns of George IV., William IV., and Victoria. — The Masters and the Hunt-Servants. — — And '• God Save the Queen ! " 372 CHAPTER XVIII. SwiNLEY Lodge 382 Chronological Index to the Masters, Huntsmen, and Hunt- Servants OF THE Royal Buckhounds from the Reign of King Edward III. to the Reign of H.I.M. Queen Victoria . . .388 Postscript . . 391 PART I. THE DUAL PACKS. CHAPTER I. ''HEREDITARY BRANCH"— EDWARD III. TO HENRY VIII. General Introduction.— Hunting "at Force."— England under Edward III. — His Prowess as a Huntsman. — Minimum Establishment of the Buckhounds. — The Ordinary Hunt Servants. — Feudal Services. — The Manor of Little Weldon held by Tenure of keeping the Hounds. — Sir Bernard Brocas, First Master. — Annual Tax imposed on Surrej^ and Sussex towards supporting the Pack. — The First and Subsequent Payments by the Sheriff of Sussex to the Masters of the Buckhounds. — Sir Bernard Brocas, Second Master. — Sir Rustin Villenove, Intervenient Master. — William Brocas, Third Master. — William Brocas, Fourth Master. — John Brocas, Fifth Master. — William Brocas, Sixth Master. — John Brocas, Seventh Master. — George Warham jure Anne Brocas, Eighth Master. — Ralph Pexsall jure Edith Brocas, Ninth Master. The hunting establishments of the kings, queens, and princes of Great Britain from the earliest to the present times form a subject so abstruse that no one has ever attempted their in- vestigation in connection with the history of the chase. The ramifications of those establishments are so varied and compli- cated, that if a sporting writer were to attempt to follow up the " scent " in this historical hunt — extending, as it would do, to over a hundred centuries — he would doubtless come to sfrief in the progress of the " run," leaving only his ghost to be in at the death to tell the tale. In our prosaic days ghosts and dead 1 2 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. men tell no tales, consequently the subject is a covert which, we fear, will be " drawn blank " for evermore. The days of chivalry passed away without producing a champion who essayed such a task, and lived to record the result of his re- searches. It may be, however, that some of those "spectre- hunters," whom so many of the mediaeval chroniclers testify as having been seen in the witching hours of night pursuing the pleasures of the chase with hound and horn, set out on a his- torical hunt of this description. If so, it is evident the poor enthusiast came to grief, and met his fate in the pursuit of such a quarry. Truly an appalling conjecture ! This infatuation must have claimed many victims, for, seek where we will, there is no important forest mentioned by the superstitious writers of old without its " spectre hunter." Yet this ghost was a popular ghost. Even Shakespeare pays homage to the venatic spirit that held its nocturnal sway in Windsor Forest. With such dire conjurations before us we must at once close our eyes, and exclude from sight the multifarious sections of the chase connected with royalty, and confine our investigations to one portion only of the hunting establishment of the reigning sovereigns of these realms, so far as it relates to the " Royal Buckhounds." Even in this single department we find several distinct and separate elements. In the first place, there are the Buckhounds and the officers of the hunt, as officially recognised by the Lord High Chamberlain's department, the annual cost of which was defrayed by the Treasurer of the Chamber of the Royal House- hold. Secondly, the royal prerogative in the chase continually occurred by which the sovereign frequently augments the pack by seizing any hounds he liked belonging to his subjects, conse- quently we find the royal kennels " well replenished " from time to time with drafts obtained from this source. Thii'dly, when a bishop or an abbot departed this world for other happy hunting- grounds, the contents of the ecclesiastical kennel immediately reverted to the reigning sovereign. Fourthly, the sergeanties, that is, those estates held of the Crown by tenure of providing and keeping a certain number of Buckhounds and other sorts ENGLAND UNDEK EDWAED III. 6 of dogs for the king's " disport." Fifthly, the obligations of the sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex, who were obliged to furnish certain contributions towards the cost of the pack out of the issue of those counties yearly. And sixthly, the somewhat complicated functions and privileges of the Hereditary Masters and the Household Masters of the pack, of whom the latter were nominated by the sovereign when feudal services gradually became obsolete in the sixteenth and eventually lapsed in desuetude early in the eighteenth century. Under each of these distinct sections were many subsidiary ones, as we shall see from time to time; the whole surroundings and the as- sociations of the pack constituting a quaint picture in the history of the chase from the time when the Royal Buckhounds) per se, were first instituted in the reign of Edward III. down to comparatively modern times. There is no doubt that buckhunting was a branch of the royal chase long before the time of Edward III. It seems special importance was imparted to the Royal Buckhounds in the reign of Edward III., when the pack is first specifically mentioned : " Canum nostrarum damorum vocatum buck- houndis," with a Master and other ofiicers appointed by the king to manage it, the Mastership being a hereditary oflice, and exercised by the Brocas family through many generations. About this period a manifest change took place in buckhunting. Before this time the sport was a mixture of coursing and stalk- ing the fallow deer with bow and arrow. The change referred to altered from that method to hunting the buck with hound and horn " at force " — that is to say, by rousing the quarry from his lair, laying on the hounds, and riding to them in pursuit, somewhat after the manner followed at the present time. It would be interesting to give a report of such a run with this pack in the days of the third Edward; but, alas! the fraternit}'' of the quill, who so graphically depict such scenes in our days, did not exist until the nineteenth century was out of its teens. And are we not now referring to sporting events occurring more than five hundred years ago, during a period when pen, ink, and parchment gave way to=the sword, blood, and mail armour ? 4 THE HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. Dean Hook, in his " Lives of the Archbishops of Canterbury," very truly remarks that " the domestic history of Edward III. can scarcely be said to exist, all modern historians having directed attention to the warlike splendours of his reign." Under such circumstances our task, though a labour of love, becomes a very difficult one. The game is abundant, but so wild, that we frequently find ourselves fields behind the quarry, and, alas ! the scent is far from holding. The glory of this era militates and obscures the detailed records of the chase, so much so that the " imitation of war " had to give place to the genuine article — Mars, not Diana, monopolising for a great part of the time the attention of kings, princes, nobles, knights, squires, and clerics. Merry England in the days of Edward III. was not unlike ancient Rome in her gi'eatest prosperity — successful wars, glorious conquests, splendid spoils, brilliant triumphs ; in short, our ancestors at this period might be justified in adopting the imperial motto, and place over their triumphal arches, " Antique, sublime, and alone ! " Hence it happens that ordinary every- day events in England are rarely mentioned by the chroniclers of the time ; local incidents of a pastoral nature were lost sight of, or eclipsed by the martial glory of the era. Notwithstanding these drawbacks we must don our hunting tabard, mount our horse, wind our horn, and seek for some information relating to the Royal Buckhounds, as the facts may happen to be occasionally inscribed "on time's backward roll." King Edward III. was every inch a sportsman. He usually took his hounds and hawks with him wherever he went, whether at home or abi'oad, in time of peace or in time of war. There is little doubt that his hunting establishment was spacious, well furnished with all the accessories of the chase, and kept upon a proper footing. With one portion of it only we are now concerned — namely, the Royal Buckhounds, as reorganised and dignified by this magnificent Plantagenet monarch. For reasons given above, it is impossible to say precisely the number of hounds usually uncoupled at a meet of this pack. According to the conditions of the sergeanty, OEDINAKY HUNT-SEEVANTS — FEUDAL SEKVICES. 5 the minimum number of hounds in the pack was fifteen couples. These were probabl}' supplemented from other sources when required. The same may b;e said of the hunt servants. Strictly speaking, the Hereditary branch of this pack only comprised the Master, the huntsman, the two "berners," whose duties were probably somewhat similar to the yeomen prickers of after times and the whippers-in of our own period. It is also impossible to give the nominal or the actual yearly cost of the pack. We know nothing of these expenses beyond the fact of the manor of Little Weldon, Northamptonshire, having been held by tenure of keeping the hounds, with a supplementary tax imposed on the counties of Surrey and Sussex, amounting to 63^. 17s. Qd. from the 36th year of the reign of Edward III. (a.d. 1362) ; and afterwards 50/. a year down to the year 1707, when those annual payments terminated. Bearing these circumstances in mind, it is safe to assume a glorious cavalcade assembled at a meet of the Royal Buckhounds in the vicinity of Windsor, when Edward III. and his illustrious Court attended there to' enjoy the pleasures of the chase. At the headquarters of this Royal Hunt yclept Windsor Forest, we find Edward III. — Dei gratia Rex Francise, et Anglise, et Domnius Hibernise, et Dux Aquitanise — about this time making considerable extensions to those happy hunting- grounds. Thus we find Sir William Trussel granting to his sovereign lord and master, in exchange of other lands, certain assarts from the soil of the Forest of Windsor, Old Windsor, New Windsor, Wynkefield and Ascot, which appertained to the Castle and Manor of Windsor, in times before the said lands were brought into cultivation, with the obvious intention (sad to say) that they should be re-affbrested for the benefit of the game. In like manner Sir John Brocas gave the King (for a quid pro quo) all his lands in Clewer, Bray, Dyneworth, and Windsor. And so on in various similar cases, which are unnecessary to recapitulate in detail. These transactions are adduced merely to show that Windsor Forest, spacious as it was in those days, was not deemed large 6 THE HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. enough for the venatic requirements of this great and mighty- monarch. Almost contemporaneous and co-existent with the institution of the Order of the Garter, the Mastership of the Royal Buck- hounds partook of, and participated in, the splendour and magnificence of the age. The first Master was a grand sports- man, a distinguished statesman, and an intimate and trusted friend of the king. Apart from his official connection with the pack, he was in receipt of a grant of 50/. a year for good service rendered to the Crown. He was also Master of the Horse, a post of great distinction and profit ; and as a soldier he was pre-eminent among the many valiant and brave men who flourished under the all-conquering sway of the trium- phant Edward. Now let us picture to ourselves the brilliant scene presented at a meet of the Royal Buckhounds in those days. In our mind's eye we see King Edward in his pride of place, accompanied by the Black Prince and his wife, — who has achieved such celebrity as " The Fair Maid of Kent," through whom the Order of the Garter is said to have originated, — " time-honoured Lancaster," Lineol of Clarence, and a brilliant troop of lords and ladies, knights galore, and doubtless many a squire of low degree, who had but recently won his spurs on numerous hard-fought fields — all well mounted and eager for the chase. Besides the natives, let us glance at the foreigners of distinction who are present at the meet. The French king, a prisoner of war on parole, the Duke of Orleans, with their suites, the flower of the nobility of conquered France, are there, trying to forget their misfortune in the pleasures of the chase. How the heart of the peasant who came to see the meet must throb with national pride as he looked upon the royalty of humbled France ! What pleasure he must feel as he tells his sweetheart by his side that yonder sorrel carries Ralph Earl of Eu and Guisnes, High Constable of France, and on either side she sees Charles Lord of Blois, and the Earl of Tancarville. David King of Scotland and his queen are likewise present, and likewise prisoners of war. There are other great person- ages at the meet among King Edward's guests upon whom SIR BEENARD BROCAS, FIRST HEREDITARY MASTER. 7 fortune has not frowned, whom the fame of England attracts to visit her hospitable shores. From the East we see the King of Cyprus, from the North the Sovereign of Denmark. The reio-nins: Duke of Bavaria, the Duke of Brabant, Sir Frank van Hall, Sir Henry Eam of Flanders, " and many great lords and knights of Almain, Gascoigne, and other countries," are also to the fore. A highly-coloured picture perchance, yet withal a faithful one without exaggeration. Such a scene was doubtless witnessed in the vicinity of Windsor in those (then rare) piping days of peace, preparatory to the Master throwing off the hounds to seek the " antlered monarch of the glen " within the confines of the Forest " full of wilde dere," with "homes hie," the greatest that " were ever seen with eie," as old Chaucer hath it. These " grand huntings " were of fre- quent occurrence, upon which the king expended, says Barnes, in his "History of Edward III.," " extraordinary sums, 100/. one day and 100 marks the other, and so on, while the sport continued, which was both long and very diverting." Leaving the hunting field for the present, we must now hark back, and briefly follow the fortunes of the Hereditary Masters of the K,oyal Buckhounds from the reign of Edward IH. to the 7th year of the reign of Charles I. (1633), when the Brocas family ceased to hold the official horn of the pack. According to a popular tradition, in the year 1066 Sir Ber- nard Brocas, a knight of high renown, came into England with William the Conqueror, under whom he was a great com- mander, and had, in requital for his military services, the selection of lands to the then valiie of 400Z. per annum given him by that king. This estate he chose in Hampshire, and upon a part of it built his mansion house, calling it Beaurepaire, from a place of the appellation in France, of which his im- mediate ancestors were lords, encompassing it with a large moat, dug by his soldiers, which cost a mark (13s. 4c?.) or two of silver. In his progeny this estate continued until the twenty-first year of Henry VII. (a.d. 1506), when William Brocas, Esq., having only two daughters, — Anne, who died without issue, and Edith, who married Sir Ralph Pexsall, — 8 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. with these two ladies the direct line terminated ; yet from a younger branch, having their chief residence at Horton Hall, in Buckinghamshire, and who were owners of many fair lordships in that county, the succession, through Bernard Brocas, Esq., of Horton Hall, the lineal heir, was continued until the male line finally became extinct on the death of Bernard Brocas, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the Hants Militia, the last of the family, November 8th, 1777. Passing from the founder of the family above mentioned, and the three succeeding knights of the same name, we get down to the time of Sir John Brocas, of Beaurepaire,-co. Hants, who served with distinction under Edward III. at the siege of Calais, in 1346. This martial knight died in 1372, and had issue three sons : (1) Sir John, who obtained in the eighteenth year of Edward III. (a.d. 1344) a grant from the King of the Keepership of Nottingham Castle for life, and died, without heirs, on the battle-field, fighting against the French, in 1349 ; (2) Sir Oliver,* who was Grand Seneschal of the Duchies of Guienne and Aquitaine, and Governor of Bordeaux, under Edward III., as alleged in an old MS. in French, of the laws and customs by which he governed that province, then per- taining to the English Crown. This Sir Oliver Brocas married Margaret, daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Hever, Knight, by whom he had an only son, John Brocas, who survived his father only sixteen years, and died without heirs in 1377* (3) Sm Bernard Brocas, Knight, the first Hereditary Master of the Royal Buckhounds, who married, first, Agnes Vavasour, divorced in 1360; secondly, Mary, daughter and heir of Sir John de Boches, Knight, and widow of Sir John de Borhunte; and, thirdly, Catherine, widow of Sir H. Tyrrell. On the death of his nephew, John Brocas above mentioned, this Sir Bernard succeeded to the family patrimony ; and, as * He held the Manor of Apse, in Surrey, by the service of rendering fifteen bushels of malt, oats, barley, and wheat to make ale, and two bushels and a half of wheat and barley to make bread, together with a hog, or in lieu thereof 12d., to be distributed in alms annually on All Souls' Day, in the Manor of Apse, for the repose of the souls of the Kings of England forever. (Ing. P. M., 37 Edw. III., No. 7.) SIR BERNARD BROCAS, FIRST HEREDITARY MASTER. \) previously described, he was appointed by Edward III. to the office of Master of the Royal Buckhounds, About this time Sir Bernard Brocas acquired the manor of Little Weldon, Northamptonshire, which had been held of the Crown, from the earliest times, as a sporting sergeanty, under the following circumstances : — There is no doubt that some portion of the Manor of Little Weldon, Northamptonshire, was held by the tenure of keeping the King's Buckhounds prior to this illustrious monarch's reign. Here, however, we must distinguish the difference between the tenure of Keeping these hounds and Mastership of the pack. Prior to the 36th year of the reign of Edward III. (a.d, 1362) we cannot find any authentic mention of the Master of the Royal Buckhounds in any of the various official deeds relating to the custody of the pack appertaining to the holders of the Manor of Little Weldon, This essential distinction appears to have been overlooked by Professor Montagu Bur- rowes in his very interesting history of " The Family of Brocas of Beaurepaire and Roche Court, Hereditary Masters of the Royal Buckhounds." In that volume (p. 26.4) the gallant and erudite author gives the following "List of the Hereditary Masters of the Royal Buckhounds by tenure in capite of Hunter's Manor, in Little Weldon, Northamptonshire : — " 1. [?] Osborne Lovel, Chamberlain to Henry II. " 2. []] William Lovel. "3. Hamon le Venour, by grant from Henry III. in 1216. (?) Resumed and regranted to Lovel. " 4. William Lovel. "5. John Lovel, ob. 1316. " 6. Thomas de Borhunte, ob. \Z^O,jure Margaret Lovel. " 7. William Danvers, oh. jure Margaret Lovel. " 8. Sir Bernard Brocas (1363), ob. 1395, jwre Mary de Borhunte." Now, with reference to the first seven individuals mentioned in the above list, as having been Hereditary Masters of the Royal Buckhounds, we are unable to accept them in that capacity. We can find no confirmation or allusion to any of 10 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. those persons ever having held the office of Master, although they were undoubtedly the custodians of a portion of the King's Buekhounds and other dogs for the time being. In some instances they are styled huntsmen. In no instance are they called Masters. Even the number of buekhounds in the custody of the holders of the Manor varied from time to time. In the 10th year of the reign of Edward II. (A.D. 1316) the Manor of Little Weldon was held by tenure of keeping seven and a half couples of the King's Buekhounds every year in Lent. The same number is mentioned in the original Inquisition taken in the 14th Edward III. (A.D. 1340);* and in a similar document of the 40th Edward III. there are only seven couples mentioned. It is unnecessary for us to dwell on the peculiarities of the tenure or sergeanty attached to the Manor of Little Weldon during the period it was held solely by keeping certain drafts of the King's Buekhounds and the contingent services thereof, as this part of the subject is gone into by Professor Burrows. It will be sufficient for our purpose to begin with the manor when it passed to Sir Bernard Brocas on his marriage with Mary de Borhunte. Here we are. somewhat at fault in not being able to ascertain the exact date of this alliance. Sir Bernard Brocas is said to have been divorced from his first wife, Agnes Vavasour, in 1360. When he married his second wife, Mary de Borhunte, the relict of Sir John de Borhunte, is not stated in the family pedigree, as set out in Professor Burrows' volume. If the divorce did not take place before 1360 the marriage with Mary de Borhunte must have been subsequent to that date. On June 6th, 1366, in consideration of a payment of 4:1., Sir Bernard Brocas obtained the King's licence to permit Matilda Lovel to make a grant of the Manor * Professor Burrows gives a copy of an undated document written in French, preserved among the Brocas family muniments, relating to Thomas de Bor- hunte, the holder of the tenure at this time, in which the number of buck- hounds in his custody is set down as twenty-four, and six greyhounds. This does not correspond with the original Inquisition above mentioned ; and it appears to refer to a later period when the tenure was altered after Sir Bernard Brocas became the first Master (^2^'^'' *^) ^^ *^^ Koyal Buekhounds. THE MANOR OF LITTLE WELDON. 11 of Little Weldon, and the bailiwick of keeping the Royal Buckhounds, with the appurtenances, to the said Sir Bernard and Mary his wife for the natural term of her life ; should she survive Matilda and her heirs, the manor, etc., was to revert to the said Mary; and after her death it was to go to Sir Bernard and his heirs.* She having died about the year 1381, and no claimant appearing, the manor and bailiwick, with the * P Bernardo I ly omnib} ad quos &c. saitm Sciatis qd de gra nra Brocas Ispaii & p quatuor libris quas diicus & fidelis nr Bernardus Brocas Chiualer notjs soluit concessione & licenciam dedim} p nobs & heredibs nris quantu in nob est Matilt Louel qd ipa concedere possit qd mafiiu de parua Weldon ac ballina custodiendi canes nros damaricios cum ptui que de nob tenent in capite & que pfatus Bernardus & Maria ux. eius tenent ad tminii vite ipsius Marie que eciam post mortem eiusdem Marie ad pfatam Matiti & heredes suos reuti deberent post decessum eiusdem Marie remaneant pfato Bernardo & heredib} suis tenend de nob & heredib} nfis p suicia inde debita & consueta imppm et eidem Bernardo qd ipe maiiiii & ballinam pdca cum ptim post mortem ipsius Marie retinere possit sibi & heredib} suis tenend de nob & heredib} nris p suicia supdca imppm tenore psenciu similit licencia dedim} spaiem nolentes qd pdca Matitt vel heredes sui aut pfatus Bernardus vel heredes sui rone pmissor p nos vel heredes nros Justic Escactores vicecomites aut alios ballinos seu Ministros nros quoscun3 occonent} molestent} in aliquo seu g^uent''. In cui} &c., T. R. apud Westm, vj die Junii. et pdca quatuor libre soliat sunt in han. Vide Patent Roll, 40 Edward III., Part I., m. 19. See also Originalia Roll (Exch. L. T. R.), 40 Edward III., Ro. 27, under " Grossi Fines." In the I. P. M., 40 Edward III. (2nd numbers. No. 40b), the tenure was for the custody of fourteen of the King's buckhounds with one man to keep them, amounting to ^4 a year. This document is very faded. 12 THE HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. custody of the King's Buckhoimds, and the appurtenance, henceforth belonged to Sir Bernard and his heirs. Down to the time this deed was executed, in June 1366, we believe we are correct in saying that there is no direct evidence of the Mastership (in contradistinction to the custodianship) of the Royal Buckhounds having appertained to the holders of this manor. The details of the tenure, so far as it relates only to the custody of so many couples of the Royal Buckhounds, etc., do not directly affect the Hereditary Office of the Master of the Pack, as we shall find it hereafter established and fulfilled. Therefore the marriage settlement of June 1366 is of paramount importance, provided we may take it as fixing the date of Sir Bernard's second marriage ; for if he did not acquire the Manor of Little Weldon by right of his second spouse, before the year 13 66, he must have held the Office of Master of the Royal Buckhounds independently and apart from the tenure incident to the custody of the Buckhounds apper- taining to that property. Professor Burrows commits a singular mistake when he asserts that " We first hear of the salary [i.e., of the Hereditary Master] being first assigned on the revenues of the Sherifi" of Surrey in 1421, a memorandum of which date we find in the Brocas chest concerning a payment of part of the salary due to William Brocas from John Halle, Sherifi" of Surrey."* The year 1421 was the 9th regnal year of the reign of Henry V. ; and, instead of this having been the first payment to the Hereditary Master of the Royal Buckhounds, the stipend had been received by the holders of the office from the 36th year of the reign of Edward III. (a.d. 1362-63). This would be nearly five years anterior to the execution of the deed of settlement between Matilda Lovel and Mary de Borhunte, the second wife of Sir Bernard Brocas; consequently he could have no legal right to the Manor of Little Weldon and the bailiwick of the custody of the King's Buckhounds thereunto belonging, until after his * " The Family of Brocas," p. 256. FIRST PAYMENT BY THE SHEEIFF OF SUSSEX. 13 marriage with that lady, upon whom the manor shortly after devolved,* This brings us face to face with the first payment recorded in the Pipe Rolls of the counties of Surrey and Sussex to the Hereditary Masters of the Royal Buckhounds, which is as follows : — (^-6>i?|tia|8o ©joca^OifbSt catmr(Fe0e^ sawtS ait "Si ®ziiFmga|tox ^ (vae'cyais (vnisamaf (^ (otiu of ofir p &tcm j (z^ pit^ ss'y canur- cu|^ of Februarye 1565 [-6] vntill M'^" afore- said 1572, as by Certificate thereof remayning apperythe and the saide Henrye Sell payed vntil x'pas anno viij'"° D'D' Regine." In the account of (Sir) Thomas Henneage, Treasurer of the Chamber of the Household from Michaelmas (1.3 and 14 Eliz.) 1571, to Michaelmas 1572, the name of the Earl of Leicester as Master of the Buckhounds heads the audit list of the ofiicials of the Royal Pack : — Also allowed for money paid to the righte honnorable Roberte, Erie of Leicester, m'' of the quenes ma*^ Buckhoundes for his fee at xxxiij^. vj^, viij^. p ann' paiable everie half yere at thannvm'ciacon' of o'' Ladie and S^ Michell tharchaungelP by even porcoiis, viz., Paid to hym for half a yere Due at m.^ last A° xiiij II. R. EUzabethe, by vertvie of her ma"*^^ libate' Dormaunte vnder the greate Seale of England. Dated at Westm' xxviij" die maij anno antedeo' . . . xvj'^ xiij®. iiij^. Each of the acting hunt servants above mentioned were in receipt of the same salaries and allowances, except Henry Wood, one of the yeomen prickers, who died on June 6, up to which date his wages were paid in full ; the whole cost of the pack for this year being set down at 125^. 1 5s. lOd. The following year it amounted to 161 Z. 4s. 6d., and continued at about that sum until the end of Elizabeth's reign, so far as relates to the annual accounts given in this series. Thomas Dodsworth, one of the grooms of the Buckhounds, died on January 10, 1574, "as appeareth by cirtificate subscribed w''' the hands of the Curate and Church Wardens of Lewesham, in the Countie of Kent." About the same time Henry Crockeson succeeded Henry Wood, yeoman pricker, deceased. During the following six or seven years no change had taken place in the officials or the cost of the pack, according to the accounts of the Treasurer of Chamber, save a trifling difference made to 62 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. three of the hunt-servants in their annual allowance for their summer and winter liveries. Sir Robert Dudley, Baron Denbigh, Earl of Leicester, etc., fifth and sixth Master of the Household branch of the Royal Buckhounds, tem'p. Edward VI. (appointed November 11, 1551) and, secondly, temp. Elizabeth (May 28, 1572— September 4, 1588), fourth son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and Jane, daughter of Sir Edward Guildeford, knight, was born about the year 1532. Having been introduced at the Court of Edward VI., where his father at the time was in high favour, young Dudley met with a cordial reception, and a brilliant career lay before him. On August 15, 1551, he was sworn one of the six Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to the King. In about three months afterwards, when his father resigned his post of Master of the Buckhounds, Robert, his son, obtained the honour of knighthood, and on November 11 he became fifth Master of this branch of the Royal pack which his father apparently relinquished in the young courtier's favour. How long he held the Mastership under Edward VI. we have not been able to ascertain. It is, however, safe to conclude that in consequence of his father's treason, attainder, and execution, his son's connection with the Buckhounds had, for the present, ter- minated on the accession of Queen Mary. Immediately after Queen Mary's accession, in July 1553, Sir Robert Dudley was committed to the Tower, and on January 15 following he was arraigned of High Treason, confessed the indictment, and was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. But he was soon after pardoned ; the Queen restored him in blood, received him into favour, and made him Master of Ordnance, at the siege of St. Quintain. In this service he remained abroad for some time. On his return to England he seems to have lived in comparative retirement with his first wife, the unfortunate Amy Robsart, and to have given himself up, in a great measure, to the enjoyment of those rural sports in which he was so proficient. On the death of Queen Mary, in November 1558, Sir Robert Dudley rode to Hatfield, " mounted on a snow-white steed, being well skilled in riding a managed horse," and paid EGBERT DUDLEY, EARL OF LEICESTER, SIXTH MASTER. 63 his homage to the Princess Elizabeth on his knees. At this time he is said to have been furnished with all possible advantages both of mind and body. His person was comely, and well proportioned, his countenance open and liberal, his bearing affable and engaging; and to these were added a graceful action and delivery, and such an absolute command of temper, that he could naturally adapt himself to every one's humour or designs, as he saw occasion. Thus when he pre- sented himself so opportunely before Elizabeth, his beauty, stature, and florid youth were such powerful recommendations, that she then and there nominated him Master of the Horse, and confirmed the appointment by patent under the Great Seal, dated Westminster, January 11, 1559, by virtue of which he obtained a fee of 100 marks (66^. 13s. 4c?.) per annum, payable out of the Exchequer half yearly, at Easter and Michaelmas, by equal proportions, in as full and ample manner as enjoyed by his predecessors in that office. It may, however, be mentioned that he held this appointment subject to the Queen's pleasure, in contradistinction to the various other grants and offices that had been showered on him, from time to time, during the reign of his Royal Mistress, which were usually given to him for life, or to him and his heirs for ever. From this time the gay young knight (who bore the courtesy title of Lord Robert Dudley until he was advanced to the Earldom of Leicester in 1554) became a star of the first magnitude at the Court of good Queen Bess, with whom he was a prime favourite. It would fill volumes to recount the many parts he played during the twenty-nine years of his sway at the Court of Queen Elizabeth, as he had not only a finger, but a whole hand, in every pie from which a plum could be extracted. From the highest honours, the richest emoluments, the greatest grants, and the best monopolies, to the most trivial things imaginable, over which the Crown had any dispensation, were grasped by this avaricious courtier. In commerce he was the leading merchant of the era. His speculations in mines and minerals savoured of insanity. He adventured largely " beyond the seas," while, as a manufacturer 64 THE HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. at home, his mills were to be found at work in all parts of the kingdom. Yet he was every inch a gentleman ; a dashing horseman, an expert sportsman, a good scholar, a fine linguist, a patron of literature, science, and art, and kept a company of "poor players." With such a variety of discordant elements before us, it is necessary to confine our brief memoir of this Master of the Buckhounds to some of the leading incidents of his remarkable career. No important preferment was conferred on Lord Robert Dudley from the date of his appointment as Master of the Horse until June 3, 1559, when, "to the admiration of all men," he was installed a Knight of the Garter with great solemnity. Up to this time he was by no means well off" in a pecuniary sense, consequently he kept a sharp look-out for wardships, monopolies, and similar accessories whereby he could put money in his purse. His all-powerful influence with the Queen was suflicient to secure him those advantages, and as such pickings cropped up, his lordship carefully gathered them to- gether without exciting that jealousy which was certain to follow if he had flown at higher game. Little by little this profitable mode of acquiring wealth and influence went on, gradually increasing in magnitude, so much so, that shortly after he was appointed Constable of Windsor Castle for life (February 23, 1562), he obtained the exclusive monopoly of exporting all sorts of wool and woollen cloths, wood, corn, and minerals. His comparative poverty was apparently well known to the Queen, as in the autumn of this year (October 22, 1562) she gave him an annuity of 1,000^ for life. The following year (June 9, 1563) he obtained a grant of the manor and castle of Kenilworth, with other vast estates in Derbyshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Rutland, Carmarthen, Yorkshire, Cardiganshire, and Salop. About this time the projected marriage between Mary Queen of Scots and the Archduke Charles was opposed on political grounds by Elizabeth, who did not wish the alliance to take place. Deeming that the bearing and the accomplish- ments of Dudley would not fail to make a favourable impres- sion on her Royal cousin, she despatched him in the following EGBERT DUDLEY, EARL OF LEICESTER, SIXTH MASTER. 65 year on a pilgrimage of love, with instructions to cut out the Archduke, If he was successful in his suit, Elizabeth promised him that she would, with the authority of Parliament, declare Mary heir to the Crown of England, in case she died herself without issue. Owing, however, to the influence of France, the project was marred, and in the end Mary was married to Lord Darnley, On September 9th, 1564, Lord Robert Dudley was created Baron Denbigh and Earl of Leicester. The ceremony was performed in St. James' Palace in the presence of the Queen and all the high officers of State; and during the solemnity Her Majesty put on the Earl's robe of State, girded him with his sword of sway, and placed the coronet of dignity on his head, with her own right Royal hands. He was the last earl that was thus invested by the sovereign, the ceremony of investiture being abolished in 1615, when it was declared to be unnecessary ; and though the form of creation was thence- forth disused, it continued to be recited as the manner of creation until the reign of Queen Anne, shortly after which period a clause was inserted in all patents of earldoms, dis- pensing with the ceremony of investiture by express words. During this year the Earl of Leicester attended the Queen in her progress to Cambridge, where the Royal party were enter- tained by the heads of the University with great splendour, and during the Royal visit, the Earl (who had been elected High Steward in 1563) received the degree of M.A. The notoriety of these proceedings appears to have excited jealousy among the dons of the sister University ; and towards the end of this year (December 31, 1564) they appointed Leicester Chancellor of their alina mater — a proceeding they repented of at leisure, as his lordship ordered great reforms in the statutes of the institution, and enforced a discipline repugnant to them, but to which they were obliged to conform. From about this period the Earl of Leicester became one of the greatest magnates in the land. On August .3, 1565, he obtained licence to have a hundred persons in his retinue. He lorded it like a feudal baron of the old regime, yet he found it difficult to make both ends meet; and in order to defray 5 66 THE HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. the heavy charges of his almost regal establishments he was obliged to part with many a fat manor. Thus within this year he alienated Hamsby, a splendid estate in Norfolk, to Sir Thomas Gresham, his great rival in commercial pursuits. However, Court favours continued to pour upon him. In June 1556 he obtained vast grants of lands in Warwick, Somerset, Herts, York, Denby, Lincoln, Beds, etc., and on July 2 he was appointed Chamberlain of the County Palatine of Cheshire for life. During this year he received the Order of St. Michael from Charles IX., King of France, and was invested with it in the Chapel Royal at Whitehall with all the magnificence worthy of the occasion. No Englishman had ever been admitted before into this order, except King Henry VIII., King Edward VI., and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Leicester, in his capacity of Chancellor, received the Queen on the occasion of her first visit to Oxford, in 1566. The royal sojourn extended over seven days, during which time Her Majesty was magnificently entertained, all the entertain- ments having been excellently carried out under the earl's supervision. He received great praise for his pains from his royal mistress, with whom he was then held in the highest favour. However, on the return of the Court to London, he indiscreetly advocated certain measures in Parliament relating to the Royal succession, whereby he incurred the Queen's displeasure, and for some time he was excluded from the Presence Chamber, and prohibited access to her person. But this hitch was soon adjusted, and the Earl again became the Queen's prime favourite. On November 28, 1567, he obtained a licence for twenty-two years for transporting all sorts of wood and timber growing in Shropshire. In 1571 he secured the reversion of the chief stewardship of Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire for life. He was appointed Master of the Royal Buckhounds on May 28, 1572, with a yearly fee of S3l. 6s. 8d. for life, which office he held to the day of his death. About this time some serious disputes took place between the Arch- bishop of Canterbury and the Earl of Leicester relating EOBEKT DUDLEY, EARL OF LEICESTEE, SIXTH MASTER. (37 to the goods of the Church. The Archbishop got the best of the arguments, but the Master of the Buckhounds got the temporalities in question, which he appropriated for his own personal uses. The following year (April 20, 1574) he obtained another vast grant of Crown lands in various counties in sundry parts of the kingdom; and on July 19 ensuing he received a grant of the old palace of Maidstone, with other estates in the county Kent and various other locali- ties. Some of these manors were soon after sold to different persons, and on February 13, 1575, he got licence to alienate the manor of Cumnor, county Bucks, to Henry Lord Norries, where his first wife, the Countess Amy, was done to death. The Queen gave him another annuity of 1,000^. a year for life by patent, dated Westminster, July 17 of this year, and two days after- wards he obtained a very considerable grant of lands in Mon- mouthshire. He was appointed Chancellor and Chamberlain (camerar) of North Wales, where he had large mineral works and plenary mining monopolies, by patent dated September 26, 1575. It was in the summer of this year that he entertained the Queen at Kenilworth. Admitting the Royal visit entailed the heavy expense attributed to it, the magnitude of the grants the Earl received from the Queen during this year alone must have been ample recompense, and well repaid the cost of the festivities at Kenilworth. At this period the Earl of Leicester had many avowed enemies, and some rivals who aspired to supplant him in the mighty Court favour which he so absolutely controlled, having met with a sudden and unexpected death, were said to have been poisoned by his means. But to the impartial investigator of those intriguing times, little, if any, justification will be found in support of such charges, which most likely were the outcome of envy and disappoint- ment. At any rate, the Master of the Buckhounds continued in the favour of his sovereign until the arrival of the Duke of Anjou's ambassador in October, 1578, to negotiate a marriage contract between the Duke and Elizabeth. This envoy ex- celled in the accomplishments of a courtier — his manners, his wit, and his gallantry made an irresistible impression. Aware 68 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. that his chief obstacle was the influence which Leicester possessed over the Queen, he made it his first object to wean her from her afiection for that nobleman, by disclosing to her the secrets of his amours, and informing her of his recent marriage with the relict of the late Earl of Essex, a marriage hitherto concealed from her knowledge. The Queen was mortified and irritated. Leicester added to her displeasure by his indiscretion and impatience. He attributed the influence of the envoy to philters and witchcraft, and occasionally let fall threats of personal vengeance. But the Queen ordered him to be confined at Greenwich, and by proclamation took under her special protection all the members of the Duke of Anjou's embassy, and subsequently invited Anjou to plead his own case, which he promptly accepted. He was favourably received, apparently prospered in his suit, but eventually, in deference to the wishes of her subjects and her council, Elizabeth declined his offer, in the determination to sacrifice her own happiness to the tranquillity and welfare of her kingdom. Before the Duke of Anjou returned to Antwerp the Earl of Leicester was restored to favour. In the meantime he acquired the manor of Wanstead and other large tracts of land in Wood- ford, Walthamstowe, Leyton, and Ilford, in the county of Essex. These properties were soon after augmented by further grants of land in Staff'ord, Wilts, and Herts, besides several rich wardships that had fallen to the Crown during this interval. He was appointed custodian of the New Forest and all the Crown lands in the county Southampton for life, by patent dated June 25, 1580. The following year he obtained various grants in England and Wales, including a lease for twenty-one years of the demesne lands of Grafton, county Northampton- At the same time he alienated some portion of his estates, including the manor of Gravesend, county Kent, This will not cause surprise, for the establishments he kept up were various and vast, and everything he did necessitated an enormous expenditure of money; and with this Master of the Royal Buckhounds it was " easy come, easy go." ROBERT DUDLEY, EARL OF LEICESTER, SIXTH MASTER. 69 When the Duke of Anjou definitely decided to return to Antwerp, the Queen, to make up for having jilted him, resolved to see him off with befitting dignity. He had been elected King of the Netherlands, and his subjects were clamouring for the presence of their new sovereign. On February 1, 1582, the Duke, accompanied by the Queen and a splendid retinue, departed from Greenwich en route to Sandwich, from which port he was to embark to Flushing. At Canterbury Elizabeth parted from him in tears. As he pursued his journey he received from her repeated messages of inquiry after his health; and for greater distinction she ordered the Earl of Leicester, with six lords and as many knights, and a numerous train of gentlemen, to accompany him, not only to the seaside, but as far as the city of Antwerp. On his arrival there he was solemnly invested with the ducal mantle as Duke of Brabant, and afterwards at Ghent was crowned as Earl of Flanders. During the summer, aided by England and France, he opposed with chequered success the attempts of the Prince of Parma ; but observing that the States were jealous of his followers, and that the real authority was possessed not by himself but by the Prince of Orange, he conceived the idea of giving the law to his inferiors, by seizing most of the principal towns in the country. However, the attempt failed in almost every instance, many thousands of his followers were slain, and he escaped, disheartened and ashamed, into France. His death on June 10, 1584, freed Queen Elizabeth from a passion which might have led her into a repetition of her amour in that quarter, and removed the greatest rival in her affections that Leicester had ever encountered. On his return to England, the Earl of Leicester was gra- ciously received at Court, where he resumed his normal duties, and continued to be the recipient of remunerative emoluments which still flowed upon him with a prosperous tide. Thus, during the year 1582, he obtained, jointly with John Morley, Esq., a grant of every cloth-mill that could be appropriated, for their sole use and benefit throughout the country ; and on December 16, the former obtained an acquittance from the 70 THE HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. Exchequer of 5,000/. touching the purchase of the lordship and manor of Denbigh ; for which he obtained a clear grant on January 15, 1584. In political projects he took some active steps, as in the course of the last-mentioned year he prevailed upon the nobility and gentry to subscribe an association to pursue unto death whomsoever should attempt anything against Queen Elizabeth. This association was subsequently approved by Parliament, and a law was passed to carry it into execution. This enactment proved the ruin of Mary Queen of Scots, and the heads of the Roman Catholic party in England. On October 2, 1585, the Earl of Leicester was appointed Captain- General in Holland and Zealand in the English expedi- tion to the Netherlands ; and on the 22nd of the same month he was further nominated Lieutenant and Commander-in-Chief of the forces in Belgium. He embarked on December 8, and on the 10th arrived at Flushing, where he was received with extraordinary and long-continued rejoicings. The Queen, too, herself, absolutely refused the sovereignty of the United Provinces; but Leicester was induced, without consulting her, to accept the office of Governor and Captain -General of the country. On January 25, 1586, he was solemnly installed at the Hague, taking an oath to preserve their religion and main- tain their ancient rights and privileges, whilst the States- General and other persons in authority bound themselves by an oath of fidelity to him. On the same day proclamation was made consummating those proceedings, and declaring that the Earl, over and above the authority given him by the Queen, had the highest and supreme command, and absolute authority'' above and in all matters of warfare, with the administration and use of policy and justice over the United Provinces ; with all such powers as any former governor of the Low Countries had possessed, and with authority to receive and administer all contributions towards the maintenance of the war. This high-handed conduct aroused the Queen's indignation, nor could Burghley, Walsingham, and Hatton mitigate her fury. She despatched Sir Thomas Heneage to the Low Countries with instructions, the subject of which was that Leicester was to EOBEET DUDLEY, EAEL OF LEICESTER, SIXTH MASTEE. 71 resign his authority with the same publicity with which he had received it. Heneage's instructions being subsequent!)^ somewhat modified, Leicester continued to retain his office for some time; but the States became uneasy and discontented. Having formally surrendered his authority, he embarked for England, arriving at Richmond on November 23, 1586. Not- withstanding all that had passed, His Excellency (who was the first Englishman that was so styled, this appellation of dignity having been conferred upon him by the Flemings), was well received by the Queen, who soon after constituted him chief justice in eyre of all the forests south of Trent. During the following year he received a royal warrant upon the Exchequer for 26,000Z. on account of Her Majesty's service, for his second expedition in the Low Countries. He also, by virtue of a like warrant, obtained 5,000^. due to him for furnish- ing 250 horses in that expedition, " after the rate of 2,000Z. for every hundred horses." This would be at the rate of 20/. a horse — a sum, in all probability, equivalent to about 200/. a horse in modern currency — an exorbitant price to pay for cavalry remounts, provided the expenditure had been incurred by any other person than the reigning favourite ; but he could silence any audit or expostulation in the Exchequer under this head, as the account was duly passed by the Master of the Horse — i.e., himself. In the meantime the Earl of Leicester had resumed his former sway at the Court, and exercised the authority invested in him as the Master of the Buckhounds, and in the multi- farious offices he held under the Crown. Nor was he content with those sweets of office. No vacancy was too large or too small for his avarice. For instance, we find him securing a Crown lease to farm the manor of Great Soukey, county Lan- caster, in reversion for thirty-one years from March 1, 1587; and on June 21, following, by another grant he secured all the fines on alienations " paid into the Court of Chancery for three years from March 25, last past," And here it may be noted as a singular circumstance that this, the most limited emolument which he ever had from the Crown, outlived him. However, i2 THE HISTOET OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. he had no thought of death, as five days after he had secured the rich chancery fees, he was made Lord-Steward of the Household for life. About the end of the same month he was sent to Zealand with a considerable force for the relief of Gluj's. The loss of that important town revived the misunder- standing between him and the States, who refused to re- establish him in the absolute authority he had formerly enjoyed, and the Queen recalled him by an instrument dated November 9, 1587, at the same time appointing Lord Willoughby Captain-General of her forces in those parts. On Leicester's return to England the Queen again admitted him into her former grace and favour, and Lord Buckhurst, who had accused him of misconduct in the management of affairs in the Low Countries, was censured, and confined to his house for some months. On the apprehension of the Spanish invasion, the Earl of Leicester was appointed Lieutenant-General of the forces which assembled at Tilbury. He also solicited the office of Lieutenant of England and Ireland, which the Queen consented to grant him ; but his patent was stayed in consequence of re- monstrances from Sir Christopher Hatton, the Lord Chancellor, and Lord Burleigh, the Lord Treasurer, who represented to Her Majesty the hazard she would incur by entrusting such large and unheard-of powers to a single person. Apart from this disappointment, his various other posts kept him fully occupied, particularly the onerous duties and responsibilities attached to conducting the defence of the country during the then imminent invasion. In a quaint epistle from Leicester to the Queen, which unites in a remarkable manner the character of a love-letter with a Privy Council minute of instructions, he completely'" directed Her Majesty's movements, under the veil of flattering anxiety for her safety. By this means he en- deavoured to induce the Queen to make Havering her head- quarters. This was fourteen miles from Tilbury, where the advanced lines of the defensive forces were encamped, and from this basis of operations he could control the whole army with- out the interference of the Queen, who was generalissimo in KOBEET DUDLEY, EAEL OF LEICESTEK, SIXTH MASTEE. 73 command. Although he sought to keep her in the rear, and thus gratify his inordinate ambition, she proceeded in martial pomp to Tilbury, and there reviewed the royal forces, by whom she was received with sincere manifestations of loyalty and reverence. This event has been considered the most inter- esting in her life. Never, certainly, did she perform her part, as the leader of a heroic nation, with such imposing effect as on that occasion. She was then fifty -five years old, and had borne the sceptre and the sword of the Empire for thirty years. The destruction of the Armada delivered England from all immediate apprehension; the camp at Tilbury became a sylvan court ; the Royal Buckhounds were brought upon the scene to contribute to the pleasures of the gallant defenders, but, sad to say, the grand old style of hunting at force had then given place to the indolent method of driving the deer to " stands," from which the Queen and her courtiers fired as the quarry fled by. The records of the Court of attachment, which was held at Chigwell in those days (when Waltham Forest extended over immense tracts of Essex now disaf- forested), circumstantially record what bucks were shot by the Queen and the ladies and gentlemen of her suite on these occasions ; and, alas ! the fee bucks that were given to the Sergeant of the Buckhounds '•' in consideration that he hunted not," is an indelible satire of the venatic predilections of the Court. About the end of August the Earl of Leicester set out from London to Kenilworth, but on his way stopped at his house at Cornbury, in Oxfordshire, where he was taken ill, and there breathed his last on September 4, 1588. Up to the day of his death he carried the official horn of the Royal Buckhounds ; and although all the high offices of State which he had held during his career devolved on his demise upon other nobles and magnates of the Court, the Queen declined to appoint any one to succeed him in the Mastership of this branch of the pack, which remained vacant until Sir Thomas Tyringham obtained it from James I., soon after that monarch ascended the throne of England. 74 THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. The Earl of Leicester was married three times : firstly, to Amy, daughter of Sir John E-obsart, June 4, 1550, when the nuptials were honoured with the presence of King Edward VI., who has recorded that after the ceremony certain gentlemen strove who should first transfix with a sword on horseback the head of a goose hung alive across two posts. It is said that the Earl married, secondly, Lady Douglas Howard, widow of John, Lord Sheffield. The fact of this marriage is not free from doubt, and occasioned great controversy. By this lady he had a son (who was titular Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland, a notable sportsman, and said to be the first person " that taught a dog to sit in order to catch partridges ") and a daughter. He married, thirdly, Lettice, daughter of Sir Francis Knollys, K.G., and widow of Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex. By her he had a son, Robert, called Lord Denbigh, who died July 19, 1584. By his will, made at Middleburgh, August 1, 1587, he appointed his widow sole executrix; and expressed in strong terms his fidelity and duty to the Queen, to whom he bequeathed three great emeralds, several diamonds, and a rope of fair white pearls to the number of six hundred. This Master of the Buckhounds enjoyed extraordinary power for nearly thirty years. There was no part of the kingdom in which he had not extraordinary influence, and in the counties around Kenilworth almost everything was dependent upon him either through hope or fear. It is almost impossible to enumerate all the local and subordinate offices which he held. They must have greatly strengthened his parliamentary influence, and he seems to have been a perfect master of those arts to which a subsequent age gave the appellation of boroughmongering. He had the sagacity to perceive the growing importance of the House of Commons, and took care to fill it with his dependants, and persons devoted to his interest. He was a patron of literature, the drama, and the arts, and, being well aware of the advantages of trade and commerce, warml)^ encouraged those voyages of discovery which redounded so greatly, if not to the honour, to the advantage of the kingdom. Of his mining operations, cloth and woollen manufactures, and STATE OF THE PACK TO END OF ELIZABETHS EEIGN. /O his monopolies, we have ab-eady given ample evidence. In short, there was no opportunity for the acquisition of wealth or influence that fell to his dispensation as minister of the Crown which he did not embrace for his personal use and benefit. Yet he was looked upon as a finished courtier in every respect. Elegant in his dress ; liberal in his way of living ; bountiful to soldiers and men of letters ; very adroit in choosing his time and carrying his point ; complaisant in his temper, but insidious towards rivals ; amorous in the former part of his life, but in the latter uxorious to a strange degree. As for the rest, as he preferred an envied height of power to solid virtue, he furnished matter for a multitude of malicious detractors to descant upon, who, even in the zenith of his glory, failed not to prosecute him with their libels, which were mixed with abundance of untruths. To sum up all, the Earl was a statesman for his own ends, and what was said of him in public had the air of praise and panegyric ; " but in piivate, and where people durst be free," he was represented in quite a different light. Thanks to the author of " Kenilworth," the Earl of Leicester has become one of the most familiar per- sonages of the sixteenth century ; nevertheless, there is hardly a circumstance in his career which the distinguished novelist has not misrepresented, either in chronological or historical accuracy. Although no one was appointed to fill the ofiice of Master of the Royal Buckhounds, appertaining to the Lord Chamberlain's department of the Household — which became vacant on the death of the Earl of Leicester on September 4, 1588 — until (Sir) Thomas Tyringham obtained it from James I. on June 21, 1603, there is no doubt that this branch of the pack, and the subordinate officers attached to it, continued to be sustained as usual during the remainder of Queen Elizabeth's reign. The annual accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber from 1589 to 1602 contain every detail relating to the officials, their several salaries, allowances for uniform, etc., as heretobefore recorded ; the total cost of the pack amounting, on an average, to about 140/. a year. During those fourteen years the 76 THE HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. Master's annual fee of '331. Qs. 8d. is conspicuous by its absence. In all probability the duties of the Master partly devolved on the Sergeant of the pack for the time being : Henry Harvey, Esq. (06. 1596), James Bond, Esq. (circa 1598), and Francis Joye, Esq., successively. Without going into details it may be noted, en passant, that Walter Dodsworth, one of the grooms to the pack from the time of Henry VIII., died in 1588, and was succeeded by " William Sale alias Dilly." Every particular bearing on the 'personnel of this branch of the Royal Buckhounds is thus circumstantially recorded. The fame acquired by those hounds, at the time now under notice, must have been notorious, as the following incident shows : When Sir Edward Wotton was sent on a special embassy to James VI., King of Scotland, in 1585, his best credentials to that sporting monarch were a draft of buckhounds from the royal kennels, and two race horses and four hunters from the royal stud. Unfortunately they were forgotten by the am- bassador. On his arrival at Edinburgh, James anxiously inquired for the hounds and horses. Wotton was obliged to pretend that they were on the road ; and, to remedy the blunder, he had to despatch a special messenger in hot haste to Sir Francis Walsingham, with a missive directing him to forward the hounds and horses without delay to the King. " Since his mynd doth so runn vpon them & he put in head of some in coming, the want of them might breed conceiptes which the adverse partis would work vpon." Wotton adds that he had also written to the Earl of Leicester as earnestly as he could to send six or seven couples of buckhounds, and urged Sir Francis to take order for their transmission " with all convenient speed." These hounds and horses soon after arrived in Edinburgh, and were formally presented on .lune 12 to the King, who declared them to be "the rediest hounds and horses that ever he had seen." This novel stroke of diplomacy had the desired effect ; the ambassador's object was instantly attained ; and, it is said, the King immediately after left his capital, the cares of State, and his own mother's fate to the tender mercies of her avowed enemies, for the LADIES IN THE HUNTING FIELD. 77 hunting fields of the Fife of Falkland, there to practically test the Elizabethan present " in hunting of the buck." In all probability there were many similar requisitions made on the Royal kennels from time to time, as draughts of those hounds were frequently presented to foreign potentates and other distinguished personages at home and abroad. And in order to keep the Royal kennels " well replenished " in such essential accessories of the chase, the Sergeant of the Buck- hounds had a warrant authorising him to seize any hounds he chose "for Her Majesty's disport," as well as " horses, mares, and draughts for the carriage of the said hounds from place to place." It is therefore evident that this branch of the Royal Buckhounds was kept up to its normal efficiency, sans the Master; and there is no reason to suppose there was any diminution in the number of meets, or any falling off in the sport the pack gave to its followers during the last years of the reign of good Queen Bess. Unfortunately the records of such meets and runs are few and far between ; little or no notice was taken of such common-place events by the chroniclers of those times. Nevertheless we ascertain that the Queen con- tinued to patronise the hunt with her presence. Marshal de Bassompierre, happening to be at Calais in 1601, his friend, the Duke de Biron, " debauched " him into an excursion to England. Bassompierre got no further than London. Queen Elizabeth being then at the Vine in Hampshire, Biron followed her thither, and had the pleasure of seeing Her Majesty " hunt, attended by more than fifty ladies, all mounted on hackneys." * * Stowe gives a different account of the Duke de Biron's visit to Hampshire, to the following effect : " The fourth day [September 9] after the Queen's? coming to Basing, the Sheriff was commanded to attend the Duke of Biron at his coming into that county. Whereupon, the next day being the 10th of September, he went towards Blackwater, being the uttermost confines of that shire towards London, and there he met the said Duke, accompanied with above twenty of the nobilitie of France, and attended with about four hundred Frenchmen. The said Duke was that night brought to the Vyne, a fair large house of the Lord Sonds, which was furnished with hangings and plate from the Tower and Hampton Court ; and with seven score beds and furniture, which the willing and obedient people of the county of Southampton, upon two days' warning, had brought thither, to lend the Queen. The Duke abode there four or five days, all at the Queen's charges, and spent her more at the Vyne than her own 78 THE HISTOEY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. A few days after he returned to rejoin his friend in London, and after a further sojourn of three days the travellers returned to France — Biron to lose his life on the scaffold, and Bassom- pierre to risk his in the field, and hardly less often in the intrigues of the Court. However, after many vicissitudes, he lived to represent his country at the Court of Charles I. This incident is important, as it establishes an irrefutable authority that the chase was patronised by the fair sex nearly three hundred years ago, and, as we shall have occasion to record hereafter, many ladies, fair and famous, continued to follow the Royal Buckhounds in the days of yore as they do in our own times. On March 23, 1603, Queen Elizabeth died at Richmond, Court for that time spent at Basing. And one day he attended her at Basing Park at hunting, where the Duke stayed her coming, and did there see her in such Royalty, and so attended by the nobility, so costly furnished and mounted, as the like had seldom been seen." However, we get the official account of this royal hunting progress in the subjoined extracts from the returns of the Lord Chamberlain for the time being : " To Richard Conningesby for the allow'nce of himselfe, one yeoman vsher, three yeomen, and twoe gromes of the chamber, twoe gromes of the wardrobe, and one grome porter, viz., for makeinge readie a standinge in the little P'ke at Windsor against y^ huntinge there, for two dales, mense Augusti 1601, xxxis^ iiij''. For makinge readie M''. Meredithe's house at old Wyndsor for her Ma"<^ to dyne at when she hunted in the foreste, by like tyme eod. mense, xxix^ iiij'i. . . . For makinge readie Sir Robert Kennington's house at Barraper for a dynninge place by the space of twoe dales, mense Septembris 1601, xxix^ iiij'i. For makinge ready a^ Humphrey Foster's house at Aldermanton by the space of x<=" dayes, mense Augusti 1601, ix". xvj^ viij*!. For makinge readie the Lord Marques [of Winchester] his house at Basynge by the space of xiiij"' dayes mense Septembris 1601, xiij". x^ iiij''. For mukeinge ready the Lorde Sandes' house at the Vyne for the french Amhassadd'^ by like tyme mense ])red\(j^xiif\ xv^. iiij^. For makinge readie a standinge in Basynge P'ke for two dayes dco menseooxxiv^ iiij''. For makinge readie a chamber ouer the gate there for her highnes to dyne w'*' the Frenchmen by the space of iiijo"' dayes, mense Septemberis 1601,c« Ixxviii^. viij*^. For alteracons at Basynge in the presence and p'vie chambe''^ to retyre into after dinner by like tyme and in the same moneth,coxxxix^ iiij'i. For makinge readye the Ladye Marquesse, her house at Basynge for the Frenchmen to dyne by the space of twoe dayes, mense Septembris,col601 xxxix^. iiij*. For makinge readie the Chappie at Basynge by the like time,oo xxxix^ iiij*. For makinge readie S"" George More's house at Losley by the space of x<=° days, mense Septembris,ool601, ix". xxvj^ viij'^."— Accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber of the Household. E. L. T. R. Series 1, Box F, Bundle 3, m. 67fZ. MS. P.R.O. LADIES m THE HUNTING FIELD. 79 where she had frequently patronised the meets of the Royal Buckhounds during the last year of her glorious reign. Windsor, Eichmond, and Eltham were the favourite localities where she hunted in that year. But beyond the formal entries of payments made to the apparellers for her accommodation during those royal venatic excursions, there is little known about the sport. Doubtless the sport was worthy of the splendour by which it was surrounded. The grand old Queen delighted to mingle with her subjects ; they reciprocated that feeling on all occasions, and in no place did she more amply experience their loving homage and sterling loyalty than in the hunting-field or on the racecourse. The public at large were the Queen's body-guards, and to them she trusted her royal person with implicit faith. It is a well-known historical fact that when Vitelli was employed to assassinate her in the hunting-field, where, as he was truly instructed, she was to be always found without the yeomen of the guard or police of any denomination, that, on observing the silent homage and unmistakable loyalty of what we would now technically call the field, he relinquished his intention in despair, and so forfeited all hope of earning the pension and title of nobility which were guaranteed to him by his vile employers, as well as the im- mortality which he was told awaited him in the world to come. Elizabeth survived her death in the affection of her people ; they continued to keep up her birthday as if she still occupied that throne which many held to have been usurped by " an alien race," In course of time her successor became a most popular monarch with his sporting subjects, though, unlike Elizabeth, he objected to a crowded meet or a large field riding to his hounds. His predilection for the chase, and for field sports of all sorts, is well known to all who are acquainted with the rural annals of his reign. We have already had an example of the high esteem he had for the hounds and horses of the Elizabethan sporting establishment, and we may well conclude that he anxiously looked forward to the day when he would become the proud possessor of the royal studs, kennels, and mews, of '' the Land of Promise." 80 THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. CHAPTER IV. HEREDITARY BRANCH.— HENRY VIII.— CHARLES I. Sir Richard Pexsall,^ Tenth Master — Sir John Savage, Eleventh Master — Sir Pexsall Brocas, Twelfth Master. Dispute between James I. and the Master. — Critical Affairs of the Pack. — It is abolished by Royal Warrant. — The Functions of the Office conferred on the Sergeant of the Household Branch. — Order thereon for the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex. — Passing Events. — The Hereditary Pack given to Charles, Duke of York. — Sir Pexsall Brocas continues to receive the Emoluments of their Office.— The Hunt- Servants. — Thomas Brocas, Thirteenth Master. — The Manor of Little Weldon, and with it the nominal Mastership of this Branch of the Royal Buckhounds, sold to Sir Lewis Watson. The first payment to Sir Richard Pexsall, tenth Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds, occurs on the Pipe Roll of the county Sussex, for the 11th year of the reign of Henry VIII. (April 22, lolO^August 21, 1520), when he received 50L from the Sherifl:' of that county, due since the 4th Henry VIII. (April 22, 1512 — April 21, 1513), the payments on account of this portion of the pack having been often in arrears during the reign of Bluff King Hal. About this time George Hunte was the huntsman, and John Bland and Hugh Carter the yeo- men berners. This Master obtained part payments on account of the usual stipend allocated out of the issues of the county Sussex, in support of his office, pretty regularly to the end of the reign of Henry VIII. Lapses sometimes occur where the roUs are imperfect ; and as it is hardly necessary to go into these details year by year, it only remains to mention that Reginald Harrington was the huntsman, and John Massey and Thomas Cook were the subordinate officers of this pack for some SIR RICHAED PEXSALL, TENTH MASTER. 81 years before and for some years after the end of Henry VIII.'s reign. However, from the 34th regnal year of the reign of Henry VIII. (1542-43) to the time of Sir Richard's death in the 13th of Elizabeth (1570-71), he received the stipend of his office, amounting to 50/. per annum ; those payments having been derived from the issues of the county Sussex during the reigns of Henry VIII., Philip and Mary, Edward VI., and Elizabeth, except from the 9th to the 12th of Elizabeth, when the payments to him came out of the issues of county Surrey. Sir Richard Pexsall obtained a patent from Queen Mary, dated May 23, 1554, by virtue of which the office of Custodian or Master of the Royal Buckhounds, with the Manor of Little Weldon, etc., was confirmed to him, and also the office of ''Custodian or Master" of the Queen's " Privy Buckhounds." This document contains some very strong expressions reflecting on the institution of the Privy or Household branch of the pack by Henry VIII., which, if uttered during his reign, would, inevitably, have brought the tenth Hereditary Master to the block. His status as " Custodian or Master " of the Household branch, pursuant to this patent, seems equivocal, as he was not recognised or recompensed in the same manner as were his predecessors and successors holding the office of Master of the " Privy " or Household branch of the pack. On the death of Sir Ralph Pexsall, in 1540, his second and only surviving son, Sir Richard Pexsall, claimed all the family honours, etc., including the Hereditary Mastership of the Royal Buckhounds. This claim, however, was disputed by Bernard Brocas, Esq., of Alton, county Hants, the lineal heir, on the plea that when the direct male line failed on the demise of William Brocas, Esq., of Beaurepaire, in 1509, the Hereditary Mastership reverted to him as the lineal representative of the family, through Bernard Brocas, Esq., of Alton, second son of Sir Bernard Brocas, the second Master of the Royal Buckhounds. Upon this plea Bernard Brocas, the lineal heir, sued the Pexsalls, the heirs general, for Beaurepaire, and sixteen manors in the county of Southampton, besides other estates in Wiltshire, Northampton, etc. ; and for ending all contentions 6 82 THE HISTOEY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. espoused Anne, the eldest of Sir Richard Pexsall's four daughters and co-heirs, who (by will, dated October 19, 1571), having all bequeathed to her, brought the ancient seat and hereditaments into the name again, after it had for sixty-five years been possessed by that of Pexsall. But Sir Richard Pexsall's widow. Lady Eleanor, having married, secondly, Sir John Savage, he began a suit to upset the family settle- ments — a subject which we need not go into here, as it is detailed in Professor Burrows' volume, the upshot being that from the death of Sir Richard Pexsall, in 1571, to the year 1573 no payment was made by the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex to any Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds. During those three years the post seems to have been in abeyance. In the interval Sir John Savage married Sir Richard Pexsall's widow, and by the subjoined deed of settlement, he, as the holder of the fourth part of the Manor of Little Weldon, became, by the family arrangement, the " Hereditary " Master of the Buckhounds : — " This Indenture, made the three and twentithe dale of Male in the fifteenthe yeare of the reign of our sov'igne ladie Elizabeth by the grace of God, of Engiande, Eraunce, and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c., Whereas S"" John Savage of Clifton in the countie of Chester knighte vpon the one '¥''tie : And the righte honorable Edward Earle of Rutlande, John Manners of Haddon ui the countie of Derbie esquire, Roger Manners esquire, one of the Queene's Ma"^* esqviires of the bodie, and Richard Buckley of Chednell in citie of Chester esquire vpon the other '^'ortic Witnessithe that whereas John Jobson late of the citie of London esquire, aiid EKzabeth Jobson wife of the said John, one of the daughters and coheirs of S"" Richarde Pexall late of Barow per aP Bewre per in the countie of Southampton knighte lawfidlie conveyed and assured as well by fyne as otherwise the fourthe %*''tes of the manners of Bawrep aP Bewreper &c. . . . with theh appiirtenances &c. . . . And also the forth p'tes of the manner of Little Weldon with thapp'tn'ces, and tenne toftes, ten gardens, two hundi-ed acres of land, fFoure and twentie of medowe, two hundreth acres y*^ pasture, and tenne acres of woode with th'app'tence's in Little Weldon : And the foui"th p'tes of the Bailiewicke of the custodie or keepinge of the kinges Bucke- SIR JOHN SAVAGE, ELEVENTH MASTEE. 83 houndes, and fee of fyftie Pouiides by the yeare for the keepinge of the same Buckhoimdes to be paid yearlie by the hands of the Sheriffe of Suit' and Sussex in the countie of Northampton. ..." From 1574 to 1584 Sir John Savage apparently exercised his functions as the Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds, as he received 50/, per annum during those years from the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex, by virtue of this office. From 1585 to 1593 this post was again in abeyance, as no payment was made to any Hereditary Master until 1594, when Pexsall Brocas, Esq., succeeded to the office, the profits of which he held during the remainder of Queen Elizabeth's reign and in the reign of James I. Sir John Savage, knight, eleventh " Hereditary " Master of the Royal Buckhounds, the eldest son and heir of Sir John Savage, of Clifton, Cheshire, and Lady Elizabeth Somerset, daughter of Charles, first Earl of Worcester, enjoyed this office, temp. Elizabeth, from 1574 — 1584, by virtue of the deed of settlement dated May 23, 1573, as above set forth. During those ten years he received the sum of 50^. per annum from the Sherifis of Surrey and Sussex for his fee, and supplying the hunt-servants with their wages and liveries according to the customary regulations appertaining to this branch of the royal pack, as set forth (for instance) in the subjoined writ of Privy Seal and the entry of the payment on the Pipe Roll : — Pour Lez Buckhounds. Treshonor' Seigneur' violes faire ires de guarrante de sonbz' le privie seau de fire soveraigne dame la Royne Derect a le Vicecount de Surr' et Sussex pour faire payment dez issues de sa bailaye po"" lez gages des vennres et puture de chiens en manier de sonbz escrit. Oonftafavou- A John Savage mit. M*" dez Buckehoundes a Royne xij** le io'. A John Withers vealterer y** le io"". A AUano Bowet et Guillam GarcUn' valect barners chascn' de eulx j'^ ob'. le io'" pour leur gagies et pour le puture de vj lenryers et xxuij^'' chiens currants pour chascu de eulx ob' le io"". Comenceantz a la feast de sainct Michaell larchange dernivement passe Inques a xxiiij°'' io*" de Jugne lors pro- chaine ensuiuant lung et lautre io*^ accomptz pour prinst le puture 84 THE HISTOKT OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. cle XV chiens currants pour chascu de eulx ob le io"'. Et lez gages pour ang varlect barner pour xl io'' en quai'isme que anly seront au lez Constages du diet John Savage pour lez Statuts dull' ostiell mesme nfe Dame. Et anxi quitts faire paiement a diet John pour lez gages en la Cote vij*^* ob le io"". Le susdict John Withers vealterer ij'^ le io' et a diet Guillam Gardin' et Allano Bowett pour chascii de eulx j'^ ob le io^ pour leur gage, vj lenryers et xxiiij°'' chiens currants chascti de eulx ob le io"^ de xxv'^° io"" de Jvigne debant diet, tanq'' a xxix™° io"" de Septemb'' adunq"^ prochaine ensuivant lung et lautre io"^ accomptz. Et Veltre plus quil faire payment a diet John Savage pour cez deulx Robes, pour la xl^. Et a lez vealterers et Barn's poui* lure Eobes chascu de eulx xiij® iiij''. Et pour chamicz povir chascu de evilx iiij*. iiij''. pour Ian. Don' a la maneir de Grenwiche le xxv™° io"" de Septembris Ian le Reign' de nre soverigfie Dame Elizabeth '^ la grace de dien Royne dangliterr' ffraiic et direlands def endo'^' de la f oye xx"'*'. Ex™ p Gregor' Lovell, Clerc, Compt. A Treshono*" Seignfe gardian du privie Seau de nre Dame la Royne. The French of Stratford-le-Bow, which had been immortal- ised by Chaucer about the time when the Royal Buckhounds were instituted under the first Hereditary Master in the reign of Edward III., compares favourably with the language of diplo- macy " as she was writ " by the scribe attached to the Court of Queen Elizabeth, when he indited the royal commands to the Keeper of the Privy Seal, directing him to issue a writ to the Sherifi" of Surrey and Sussex to pay Sir John Savage and his staff the several sums due to them on account of the cost of this branch of the pack for the year 1578, as transcribed yer- batim et literati7)i above. The Lord Privy Seal acted promptly on his instructions, as we learn from an entry on the Memo- randa Roll of that year, as also from the following extract in the Pipe Roll, showing that the Sheriff, by virtue of the Privy Seal in question, paid out of the issues of the county of Sussex the sum of 50^. to Sir John Savage for the purposes therein set forth : — " Di Johi' Savage militi magro canu dne Regine niic '^ damis capiendi xij** '^ diem '^ vadii' suis extra cur' ac Johi' Wether veantr' SIK JOHN SAVAGE, ELEVENTH MASTEE. 85 ij'' '^ diem Alano Bowett & Wiitmo Gardiner valect Barus' utriq' eou' j'' ob '^ diem '^ vadiis suis & '^ putur' sex leporar' & xxiiij °'' canu curren' '^ quotts' ob '^ diem affesto Sci MichTs Arcbe' anno xx^° Begine buius usq' xxiiij ''° diem Junij tunc '^x sequen viltroq' die computato except putnr' xv canii currene' Et '^ vadiis unius valect barias' "^ xl dieb} in quadragesima qui erunt ad custodi dci Jobi' '^ statut bospicij diie Regne & eidem Jobi' '^ vadiis suis in cur' vij'^ ob'. '¥ diem Et '^'■fat' Jobi' Wether veante' ij^ ^ diem. Et f*'rfat' Alana Bowett & Wiitmo Gai-diner valect' barns' utriq*" ecu j*^ ob '^ diem W vadiis suis & '^ putur' sex lepoi-ar' & xxiiij°'' canii curren W quott' eou' ob '^ diem a xxv die Jvinii anno xxj'"" usq'' xxix diem Septemb'' tunc '^x sequen ultraq"^ die computato & '^'"fat' Jobi' ^ duab} Robis suis xP & '^ Robis diet veantr' & Barns' cuilt' eoii' xiij^ uy'* & "^ calcultar suis iiij** W diem viz de bomoi vadiis ffeodi & Robis '^ uno anno funt's ad ffestii Sci' Miches Arcbe' anno xxj™° Regine buius '^ JJ. '¥' '^'cessu uide & Cons' Baronu. in cons casii hit' & annotat' in memor'** ex '^te Remem Thes' de anno xv'"° Regine nuc Elizabeth viz int' precepta de termio sci Hitt Rotlo. In quodm '^ cessu tangen' Johem Pelham. Ac nup vie' com' '^dcor' de anno xiij™'' Regine '^dce. Ac '^ b're dfie Regine ntic de priuato Sigillo suo '^fat' vie direct' ac tras acquietafic Roberti Creswell ar' attornat' '^'dce' Jobi' de Recepcone."* Although we have not yet met with the actual — which was probably retained by the Sheriffs — Privy Seal (without the pro- duction of which the Hereditary Master could not recover his annual stipend, or the wages and other allowances of the hunt- servants under him, from the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex), we obtain all necessary details bearing on this branch of the Royal Buckbounds, in the instructions here recited, the recapitu- lation of the missing document in the Memoranda Roll, and the full statement above quoted from the Pipe Roll. It will thus * Pipe Eoll, 20 Eliz., membrane, sub. tit. " Item, Sussex." As above explained, this is the earliest reference we liave met with, in the sixteenth century, to the Privy Seal, by which the SherifE of Surrey and Sussex was warranted to pay the Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds, for the time being, the fees, etc., appertaining to tlie office, amounting altogether to 50Z. a year. It is obvious, however, that privy seals were issued to and received by the said Sheriffs for this purpose, as they are recited every time the payment was made, the first to Sir John Savage having occurred in the year 1574. 86 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. be seen that there was very little alteration in the constitu- tion of this part of the pack from the time of Edward III. to Elizabeth. As heretofore, the Master's fee was Is. a day and 21. a year for his official uniform, and 7hd. per day additional when he was in attendance upon the Court. The same number of hunt-servants were employed, their wages, liveries, and allowances being substantially similar to those enjoyed by their predecessors in office. The cost of the hounds' meat is set down at the same figure as given in the original ordinance. The total expense of this department of the Buckhounds amounted to 501. a year. In 1565 Sir John Savage built " a fair new house " at Clifton (afterwards called Rock-Savage), which his posterity have ever since retained. Sir John was a very prominent personage in Cheshire during many years in Elizabeth's reign. He was Sheriff of the county in 1560, 1570, 1574, 1579, and 1591, and Mayor of the City of Chester in 1569, 1574, and 1597. In 1567 he was appointed, in conjunction with Sir Hugh Cholmondeley and Sir Lawrence Smith, to view and make all the levies for the expedition then fitting out and subsequently despatched from Chester for service in Ireland. For this purpose the Commissioners had to borrow certain sums of money from merchants and other persons in Chester ; but it is doubtful if they ever recovered the amount thus obtained from the Treasury. In 1569 he and his brother magistrates of the county Palatine formally made declaration to the Council of having conformed to and accepted the Act of Parliament for the uniformity of Common Prayer, out of duty to the Queen, by whom was opened up to them " the plain path of virtue to their eternal salvation." Sir John continued to take an active part in similar local transactions relating to the county Palatine until his death, which took place on December 5, 1597, when he was, for the third time. Mayor of Chester. His descendants ascended, step by step, from knighthood, baronetcy, viscountcy, earldom, to the dignity of Marquis of Cholmondeley. This Sir John Savage married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Manners, Earl of Rutland, by whom he had five sons SIK PEXSALL BEOCAS, TWELFTH MASTEE. 87 and five daughters. She dying on August 8, 1570, he married, secondly, Elinor, relict of Sir Richard Pexsallj, but had no children by her, and in consequence of this alliance he became the eleventh Hereditary Master of the Royal Buckbounds from 1574 to 1584, during which time he received 50^. a year from the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex in support of the office, as above mentioned. Sir Pexsall Brocas, the twelfth Hereditary Master of the Royal Buckbounds, temps. Elizabeth, James I., and Charles I. — ^from 1584 to 1630 — was the eldest surviving son of Bernard Brocas, Esq., of Horton, county Buckingham, and Anne, eldest daughter of Sir Richard Pexsall, of Beaurepaire, county Hants. Professor Montagu Burrows, in his work on " The Family of Brocas, of Beaurepaire," tells us that young Pexsall Brocas was brought up with his father and mother at Ickenham, near London, from whence he was sent to Gray's Inn, of which he became a member. Before he came of age it seems he indulged rather freely in the dissipations of the Metropolis ; and, even after attaining his majority, he preferred life in London to hunting, home, and duty. Whether he claimed his right to the Hereditary office of Master of the Buckbounds or not when he came of age in 1584 we are unable to say ; but it is evident that no payment was made to him, by right of that post, by the Sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex, before the 36th year of Elizabeth's reign — i.e., in 1594. It consequently follows, so far as relates to the stipend usually allocated towards the support of this department of the Royal Buck- hounds, that it was financially in abeyance during those ten years. But in 1594 he received his first payment as the Hereditary Master of the Buckbounds — viz., 50^. This sum comprised the Master's fee of Is. a day for his wages, 21. a year for his livery, and the usual dole of 7^d. a day for his attendance in court. His huntsman, Thomas Browne, the two principal hunt-servants, Richard Mercer and Thomas Duke, received the usual remuneration, with allowances for uniforms, and for feeding and keeping the fifteen couples of hounds which constituted this portion of the pack. During the remainder 88 THE HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. of Queen Elizabeth's reign Pexsall Brocas continued to be paid 501. a year by the SheriS' of the county Sussex, as above recorded. In the meantime Pexsall Brocas married Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Sherley, of WistoD, county Sussex ; and was soon after elected M.P. for Steyning. These new responsibilities did not act as a curb on his wayward disposition, as he con- tinued to indulge in excesses, which got him into some serious scrapes. These transactions are related by Professor Burrows, and call for no recapitulation here.* However, some other events in connection with the office of this Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds, which are not given in Professor Burrows' volume, cannot be passed over. Thus, on January 27, 1590, we find he obtained a commission to take up hounds for her Majesty's service, "as heretofoi-e hath been accustomed"; the Sergeant of the Household branch of the pack and their several deputies being included in the commission. Doubtless those gentlemen continued to exercise the authority by which they were invested until the end of Elizabeth's reign, as shortly after the accession of James I. Sir Pexsall Brocas obtained a similar commission from the new King, by whom he was knighted at the Charter House, London, and in all probability the latter commission was given to him on that occasion, as it is dated May 11, 1603, the very day he was dubbed. At any rate. Sir Pexsall Brocas seems to have been on good terms with the King and the court favourites at this time, as his claim of the Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds was unquestioned, although his claim to officiate by virtue of his office at the King's coronation was not allowed.! At any rate, he invari- * Professor Burrows, in a letter to the Editor of the Times, dated November 8, 1892, says : " When Pexall Brocas came of age in 1584 he entered on the hereditary mastership mthout licence ; but Elizabeth established him in his rights in 1589. In 1698 and 1599 he deputed Sir John Stanhope to do his duties." We can find no official verification or confirmation of these allega- tions. Are we to infer that they are based on the " forged deeds " mentioned on p. 90 ? t He received a dole of scarlet cloth, value 51., out of the King's great warbrobe for his livery on the occasion of the state entry of James I. into London. CRITICAL AFFAIKS OF THE PACK. 89 ably received 50/. a year, by virtue of the sergeanty apper- taining to the Manor of Little Weldon, from the Sheriffs of Sussex, from this time until the end of the Kinor's reign. On the Pipe Roll of the 2nd James I. he is described as Pexsall Brocas, " late Esquire, now Knight," " magister canes regis " ; Thomas Browne, the huntsman, and Richard Mercer and Robert Duke, yeomen berners, being still the hunt-servants under him. Nevertheless, the affairs of the Hereditary branch of the Royal Buckhounds did not run smoothly. The ripple of dis- satisfaction which appeared on the surface of the establishment of this important adjunct of the Royal chase early in the reign of Henry VII. developed energy during the reign of Bluff King- Hal, producing, as we have seen, the Privy, or Household, branch — first as an auxiliary, soon afterward independent, and now, in the time of James I., in actual antagonism to the old, so-called, hereditary establishment. " Tempora mutantur ! " This branch of the Royal Buckhounds exhibited symptoms of decay early in the sixteenth century. Like the White Hart in the fable, although it was doomed to death early in the seven- teenth century, it was not destined to die at least for another hundred years to come. Throughout its history we find, from time to time, radical changes. Thus, under Edward III., when hunting " at force " became customary, and infused new life into the pleasures of the chase, the method then observed failed to meet the exigencies of the dashing horseman of the Tudor era, when led horses were introduced by Henry VIIL, and those who rode to the Royal Buckhounds. It is apparent the Hereditary pack did not meet the demands made upon it in those days. It may have suffered through the practical abolition of feudal service ; it must have been out of touch with a court whose headquarters were at Westminster and Windsor, where its Master was only obliged to appear in person during the forty days of Lent. These and other circumstances brought about a crisis in its fate soon after the accession of James I. We now find antagonism openly manifested between the two branches. Whether the Trojan Master of the Hereditary, or 90 THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. the Tyrian Master of the Household branch hath his quarrel right is a complicated question, and one for the jurist rather than the sportsman to determine. But the King took the part of the Household branch, and who durst gainsay the wisdom of the British Solomon ? According to the accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber of the Royal Household and contemporary warrants, it is evident that James I., as early as Midsummer 1603, was desirous to annex the Hereditary Kennel, so as to have those hounds under his direct control, with a view, probably, of amalgamating the two branches. At this time the King was not on bad terms with Sir Pexsall Brocas. For instance, in April 1604, he obtained a pardon for all riots and unlawful assemblies in which he had been implicated before the 20th of March last past, and for forging and publishing forged deeds, and of all forfeitures, due and depending, concerning the same ; but, soon after, affairs between them became invidious, and then ensued the rupture. It is possible that, at this time, Brocas was riding for a fall. At any rate, he offered no impediment when the administration of the Hereditary branch of the pack was practically taken out of his hands, and conferred upon Silvester Dodsworth, by a warrant under the signet, in August 1603. It is evident the Hereditary Kennel was not kept up to the maximum pursuant to the terms of the sergeanty, as certain drafts of buckhounds were requisitioned in the North of England, in order to " replenish " it. Moreover, the King had to find the money required to pay for the food of those hounds. This unsatis- factory state of affairs went on for five years. Then came a climax. On January 26, 1608-9, a royal sign-manual, by the King's command, was issued to the officers of the Household, " to forbear to make any warrant for a Privy Seal, to be directed to the Sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex, for the time being, for the payment of any sums and entertain- ment to Sir Pexsall Brocas, for himself and the keeping of a kennel of hounds, with offices appertaining, which, His Majesty's pleasure is, shall from henceforth cease." This was ABOLISHED BY ROYAL WARRANT. 91 a strong manifestation of royal wrath ; yet it was as mild asithe note of a hunting-horn compared with the ultimatum at the end of the King's letter : " And to insert in the said warrant instead of him (Sir Pexsall Brocas) the name of Robert Rayne, now Sergeant of the Buckhounds for that Kennel, requiring in the same, the said Sheriff to make all payments, mentioned in the said Privy Seal, to the said Robert Rayne, until His Majesty's pleasure be signified to them to the contrary." To conform with the King's arbitrary behest would be illegal, as, pursuant to the Patent of the 27th Henry VI., no one, other than the holder of the Manor of Little Weldon, was entitled to receive the stipend appertaining to the Hereditary Master of the Royal Buck- hounds, and payable to him. in that capacity by the Sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex, for the time being. Without going to such an extreme, the King had the power of effectually stop- ping the Hereditary Master's annual stipend by simply withholding the Writ of Privy Seal. Without that warrant the Sheriff would not be authorised to pay the stipend levied on the issues of those counties. On the other hand, the fact of Robert Rayne having been foisted into the office held by Brocas, clearly indicates that the Hereditary Mastership was, at this time, practically considered obsolete. This opinion, how- ever, did not invalidate the financial obligations incidental to the office, nor did it affect the sergeanty of the custody of the hounds appertaining to the Manor of Little Weldon ; for, so long as the writ of Privy Seal could be obtained, the stipend could not be withheld, provided the Sheriff could raise sufficient money to meet the claim. That this view of the case was ultimately adopted (when calmer councils prevailed, after the storm had subsided) is manifested by the fact that Sir Pexsall Brocas obtained his Privy Seal, and the Sheriff of Sussex paid him 50/. by right of his office in 1610. At this time Thomas Brown was still the huntsman, and Richard Ailiff and Robert Duck the yeomen berners of this branch of the pack. Robert Rayne continued to officiate as sergeant of the 92 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. Hereditary branch of the pack ; but whether his control ex- tended to the whole or to only a portion of it is uncertain. He enjoyed the same privilege and power as Silvester Dodsworth and Sir Pexsall Brocas previously exercised, with free ingress and egress to hunt in any grounds, parks, forests, and chases belonging to the King or his subjects, in order to train hounds. And he obtained an annuity of 50/. a year for life, over and above his salary, emoluments, and allowances, as set forth in the accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber. This arrangement continued, without any material alteration, down to Lady-Day 1613, when the whole, or some portion, of the Hereditary pack and a draft from the Privy or Household pack was formed into a separate kennel for Charles, Duke of York. Timothy Tyrrell, Esq., was appointed Master of it ; Robert Rayne still continued to act as the sergeant. The other hunt-servants and some particulars of this pack are given in our Memoir of Sir Timothy Tyrrell, therefore it is unnecessary to further allude to it here. It reappears again when it was incorporated in the Household branch on the accession of Charles I. in 1625. The annual stipend of 50^., which had been paid by the Sheriffs of Sussex to Sir Pexsall Brocas, without intermission, from 1594 to 1625, terminated with the end of the reign of James I. No further payment was made to this Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds until the 3rd year of Charles I.'s reign (1627-8), when he received the sum of 50L out of the issues of the county Sussex, which is the final payment to him recorded on the Pipe Rolls. At this date Edward Remington was the huntsman, and Thomas Chaddock and John Mancell or Morrell were the two yeomen prickers appertaining to this branch of the Royal Buckhounds. Thus, during the thirty-six years that Sir Pexsall Brocas held the Hereditary office of Master of the Buckhounds, we find the annual fees allocated towards the support of this branch of the royal pack were in abeyance for fourteen years — viz., from the 26th to the 36th Elizabeth, and the 1st and 2nd and the 4th and 5th of Charles I. It is impossible to satisfactorily account for the nonpayment of the money in the years above-mentioned. If the Master's THOMAS BROCAS, ESQ., THIRTEENTH MASTER. 93 title was good in the 3rd year of Charles I. it must have been equally valid in the two preceding and the two sub- sequent years. It is an obstacle we cannot negotiate, and the only way to clear it is by assuming that the Master was refused the writ of Privy Seal to the Sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex, and without the production of that warrant they were not bound to pay up. This document could be withheld by the King, and the Lord Privy Seal for the time being could fall back on many excuses, and refuse to stamp it, which would render it invalid. It is also possible in the latter years that the sheriffs may not have had funds to spare for these pay- ments, as many new claims were then being made upon their resources by the Crown, and the impending civil war had already cast its shadow on the land, to the great detriment of the chase and all its concomitants. We shall have many sad proofs of this presently, and it only remains to mention here that Sir Pexsall Brocas died in the 5th year of the reign of Charles I. (1630), leaving an only son, Thomas Brocas, the last of his family who bore the Hereditary insignia of the Royal Buckhounds. Thomas Brocas, Esq., thirteenth Hereditary Master of the Royal Buckhounds, from 1630-1633, the son and heir of Sir Pexsall Brocas, of Horton and Beaurepaire, county Hants, succeeded to the diminished estates and hereditaments of his family on the death of his father in 1630. His career was very uneventful, and calls for little notice at our hands. The vast estates once held by his ancestors had been gradually diminish- ing, and when he assumed the horn of this branch of the royal pack his territorial possessions were sadly curtailed. He sold the Manor of Little Weldon in June 1633, and with it the so-called Hereditary Mastership of the Buckhounds, which was held by the Brocas family for 270 years, passed by purchase to the Watsons of Rockingham Castle. In the meantime, Mr. Brocas, following the lead of other courtiers of the period, endeavoured to improve the shining hour in adding to his income by means of the monopolies which were a considerable source of revenue to Charles I., and to the favoured few who 94 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. participated in the spoil. Thus, on October 27, 1625, Thomas Brocas and Abraham Chamberlain obtained from the king a lease for twenty-one years of all mines of gold and silver in the county Kerry, Ireland, without rent to his Majesty for the two first years, and afterwards during the residue of the term rendering to the Crown only the tenth part of the clear gains of gold and silver derived therefrom ; and on February 6, 1626, Thomas Brocas obtained another grant of all the mines- royal in the said county for a further term of twenty-one years. It seems certain that this Hereditary Master of the Buckhounds did not realise a colossal fortune out of those gold and silver mines, as after he inherited his estates he was chiefly occupied in selling the remnants of the property left to him by his improvident father. With the exception of the Manor of Little Weldon those transactions are irrelevant to our subject, consequently it only remains to record that, during the three years which Thomas Brocas held the Hereditary horn of the Royal pack, he received the fees appertaining to the office from the Sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex for one year only — viz., in the 7th of Charles I. (1633), when he obtained the sum of oOl. out of the issues of the county Sussex ; Edward Remington being at the time the huntsman, and Thomas Chaddock and George Chase the other hunt-servants under him. As above mentioned, with the sale of the Manor of Little Weldon to Sir Lewis Watson, the Mastership of this branch of the Royal Buckhounds went to the new owners of that property, by virtue of the terms of the patent of the 27th Henry VI. This Thomas Brocas, Esq., married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir R. Wingfield, by whom he had seven sons and two daughters. He died in 1663. 95 CHAPTER V. HOUSEHOLD BRANCH.— J AMES I. 1603—1624. Annual Cost of the Pack during the Reign of James I. — The Master and the Hunt Servants. — Their Annual Salaries, Fees, and Emoluments. — Sir Thomas Tyringham, Eighth Master : July 21, 1604, to March 25, 1625. Queen Elizabeth died March 24, 1602-3,* when James VI., King of Scotland, became the reigning sovereign of England, Scotland and Ireland, under the style of King James I. On his accession to the dominions of England and Ireland, the Privy or Household branch of the Royal Buckhounds reverted to him, by whom it was probably esteemed as the greatest jewel in his diadem. Reverting, for a moment, to the state of this pack, as we find it constituted in the last complete account of the Treasurer of the Chamber, for the last whole year of Elizabeth's reign, ended at Michaelmas 1002, we ascertain that it cost the Royal Exchequer 164^. 6s. 7d. In this year, ended at Michaelmas 1602, Francis Joye, the Sergeant, was in the receipt of 22^. 16s. a year for his wages, and 13^. 6s. 8cZ, per annum for his livery and other allowances — for lymes, chains, collars, etc. He also * It is necessary to bear in mind that the dates of the regnal years are cal- culated from the accession of James I. to the English crown. Previous to September 1752, the Civil or Legal Year in this country commenced on March 25 (Lady-Day), whilst the Historical Year began on January 1. Consequently, according to the former computation, the reign of James I. commenced on March 24, 1602, and, according to the Historical computation, on March 24, 1603 ; nevertheless the second day of his reign, according to both systems, was March 25, 1603. 96 THE HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. received 13^. 6s. 8d. a year "for hounds meat for the said hounds." Thomas Forest, groom, obtained 61. 13s. 4cZ. a year. He had no livery. Robert Ducke, yeoman pricker, at 6d. a day for his wages, and 6^. 3s. 10c?. per annum for his summer and winter liveries, was paid lol. Qs. 4!d. Richard Mercer and John Broughton, yeomen prickers, had 151. a year each for their wages, and 11. per annum each for their liveries. Four grooms in livery — viz., William Sale, alias Dilly, Richard Monday, Thomas Murralde, and Anthony Duck received 61. 13s. 4 XT 1, rTo ALL to whom these presents shall come Baron Hompesh s ^ Release to the Queen | ^'^'^^.'''^''^ ^^''^^^* ^^™^ d'Hompesche sends iGreeting. Whereas there is due and owing unto me from his late Ma*'' King William the Third of Glorious memory the sum of Four hundi'ed and Sixty Eight pounds two 13 194 THE HISTOKY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. Shillings and Six Pence Farthing upon my Allowance of 234P "^ ann. payable in the office of Treafer of the Chamber as Master of the Buckhounds to his said late Ma*^ (to wit) from X*mas 1701 the time to which I was last paid to the 8th of March following, being the day of the demise of the said late King. Now Know Yee that I the said Reinhard Vincent Baron Hompesch for good and valuable causes and consideracons me hereunto moving have Eemised, Re- leased, and for ever quitt, claimed and do by these p'sent for me my Jieirs Executors Adm''^, and assign es and every of them clearly and absolutely Remise, Release, and for ever quit claim unto the queens most Excellent Ma*^ that now is her heirs and Successoi's, the said sum of 468" 2^ 6^"^. due and owing to me in the said Office of Treasurer of the Chamber upon my said allow'^'-' as Master of the Buckhounds to His said late Ma*^ as aforesaid. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the -^^ day of May in the 7th year of the Reign of her Ma*^ Anne, Grace of God Queen of G' Britain, France, Ireland, Defend'^ of the Faith, &c., Anno Dom. 1708. R. V. CoMTE d'Hompesch. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered, in the presence of Fr: Hare. A : Oardonnell.* The Baron was engaged in the battle of Ramillies and other hard fought fields during the Dutch wars, and subsequently became Governor of Geertruidenberg in 1731, a post he held to his death, which occurred in 1733. Now, having said so much of the two Masters of the House- hold branch of the Royal Buckhounds in the reign of William III., we must not omit to pay our little tribute to the memory of this inonarch solely as a sportsman. This is a difficult task, because, in the first place, there are so few particulars to be found on the subject in the literary remains of that era, and secondly, because the historical writers deal almost exclusively with the campaigns, military and political, which are so prominently associated with the reign of the only " glorious, pious, and immortal sovereign who has had- * Lord ChamhtrlaiiCs Rtcords, Assigyiments, vol. f f^, pp. 38, 39. WILLIAM III. AS A SPOKTSMAN, 195 the misfortune to reign over the only realm upon which the sun never sets and whose subjects never, never will be slaves." Notwithstanding these obstacles, we must here briefly state that William of Orange was every inch a sportsman. When the cares of state and the loud alarms of war permitted, he rarely missed an opportunity of participating in rural sports. He was a good shot at winged game, preserved pheasants, "wild Turkeys " (probably the capercailzie ?) and " such small deer " at Hampton Court, Windsor, Richmond, and other royal manors; he delighted in a main of cocks; was attached to "setting dogs "; went in for coursing ; patronised the Turf; bred his own " running horses " and backed them, occasionally, to the tune of 2000 guineas a match ; founded the Royal Stud at Hampton Court, and instituted royal plates to en- courage and improve the breed of horses. But what most concerns us here is William III. as a follower of the chase, mounted on a fleet horse in pursuit of the quarry. In the hunting field he must have had the appearance of a veritable masher, as he was supplied with sixteen " hunting cravats " a year. These consisted of 40 yards " of ground and looped lace," which, at M. 10s. a yard, cost him 180L per annum. (L. C. R. Bills, vol. 209, No. 11.) In all the mysteries of hunting he was thoroughly proficient ; he took great delight in it, both at home and abroad, and — like many a good and true man, before and after him — met his death in the hunting field when he was following the Royal Buck- hounds near Hampton Court on Saturday, February 21, 1702. Upon this point all contemporary authorities are unanimous. Macaulay, however, rejects this evidence, and does not attribute the accident which eventuated in the King's death to have been in any way connected with the hunting field. As it is hardly within our province to discuss this point, our object will be best accomplished by simply sub- mitting the subjoined versions, from which the reader can form his own conclusion : — " On the 20th of February William was ambHng on a favourite horse, named Sorrel, through the park of Hampton Court. He 196 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. ui-ged his horse to strike into a gallop just at the spot where a mole had been at work. Sorrel stumbled on the mole-hill, and went down on his knees. The King fell off, and broke his collar bone. The bone was set ; and he returned to Kensington in his coach. The jolting of the rough roads of that time made it necessary to reduce the fracture again. To a young and vigorous man such an accident would have been a trifle. But the frame of William was not in a condition to bear even the slightest shock." * — Hist. Eng- land, ch. XXV. '■ Kensington, Feb. 28. His Majesty had last week an un- happy Accident by a Fall from his Horse in Hunting ; but is, God be praised, very well again." — London Gazette, Feb. 26 — March 2, 1701-2. " As the King was taking the Divertisement of Hunting a Deer near Hampton Town on Saturday last his Horse slipt, so that His Majesty fell, and had the misfortune to hurt his Collar Bone, after which he Dined at Hampton Court, and at night came in his Coach to Kensington, where he rested well that Night, and did Hkewise on Sunday night."— Pos^ Boy, Feb. %\, 1701-2. " On Saturday last as the King was hunting near Hampton Court, his horse fell with him, by which His Majesty's Collar-bone was hvirt, but immediately set right again." — Flying Post, Feb. #j. " London, February 25. His Majesty is, God be thanked, very well, notwathstanding the fall he got on Saturday a Hunting." — The Post Man, February ||. " London, March 10. On the 8th Instant, about 8 a Clock in the Morning, King William III. of ever blessed Memory, departed this Life at his Palace of Kensington, after a Fortnight's Inchspo- sition. It was occasioned by his Horse's falling with him as he was a Hunting near Hampton-Court on Satiu'day the 21st of February last. . . . "—The Flying Post, March y^, 1702. " On Saturday last, as his majestie was hunting a stagg near Kingston upon Thames, his horse fell with him and broke his coUar bone ; which was soon after sett, and is now pretty well again, and is expected in few dayes at the house of peers to passe what bills are ready." — LuttreWs Diary, Februaiy, 1701-2, vol. v., p. 145. " The unhappy Accident that occassion'd his Majesty's Sickness * Macaulay does not give any authority for this statement. It would be interesting; to know the source from which it was derived. WILLIAM in. AS A SPORTSMAN. 197 was this. On the 21st of February being a Hunting near Hampton Court, his Majesty's Horse unfortvmately stumbling, fell down under him with great Violence, throwing him on a rising Ground, which broke his Collar-bone, and was immediately set again by his chief Surgeon. . . ." — The History of the Life and Reign of William III., King of Englayul, Prince of Orange and Hereditary Stadtholder of the United Provinces ... by John Banks, of the Middle Temple. London, 1744, 8'^., page 374. "Feb. 21, 1701-2. The King, though ailing, frequently hunted in the neighbourhood of Hampton Court Palace, where he was then resicUng. After the accident he is reported to have said to Dr. Bidloo that ' while I endeavoured to make the horse change his walking into a gallop, he fell upon his knees. Upon that I meant to rise him with the bridle ; but he fell forward on one side, and so I fell with my right shoulder upon the ground.' It is a strange thing, for it happened upon smooth level ground." — TindaVs History of England, suh dato. According to the evidence cited above there seems to be very little doubt that William III. met with the mishap in the hunting field, from the effects of which he died at Kensington Palace, between seven and eight o'clock, on the morning of March 8, 1702. At any rate he, like all the monarchs of this kingdom who bore the name of William, met his fate in the saddle. It is somewhat remarkable to notice that in the reign of William III. staghunting and buckhunting were synonymous terms.* Nevertheless the former phrase usually applied to the latter in its technical sense. Officially, " buckhounds " was invariably the term from the ea,rliest times down to the de- position of James II. ; and when the Hanoverians came in, the correct appellation of this pack had necessarily to be employed to distinguish it from the Royal Staghounds north of the Trent, and so on until that pack was abolished and suppressed by Act of Parliament in 1782. * It seems the Royal Harthounds were nominally amalgamated with the Royal Buckhounds, in the reign of William III., for the purpose of economy, and apparently placed under the latter Master and his staff. Hitherto these two packs were totally distinct : the former being partly supported out of the issues of Somerset and Dorset. In after times the Harthounds practically became a pack of Harriers. 198 THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. Now as to the horses upon which the King, the Master and the hunt servants were mounted when following the Royal Buckhounds, we find occasional mention of the hunters that were bought for this particular purpose in the Accounts of the Masters of the Horse from time to time. Still we cannot conscientiously make any positive deduction as to the exact number of horses employed in this service, or what they cost ; for in many cases some of them were bred or otherwise acquired by the Royal Stud,* and beyond the expenses in- cidental to keeping such therein, nothing further transpires.f With such scant materials to deal with, it would be useless to enter into speculations on this important and interesting adjunct of the Royal Hunt, therefore we must reluctantly pass the matter without further comment. Apart from the ofiiciating staff, some of the old surviving hunt servants con- tinued to enjoy their pensions ; | and upon the whole the 665 6 * The King's stables were full of magnificent horses " seized and taken of and from " the unfortunate Papists, who were prohibited by the Penal Laws to have or possess any horse above the value of 5Z. Indeed, it has been a tradition of long standing at the Eoyal Mews that the hunter on which William III. came to grief belonged to this category. £ s. d. t Dec. 25, 1692, to June 24, 1700.— John Rawlins, Esq., H.M. sadler, for goods delivered and work done for H. M. hunters and padds at Loo and the Hague March 22, 1692-3 to March 8, 1701-2.— 4 geldings for the King's huntsmen and others, at several rates . 10 horses for ditto, ditto .... 15 gelding for ditto, ditto 27 horses for ditto, ditto .... 1700 to Aug. 1702. — 2 Huntsmens horses . 2 bay geldings for the huntsmen 1 chestnut gelding for a huntsman 1 brown gelding, ditto .... 1 horse for a huntsman .... 1 grey gelding, ditto .... The following horses were bought in Holland in the year 1700 horse 364 guilders 8 stivers, 1 ditto, bought of the.Earl of Romney, 330 guilders, 1 ditto, 264 guilders, 12 stivers, 1 ditto, 236 guilders 5 stivers. J 1689. — The following " Hunting Grooms" to his late Majesty Charles II. were allowed and received a pension of £18 a year, each, in the year 1689, the same to continue during the King's (William III.) pleasure, in whose service 101 227 337 13 435 5 2 46 48 20 24 10 20 21 10 huntsman's WILLIAM III. AS A SPOETSMAN. 199 Royal Hunting Establisliment was maintained in a thorough state of efficiency towards the end of the reign of William III. If we may draw any deduction from such an insignificant matter as the cover for the Hound-van, we find an order for a new one issued almost every year. These covers were made of red cloth and embroidered with the King's arms at the four corners with silk. In these unsettled times, it is probable the Royal Buckhounds only met when opportunity permitted ; very little transpires as to the nature of the sport, as may be gathered from the subjoined contemporary reports : — The King took the Divertisment of Hunting on Friday about Hounslow, and returned at Night to Kensington. — April ^^. His Majesty went on Tuesday last to Richmond, and by the way he took the Divertisment of Hunting, and at night returned to his Palace at Kensington. — Oct. t-?. The King was at Richmond on Saturday last to take his Diver- tisment of shooting. — Nov. ^4, No, 239. 1697. On Saturday last the King took the Divertisment of Hunting about Branstead Downs. — 7/^^. o March '2 Mr. Stepney to Lord Lexington, London, November 21. — "The King got cold as he was hunting last Saturday. He had shivers last night as if he would have an ague, but to-day he is better." — Lexing- ton Papers, p. 15. 1698. I hear His Majesty designs to go on Saturday to Windsor, they were not employed. But in case any of them should be otherwise provided for, or in case of their death, their pensions were to cease and determine, viz. : Wm. Carpenter, Thos. Calcot, Christ. Sarnpson, Thos. Taylor. Geo. Burden and Rob. Franklin.— ^a;-?. 3LS. 5010, fo. 17-36, In this series we find the subjoined computation " of the charge and expence of the Horse Liveries, according to the following rates," viz. : Hay £4 per load, straw 30.S'. per load, oats 24.9. per quarter, beans 6s. per bushel, shoeing and medicining 2. Our Will and Pleasure is And We Mr. Lowen for Keeping / do hereby Direct Authorise and the Buckhounds £652 : 12 : 11 fComand that Out of Such our Trea- jsure as is or Shall be Imprested to You at the Rec*. of Our Excheq as Trearer of Our Chamber and for the Use & Serv*^^. of that Office You pay or cause to be paid unto Will™. Lowen Sen"", or to his Assignes the Sufhe of Six hundred fifty two Pou^nds Twelve Shillings & Eleven Pence in 254 HISTOKY OF THE BOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT BACES. Satisfaction of his Service care pains & Expences in looking after, keeping and maintaining Our Buckliounds free of all further Charge to us ; either for S'vants, horses or otherwise howsoever with in and for the Severall Periods of Time, hereunder menconed That is to say For keeping 30 Couple of Buckhounds, Servants and horses, from the 11th July 1715 the day on w'^'^ the Earl of Cardigan resigned his Office of Master of Our Buckhounds to X'mas ffollowing, the same being computed after the rate of 600^'' ^ ann., ^274 : 10 : 5. For keeping the like number of hounds, servants, hoi-ses, for one quarter from X'mas 1715 to Lady Day 1716 at the rate of 6001'' 1?' ann., £150. For keeping 20 Couple of Buckhounds Extroord''-^ to make up 50 Couple in all from X'mas 1714 to Lady Day 1716 being one year & a quar' at y'' rate of iij pence a day each hound for all Expences whoever, £228 : 2 : 6. Total £652 : 12 : 11. And for so doing this together with the Acquittance of the said William Lowen or his Assignes shall be as well to you for making the said payment as to the Auditor of Our Imprests and all Concern'd in passing and allowing thereof upon Your Account a Sufficient Warrant. Given at Our Court at S'. James's this 13th day of Aprill 1716 in the Second Year of Our Eeigne By His Ma*^. Command To Our Eight Trusty^ Will: S*. Quintin & Right Welbeloved P: Methuen Cousin Bodville Earl - T: Newport of Radnor Tre^er of Our Chamber — Lord Ghainherlain's Records, S.M.B., vol. ff^, fo. 107 Arrears due to the huntsman to Lady Day, 1716 : — William Lowen, the huntsman, for himself, servants, horses, and hounds, was paid by the Lord Cardigan to July 10, 1715. By the Treasury to Lady Day last : — The Yeomen Prickers and Harbourer was paid by the Loid Cardigan to July 10, 1715, at 80^. each Yeoman Pricker per annum, and 20?. to the Harbourer ; but then he found the Harbourer a horse. ANNUAL EXPENSES DURING THE EEIGN OF GEORGE I. 255 Due to John Hudson, from July 11, 1715, to Lady Day following, being 258 days at 801. per ann., 56/. 10s. To Robert Armitage, William Lowen, brother to the Huntsman, William Lowen, son to the Huntsman, at 66/. 10s. each ; and to Roger Webb, Harbourer, at 20/. per annum, 14/. 2s. Qd. — 240/. 2s. 6d. From Lady Day to Midsummer last : — To William Lowen, the Huntsman, 1 quarter, for himself, 6 servants, 9 horses, and 30 couple of Hounds, at 600/. per annum, 150/. For 40 additional Hounds, at 3d. per day each, 45/. 10s. (but these are to be reduced from this time) — 195/. 10s. Four Yeomen Prickers, at 20/. each, 80/. ; two Harbourers at 10/. each, .£20 (and they find their own horses) — 295/. 10s. One quarter to Michaelmas, 1716 : — To William Lowen, the Huntsman, 150/.; four Yeomen Prickers, 80/.; and two Harbourers, 20/.— 250/.— T. P., vol. 205, no. 38. According to another account the hunt servants were paid in full down to Michaelmas, 1716, 785/. 16s. 6ic/.— L. C. R. ; Sutl. B., vol. ff§, fo. 13 If/. 1717 William Lowen, huntsman, for himself, six servants, nine horses, and thirty couple of Buckhounds, at 600/. per ann., for one yeai', ending at Christmas, 1717 — 600/. John Hudson and three other yeomen Prickers at 80/. per ann. each for the same time — 320/. Roger Webb and John Webb, two Harbourers, they finding and keeping theii* own horses, at 40/. per ann. each for the same time— 80/. 1718 ditto, total, 1000/. 1719 ditto „ 1000/. 1721 do. for 1| years, ended at Christmas, 1721, 1050/. 4 yeomen prickers, do., 560/. 2 harbingers, do., 140/. 1722 do. for | of a year, ending at Mich. 1722 — do. 4 yeomen Prickers, at 80/. per ann. ; do. 2 harbingers — total for I year, 750/. 1723 ditto for a year ended Michaelmas 1723— total, 1000/. 1724 ditto for a year and ^ ending at Christmas 1724 — total, 1250/. 1725 do. i year to March, 500/. 256 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. 1726 do. for 1^ year, from Midsummer 1725 to Christmas 1726, 900^. 4 Yeomen Prickers for same time, ,£480. 2 Harbourers, Wm. Ives and Robt. Shorter, for same time, 120/.— total, 1500?. As may be gathered from the preceding summaries of these accounts the chief huntsman out of the annual allowance of lOOOL a year defrayed the whole cost of the pack as we find it on the establishment of George I. This sum covered the cost of keeping thirty couples of hounds, the wages of the hunts- man, six servants, nine horses, four yeomen prickers, and two harbourers. There were, however, contingent expenses, not included in the above calculations, such as pensions, fees to the keepers of Windsor and Epping Forests, cost of carting deer, extra horses, saddles, food for deer in Windsor, etc., etc., as indicated in the following extracts from the Accounts of the Commissioner of the Master of the Horse : — 1715-1717. A hunting mare and a pad 22/. Os. 9d. each, 1 hunting mare 27/. 8s. 3d, one ditto 16/. 14s. 9d., 1 ditto 13/. 3s. 1717-1719. WiUiam Lowen, sen., for 2 hunting horses, 25 Aug., 1717_64/. 10s. [Several saddle horses bought, but for what object not mentioned, in most cases.] A mare and 2 geldings for the chief hvmtsmen 67/. 16s., and 2 geldings 37/. 10s. 6d. New saddles, bridles, and other furniture for the accustomary new sets of sadlers' wares allowed yearly by way of livery to the huntsmen and other attendants upon his Majesty, etc. (various miscellaneous sums). 10 couples of Buckhounds 52/. 10s. For freight and other charges in sending to Hanover 5 horses, 10 couples of Buckhounds, and a Spanish pointing spaniel, 100/. 7s. Cost of 10 couples of Buckhounds 42/. 10s. (E. 33.) To the widdow and children of Wm. Lowen, late chief huntsman, 100/. ; of Edward Ives, late yeoman pricker, 40/. ; and of Robert Webb, harbinger, 20/. ; being hLs Majesty's allowance in lieu of all other pretensions whatsoever, by warrant dated the 31st of May, 1725-160/. ABSENCE OP HUNTING INTELLIGENCE. 257 To the several keepers of Windsor and Epping Forests for their fees for deer killed by his Majesty's hounds between the 10th of February, 1721-2, and the 25th of December, 1725, viz., 105 stags at 40s. each, 19 hinds at 20s. each, and 23 bucks and 2 does at 10s. each, by virtue of a warrant under the royal sign manual dated the 25th of October, 1721— 24H. 10s. To Charles Howard for the hire of teams of horses and men, and other expenses in removing stags and hinds from the paddock at Kensington to Swinley-rail walk in Windsor Forest in the year 1725— 57^. (R 33.) To Mr. Wm. Lowen for hay for the deer at New Lodge, Windsor Forest, from Midsummer 1713 to Midsummer 1717—219/. 16s. {Treasury Papers Letter Book, vol. xvi., p. 321.) Now, as to the sporting element. There are very few allusions to the proceedings of the Royal Buckhounds in the hunting fields to be found in the literary chronicles of those times. As in the past, political troubles militated, indeed we may say " crowded out," intelligence of passing events bearing upon our subject. Hence for the first two seasons following after the accession of George I. hardly a single word transpires upon the hunting of this pack. If the King ever went out with the Buckhounds the circumstance would probably be mentioned in the newspapers at the time, but they are absolutely mute on any such subject. Nevertheless George I. was a fairly good rider to hounds ; but, as we sliall subsequently have occasion to record, he showed a marked predilection for the chase in his native country in preference to that of his new kingdom. During the time that the ministers were carrying their measures in Parliament they had to struggle with the King's impatience to revisit his German dominions. It was in vain that his confidential advisers pointed out to him the unpopularity that must attend, and the dangers that might follow, his departure at such a crisis : their resistance only chafed instead of curbing his Majesty, and at length the ministers let go the bridle. In his absence the Prince of Wales was appointed Guardian of the Realm instead of Regent, an oflSce unknown in England since the days of the Black Prince. 17 258 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. At this time the Prince of Wales occupied Hampton Court Palace, where he principally held his court during his father's absence in the autumn of the year 1716. Although the season for buck hunting opened on Midsummer Day, the first inkling of it did not appear until the 21st of August, when it was announced that his Royal Highness and several of the nobility and gentry were then enjoying the chase in the vicinity of Windsor Forest. The following week the meets were held in Richmond Park, and in the ensuing one the Prince was hard again hunting at Windsor, where " a great concourse of nobility attend him." About the same time the King was reported to be hunting at Gohrde, Hanover. During the buck hunting season of 1717 the King was in England. On July 9 it was publicly announced that " Richard Barker, Esq., was made Master of his Majesty's Buckhounds," * but, if true, it was not ratified nor ever ofiicially confirmed. On the 19th the King went to Hampton Court, where he continued on and off the premises till towards the middle of September. While the court remained there a post went twice a day from London. Open house was kept for those who had business to transact, and something akin to regal state un- expectedly broke out. It is not our province to pursue the diurnal of this royal visit, except on occasions when it was associated with hunting. Unfortunately no news of the chase occurs until September 9, when the King " hunted in Windsor Forest and killed a brace of bucks, and afterwards dined at Cranborn Lodge, belonging to the late Earl of Ranelagh." At the end of the month the King and Court " departed hence " for Newmarket. Turning from the King's Court to its rival held by the Prince of Wales, it is somewhat satisfactory to notice that, although the King and the Prince were at daggers drawn on political issues, they were on good terms in the hunting field. Alexander Pope, in a letter to Miss Martha Blount, dated September 13, 1717, tells his fair correspondent that he had recently encountered at Hampton Court the Prince with all the maids of honour on * " The Historical Register," vol. ii. [iv.],- Chrou. Table, p. 30. IN FAVOUR WITH THE FAIR SEX. 259 horseback coming from hunting. He adds, " to eat Westphalia ham in a mornincj, ride over hedo^es and ditches on borrowed hacks, come home in the heat of the day with a fever, and (what is worse a hundred times) with a red mark in the fore- head from an uneasy hat ! all this may qualify them to make excellent wives for foxhunters and bear abundance of ruddy- complexioned children." Thus we learn that the fair sex con- tinued to follow the royal hounds as they were wont in past and future times.* 1718. — August 28. The King went from Hampton Court to Windsor to hunt. October 3 : " Stormy weather prevents the King hunting and shooting as he frequently do's at other times." In September the Prince of Wales and his children were at Richmond. On bad terms with his father. Rival courts very factious. Servants of the Prince's children not allowed to wear scarlet liveries ; only yellow ones permitted, " according to precedent." — 1719. The King absent in Hanover during the buckhunting season. Prince of Wales and family at Rich- mond. Not a word about hunting.— 1720. The King absent in Hanover. July : the Pi'ince at Richmond. His court, attended by great numbers of the nobility and gentry, " which brings prodigious profit to the country people thereabouts." No hunting intelligence, nor, for that matter, of anything except the South Sea Bubble, which was now in full cry. Every one gambled in this specious swindle. Folks begged, borrowed and stole to dabble in the myth. Everything upon which the wind could be raised was pawned to invest in the * " Yesterday-Night, the Prince diverted himself with Hunting about Hampton Court, where he kill'd a Buck. He was accompanied by several Ladies on Horseback, who took part in the Diversion." — The Weekly Journal or Uritish Gazetteer, Saturday, August 31, 1717. "On Monday the King diverted himself with Hunting in Bushy Park near Hampton- Court, after which His Majesty, alighting from his Horse, walked above three Miles, with a Fowling- Piece in his Hand, and kill'd several Braces of Partridges flying." — Ibid., September 14. " On Saturday the Prince hunted a Buck in Windsor Forest. The Buck run as far as Staines, where he was killed. On Sunday the Earl of Roseberry carried the Sword of State before his Majesty to the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court, where Dr. Holland preached." — Ibid., September 14. 260 HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. stock— hounds and horses included.* The Jews made their first appearance on the turf, and came through the ordeal with credit, Baron Schwartz and Mr. Gomes Arras having carried off the principal honours at Epsom. — 1721. The King at Hampton Court for the summer season ; the Prince at Rich- mond. No hunting news. — 1722. In September George I. paid his first formal visit to Windsor Castle. No reference to hunting. — 1723. The King reported to be hunting in Hanover. The Prince held his court at Richmond during the buck-hunting season, but no details of the sport transpire. It seems, however, that the Royal Buckhounds pretty frequently hunted in the vicinity of Windsor and Epping Forests. In July 1724 it was publicly announced that several fine hunting horses were bought for his Majesty, who intended going to Windsor to reside there for some time, " to take the diversion of stag-hunting." This state visit was postponed until the 14th of the ensuing month, when his Majesty, accompanied by " the young princesses," arrived at the Castle. In the meantime an installation of the Garter was held there, the first of this reign, which was largely attended. " Never was such a scene of roguery carried on in so short a space, and with such wonderful dexterity ; for, in short, allmost everybody was robbed, and yet nobody in particular seen or suspected of doing it." On the first Sunday after his arrival at the Castle the King dined there in public, " when a great number of the country people came thither, and were admitted to see his Majesty at dinner." During this royal sojourn the King, " attended with divers of the nobillity and other persons," frequently went shooting and coursing in the Great Park and Forest. On August 27 his Majesty was reported to be " shoot- ing from 8 in the morning till almost 5 in the afternoon" — the royal bag comprising the sum total of 2^ brace of pheasants and 1^ brace of partridges. On September 5, * " They write from Newmarket that several of the fine Race Horses have been converted into Notes and Specie for their more convenient Running in Change-Alley." — The Weekly Journal, July 2, 1720. DEAETH OF HUNTING INTELLIGENCE, KEIGN OF GEOKGE I. 261 the King, accompanied by the "young princesses," and all the Court officials, paid a visit to, and dined with, the Earl of Orkney at Cliefden. On his return, all the villages through which the Iloyal cortege passed were illuminated ; and, on entering the Home Park, it was met there by the inhabitants of the Royal Borough, who turned out en masse, and thence His Majesty, T.R.H., and suite, were conducted to the Castle surrounded by a torch-light procession, which is described to have produced a novel and picturesque effect. We cannot find the slightest allusion to hunting, from his arrival at Windsor till his departure for Kensington on October 1, "in perfect health." In 1725 the Ministry submitted a royal message to Parlia- ment, requiring 508,367/. 19s. 4(i., to discharge the debts of the Civil List. This enormous arrear had been incurred in the short space of three years, because, as the message stated, his Majesty had found it impossible to make any considerable retrenchments. The nation was amazed at this demand, but, notwithstanding Pulteney's plucky protest, the grant was passed by 239 votes against 119. Probably not one farthing of this sum went into the King's pocket; most of it was gobbled up by the corrupt administrators of the state and their hungry hangers-on. At any rate, the only arrears out- standing on account of the Royal Buckhounds were for one year and a quarter, amounting to 1250/. Consequently this department of the Civil List was free from extravagance and innocent of peculation. Disgusted with the management of state affairs in his new dominions, which he could not under- stand, George L left England for Hanover in August. He spent most of the ensuing month hunting at Gohrde, in the company of Prince Friedrich and some of the English nobility of his suite. There the chase usually commenced at 7 a.m. and continued till 5 p.m. In the meantime the Prince of Wales had proceeded to Richmond, where he held his court amid the most enjoyable surroundings. As usual, hardly an item of hunting intelli- gence was mentioned in the chronicles of the time; nevertheless 262 HISTOKY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. there is ample reason to believe that the Royal Buckhounds were showing good sport. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, in a letter to the Countess of Mar, tells her that at this time she rode a good deal, and had " got a horse superior to any two-legged animal, he being without a fault." In another epistle to the Countess she says : " I think this is the first time in my life that a letter of yours has lain by me two posts unanswered. You'll wonder to hear that short silence is occasioned by not having a moment un- employed at Twickenham ; but I pass many hours on horse- back, and I'll assure you, ride stag-hunting, which I know you'll stare to hear of. I have arrived to vast courage and skill that way, and I am as well pleased with it as with the acquisition of a new sence : his Royal Highness hunts in Richmond Park, and I make one of the heau ononde in his train. I desire you after this account," she humorously adds, " not to name the word old woman to me any more : I approach to fifteen nearer than I did ten years ago, and am in hopes to improve every year in health and vivacity." Thus, in the sixty-fourth year of her age this accomplished lady first took to ride to hounds ; with what result the modesty of her letter is commendably silent. On July 30, 1726, it was announced that Colonel Negus had sent several sets of horses to Windsor, and that other preparations were making for his Majesty's going thither in a little time. However, the projected royal sojourn at the Castle was eventually abandoned. The King went to Hampton Court instead ; and thence, during a short visit, made shooting excursions to Bushey and Richmond Parks. The Prince held his court at Richmond, which was probably still associated with the Royal Buckhounds during his sojourn there in the hunting season. Although no records of the sport leak out, there is nevertheless one circumstance mentioned which establishes the fact that the pack must have been in a working way — viz., the races at Ascot by horses " that stag- hunted with the King's hounds." And, during the last four seasons, 147 sjbags and hinds had been hunted with the pack. GEOKGE I. AS A SPORTSMAN. 263 On June 3, 1727, the King set out for Hanover, ac- companied by the Duchess of Kendal, Lord Townshend, and suite. On the 9th the royal travellers arrived at Delden, the King apparently being in perfect health, as he resumed his journey at 4 a.m. next morning. But as he was travelling that forenoon he was seized with an apoplectic fit in his coach, and was dead in a few hours afterwards. Thus suddenly closed his chequered and eventful, but, on the whole, pros- perous and indulgent reign. Like William of Orange, George the First was brought hither to fill the English throne by a political faction mainly for their own purposes. He had no sympathy with the inhabitants of these islands, whose manners and customs he could not understand and whose language he could not speak. He was to all practical intents and purposes a mere puppet in the hands of his unprincipled ministers. Many hard things have been said of George I., a few of which may be true. Most of them are foul calumny. It is absurd for us to accuse him of callousness or indifference in connection with the exalted station we compelled him, much against his inclination, to fulfil. We were alone to blame in the matter ; if things did not turn out to our liking, why, serve us right. Without his crown and sceptre George I. was not a bad fellow. He was a good sportsman, though his conception of sport was not our sport. Evidently he intended to participate in the pleasures of the chase at the time when he built the New or Stone Lodge in Richmond Park, from a design by the Earl of Pembroke, with the intention to use it as a villa venatica, "after the fatigues of the chase." He was a good judge of a horse ; liked racing, but disliked the surrounding of our racecourses. He won the first race in which any of his horses ran — i.e., in the Plate of 50^. at Guildford, on Tuesday, June 5, 1715, for which six horses competed ; and he named the winner before the start. He never saw this horse before, did not know to whom it belonged, and picked it out as the best of the lot solely from knowledge of horseflesh. True, he discontinued the gold cups which were given to be run for in Queen Anne's reign ; but in lieu of them he gave several 264 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. sums of 100 guineas annually, to be run for on different courses throughout the Three Kingdoms. It is bootless to inquire why he did not fill up the office of Master of the Buckhounds ; perhaps he did not understand what it meant. His belief was that as every general should lead his own forces to battle, so also every sportsman should be his own huntsman ; and if we cannot gainsay it, wherefore complain ? Turning from the royal and noble celebrities associated with the Buckhounds in those days, we must pay a brief tribute to " the common people," who, according to the old chronicler, were steadfast followers of the pack almost from time imme- morial. During the reigns of George I. and George II. these " common people " — the merchant princes of the city, the lawyers, the doctors, the clergy, and the rich though humble bagman, mounted on the now obsolete "nag," on which he travelled, on business thoughts intent, throughout the land- rarely missed a favourable opportunity of hunting with the Royal Buckhounds. Among, and at the head of, the metro- politan patrons of the Hunt was Humphrey Parsons, twice Lord Mayor of London. His prowess in the saddle, and his ability in the hunting-field, was not only notorious among the followers of the pack ; it was recognised on the Continent, and, in fact, his reputation as an intrepid rider extended to every part of Europe wherever hunting men might chance to congregate. Towards the end of the reign of George I. Humphrey Parsons became very conspicuous through an incident which took place when he was hunting with the staghounds of Louis XV. in the forest of Fontainebleau, in the month of September 1725. On this occasion we are told that Alderman Parsons, " being mounted on a spirited English horse, contrary to the etiquette of the French Court, out- stripped the rest of the field, and was first in at the death. The King inquiring who the gentleman was, one of his adula- tory attendants indignantly answered that he was Un Ghevalier de Malte. The King, however, entering into conversation with Alderman Parsons, asked the price of his horse, which the Ghevalier, with true politeness, answered that it was ALDEEMAN HUMPHEEY PARSONS. 265 beyond any price otherwise than His Majesty's acceptance. The King could not resist the acquisition of so perfect a hunter, even upon such terms ; consequently, it was duly delivered at the Royal Stables. As a quid ])ro quo, Louis XV. gave Alderman Parsons — who was a famous brewer — an ex- clusive monopoly "of serving the French nation with his Extract of Matte" yclept in the vernacular " London Stout." It further transpired that in the course of this novel audience in the forest of Fontainebleau, that His Most Christian Majesty asked Alderman Parsons if all the Aldermen of London were as good sportsmen. We have not heard what the answer was, but we can vouch that at least the then Alderman of the Ward of Farringdon Without, Sir Francis Child, was a thorough sportsman, and fairly rivalled Alderman Parsons in the hunting-field. The former, however, prin- cipally patronised the Cit}^ Hunt, which gave grand sport at this time (and, in fact, during the whole period it was led by Mr. Cuttenden, the " Common Hunt," from the time of his appointment to that office in September 1723 onward), and was rarely out with the Royal Buckhounds except when the latter pack hunted in Epping Forest. On those occasions, at Sir Francis Child's house at Brentwood, there usually assem- bled a large number of hunting men who {'inore civitatus) were regaled with a sumptuous banquet — the menu, the side dishes and the wines being circumstantially described by the intelligencers of the period ; but, sad to say, never a word transpires relating to the runs. Although Alderman Parsons was a " common person " according to the supercilious ethics of " great " folks and centurions of those and later times, he could, nevertheless, boast of a pedigree dating from the Anglo- Saxon era. He was a good linguist, and could adapt himself to any society at home or abroad. He was a fine type of the metropolitan followers of the Royal Buckhounds of his day. His portrait, in hunting attire, is a rare and interesting sou- venir of the chase of the early Georgian era. He was M.P. for London ; served as Sheriff with Sir Francis Child in 1722 ; was Lord Mayor of London in 1730 (Sir Richard Brocas 26(5 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. having preceded, and Sir Francis Child succeeding, him in the civic chair) ; and was again Lord Mayor of London in 174L He died on March 21 in that year, lamented by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. As to Ascot Races — which were first instituted in connection with the Royal Buckhounds in the reign of Queen Anne — there is very little doubt attending the assumption that those meetings had taken place annually during the reign of Alderman Parsons in Hunting Attire. George I. Unfortunately we are unable to follow the annals of those races succinctly year by year. Nevertheless, some news of them was occasionally recorded by the chroniclers of those days. Thus we ascertain that on August 15 and 16, 1720, two Plates of 30 guineas were announced to be run for " on Ascott-Heath, in AVindsor Forest," by hunters " used in hunting 12 months last past," which had never run for money or plate. The horses were to carry 11 stone on the ASCOT EACES. 267 first day, and 12 stone on the second day. They were to be entered " with Barlow, in Hatchet Lane," prior to August 8. The entrance fee was 2 guineas, or 4 guineas if entered at the starting post; but a "contributor" (to previous races of this sort ?) had only to pay 1 guinea, " the entrance money to go to the second winning horse," The result of these two races has not transpired. Early in August 1722 it was announced that " Forty Guineas " were " to be run for on Askott Heath, the 18th Instant, by Horses that have Stag-hunted in Epping or Windsor Forest with the King's hounds before the 2nd Instant, and have never won Five Pounds, to carry 11 Stone, three times round the four Miles Course at one Heat ; to be entered at John Tempiro's at Sunning-Hill Wells, on Friday the 17th Instant; the Subscribers to pay one Guinea Entrance, no Subscriber two, or four at the Post ; the Stakes to go to the second Horse." The result of this race has not been pre- served, at least so far as our researches can penetrate the obscurity by which it is environed. Fortunately, in 1724 and 1726, although we miss the " card," we find the winners. On Mondaj^ July 11, 1724, the first Stag-Hunters' Plate of 30 guineas was won by Mr. Darby's Clubfoot; "next day the Lord Harry Beauclair's Puppet won the second of 20/." On Monday, August 8, 1726, the " stag- hunters' plate of forty guineas was run for on Ascot Heath, and won by Mr. Meggott's chestnut mare, carrying twelve stone " ; and on the following day a Plate of 30 guineas was run for and won by Sir Thomas Reynolds' chestnut horse, carrying 10 stone. 268 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. CHAPTER XIII. GEORGE 11. (1727—1732). Colonel Francis Negus, Thirty-sixth Master: June 11, 1727, to September 9, 1732. — Annual Cost of the Pack. — Records of the Runs from 1728 to 1732. — Ascot Races. The circumstances attending the accession of George II. are more or less detailed in all the standard works published on the history of England, which see. With the political sur- roundings recorded therein we have very little concern, consequently we shall confine ourselves to the reconstruction of the Royal Household so far as it bears upon our subject. One of the first appointments made by George II. was that of the Earl of Scarborough to fill the long-vacant office of Master of the Horse, which was received with acclaim. The intelli- gence produced exuberant delight at the Royal Mews, where the effigy of the Duchess of Kendal was burnt amid great rejoicings. The Earl was very popular with every one who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was a great favourite with the new King, by whom he was presented with a warrant on the Jewel Ofiice to receive, by virtue of his ofiice, 1,000 ounces of silver plate, " the same to be made into such articles and after such fashion as his Lordship shall direct." The next important office in the Household, which was prac- tically vacant during the whole of the preceding reign, was the Mastership of the Buckhounds. To fill this post Colonel Francis Negus was apparently promoted on the very day of the King's accession. Although we have not been able to find the warrant of his appointment to the office of Master of the Buckhounds, we know beyond doubt he received the ANNUAL COST OF THE PACK — ASCOT RACES. 269 stipend of that post from June 11, 1727, "by virtue of an Establishment under His Majesty's sign manual dated Decem- ber 20, 1727." The established allowance of this office was now fixed at 2,341^. per annum, out of which the Master had to defray all the ordinary charges of the pack from year to year. Some other incidents relating to his appointment are mentioned in our brief memoir of this Master, consequently we may leave him here for the present to follow his doings at the head of the Royal Buckhounds. Partly owing to the Court being in mourning, political affairs, and the domestic arrangements of the Royal Family, no formal meetings of the Royal Buckhounds appear to have taken place in the season of 1727. Nevertheless we have official authority showing that at least 18 stags, 8 hinds, and 4 bucks had been hunted by the pack. Assuming each of those deer gave more than one run the sport must have been fairly good. Another proof of the popularity of the hunt, even in the unavoidable absence of royalty, is derived by the circumstance that on July 81 a plate of forty guineas was run for at Ascot, by such horses as had, during the season, carried their owners to the death of a leash of stags in Windsor Forest, twelve stone each ; which race was won by Mr. Walter's grey horse Hobler, beating four others. For some reason or other the King evinced reluctance to inhabit Windsor Castle, and in the hunting seasons usually occupied, when he was in England, Hampton Court Palace and Richmond Lodge. As we have already seen, the latter was his local habitation and his home in summer, during his father's reign. In those days Richmond Lodge was quite unworthy to be occupied by any member of the Royal Family of the greatest nation in the world. The situation was good, the park charming, the house a wretched place swarming with vermin.* It went from bad * " Kichmond House having been very much pestered with vermin, one John Humphries, a famous Eat Physician, was sent for Dorsetshire by the Princess, through the Recommendation of the Marchioness of Hertford, who collected together above five hundred rats in His Royal Highnesses' Palace, which he brought alive to Leicester House, as a proof of his art in that waj."—Brice's Weekly Journal, No. 29. 270 HISTORY OF THE EGYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. to worse, and was only tolerated now pending the projected improvements and enlargements designed to be carried out thereon. In June 1728 the King paid intermittent visits to Richmond, and on the 8th of that month it was publicly announced " that His Majesty designs to take the diversion of Hunting in Windsor Forest in the month of August." The Prince of Wales- — who subsequently became a staunch follower of the Royal pack^ — was languishing in a sort of political exile in Hanover. His Royal Highness was now expected " home." There was much ado, and little done, about arranoino^ his establishment ; and beyond the appointment of twenty-two livery servants belonging to the late King's stables, who had been discharged upon the setting up of the Household, were now taken into the service of His Royal Highness, no further steps were taken in that direction. On July 4 the King and most of the Ro3'al Family arrived at Hampton Court, and on the 14th they dined in public for the first time. All comers were admitted into the banqueting room. The pressure of the public caused the rail surrounding the table to break, whereby many persons fell in upon the Royal Family, when the scramble for hats and wigs caused much diversion, " at which their Majesties laughed heartily." This incident shows, and subsequent ones prove, that the Royal Family were very affable, and did not disdain to mingle with the masses durinij the hunting seasons with the Royal Buckhounds. Great preparations were being made, in the meantime, at Windsor against the opening day, which was fixed for June 27, at Hounslow Heath. The rendezvous was attended by the King and the Royal Family. His Majesty and the elder princesses were on horseback, the Queen in a calash and single horse, " in the same manner as Queen Anne used to hunt in Windsor Forest." There was a large attendance at the meet ; unfortunately no news of the run transpired. Hounslow, August 1, was the next fixture at which the King was present. August 3, Richmond Park. — Their Majesties, Duke of EECOKDS OF THE EUNS. 271 Cumberland, and the Princesses, attended by a great con- course of the nobility and gentry, hunted a stag, which was killed " after four hours' sport." The Royal party were very affable with the country people, " by conversing with them and ordering them money." The highwaymen were very atten- tive, some of the fraternity hunting belated hunting men even within the sacred precincts of Windsor Park ! Owing to the death of Prince Ernest Augustus of Brunswick, the King's uncle, the Court went into mourning, and no hunting took place until Saturday, August 17, which was a red-letter day in the annals of the Royal pack. Between 10 and 11 o'clock 'Hheir Majesties, together with His Royal Highness the Duke, and their Royal Highnesses the Princesses, came to the new park by Richmond from Hampton Court, and diverted them- selves with hunting a stag, which ran from 11 to 1, when he took the Great Pond, and defended liimself for about half an hour, when, being killed and brought out by the help of a boat, the huntsman sounded the French horns. The skin was taken off, and the carcase given to the dogs. His Majesty, the Duke, and the Princesses Royal hunted on horseback; Her Majesty and the Princess Amelia hunted in a four-wheel chaise, and the Princess Carolina in a two-wheel chaise, and the Princesses Mary and Louisa were in a coach. Several of the nobility attended, and among them Sir Robert Walpole, clothed in green as Ranger. When the diversion was over, their Majesties, the Duke, and the Princesses refreshed them- selves on the spot with a cold collation (as did the nobility at some distance of time after), and soon after two in the after- noon returned for Hampton Court.'" Saturday, August 31, Sunbury Common. — Their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family present. The stag took them across the Thames, and was killed in the Eail of Lincoln's park, after a chase of several hours. The Princess Royal came to grief, " but received no hurt." Saturday, September 7. — Sir Robert Walpole and several noblemen " diverted Count Kinski,* the Imperial Ambassador, * Count Philip de Kinski was at this time the Austrian Ambassador to our Court. 272 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCK HOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. with Hunting in Richmond Park. The King's Buckhounds, being out of order they made use of Lord Viscount Palmer- ston's [harriers], and between 9 and 12 o'clock they Kill'd 2 brace of Hares." On this day the King, Queen, and Royal family paid their first State visit to Windsor Castle. " They went in the Park Way to the great Disappointment of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses, &c., who were ready to receive them in their Formalities " at the State entrance. The next day their Majesties " dined in Publick as they will continue to do during their stay." The Castle was refurnished for this royal sojourn ; among other necessaries one hundred new beds were put up for the servants. Saturday, September 14, The Little Park. — The King, Queen, and all the Royal Family, attended by an immense concourse of nobility and gentry, roused a stag, which was killed about nine miles from Windsor. In honour of the occasion — it was Holy Rood Day — an elk was uncarted, and gave a brilliant run, which was worthy of the festival. " The sport was not over till 8 in the Evening when their Majesties returned to the Castle." The Royal Family were said to be well pleased with Windsor. " The Right Hon. Sir Robert Walpole is sending over to His Royal Highness Prince Fredrick a Hunting Suit made after the English manner"; and the Lord Chief Justice in Eyre presented Prince William with " a fine hunting horse." On Saturday, September 21 and 28, their Majesties and all the Royal Family at Windsor followed the Buckhounds, and " were exceedingly diverted with that exercise." Saturday, October 5. — Through some mistake their Majesties lost sight of the stag for three hours, and only cut in at the death. Wednesday, October 9. — Their Majesties, accompanied by the Duke of Grafton, Sir Robert Walpole, " and many others of the Nobility and Quality hunted about Windsor Forest for several Hours, till the rain coming on, when their Majesties returned to the Castle to Dinner without having killed the stag." At this banquet the 2^iece de resistance consisted of EECOKDS OF THE EUNS ASCOT EACES. 273 three herring-pies, which were presented, according to the ancient custom, by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Capital Bur- gesses of the town of Great Yarmouth, according to the charter of that corporation. Saturday, October 12, was the last meet of the season at which the Royal Family assisted. According to the official certificate 31 stags were provided to give sport with the pack during the season. On Monday, October 14, the Staghunters' Plate was run for at Ascot. It was won by Colonel Negus' Grey Turk, beating Brigadier Honeywood's Marks Hall, Mr. Hankey's Foxhunter, and Mr. Yark's Hopeless. None of the Royal Family were present, they having arrived at St. James' for the winter season on the day in question. 1729. — At the opening of the hunting season of 1729 the King was absent in Hanover. The Queen was somewhat indisposed. The Prince of Wales had recently returned, after a long exile in Hanover, to assume his proper position in England, in which he acquitted himself as well as could have been expected. When Frederick Prince of Wales arrived " home " from Hanover there were many expressions of public joy and local congratulations upon this untoward event. For some reason not very clear, but probably to gratify the Hanoverian party, the young Prince had never been allowed to visit England in the lifetime of George I. He now came over at the age of twenty-one, a pledge of the Protestant succession, and not without qualities to captivate the multitude, who were prone to love an heir-apparent better than a King. Unfortunately this fair prospect was clouded and darkened by faction. A corrupt clique of Jacks-in-office soon induced Fred to follow his father's example in caballing against his sire, and thus embittered what would have otherwise proved many pleasant days with the Royal Buckhounds. The Civil List was now in arrears, alleged to amount to 115,000^.; and although it was afterwards proved there was no such deficiency, yet the Government of the day persevered, and carried the bogus vote by a large majority. 18 274 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. Early in the month of August the Prince of Wales and the Princesses arrived at Richmond. The King was in Hanover. The first meet of the Royal Buckhounds, in this brief season, took place in Richmond New Park on Saturdaj^ August 11, which was attended by Her Majesty, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, the Princess Royal, and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, and a large field of all sorts and conditions of brave men and fair women. Notwithstanding the rain the run proved enjoyable ; Her Majesty, attended by the Duchess of Hamilton, being in at the death of the stag, and then they returned to Kensington to dinner. Thursday, August 14, Windsor Forest. — Present all the Royal Family (bar the Sovereign) and a large field. Short but fast run, and at finish all those who were up " were enter- tained with a magnificent dinner and a fine desert at the Lord Malpas's seat at Windsor." (His Lordship was Master of the Horse to the Prince of Wales.) The following day the King arrived in England ; and on Wednesday, October 2, " their Majesties hunted in Richmond Park " for (so far as we can ascertain) the last time this season. As appears, by the ofiicial certificate of the Master, 35 stags and 14 hinds were hunted by the pack in the vicinity of Windsor and Epping Forests during this season. 1730. — In the month of July we find the Court at Windsor Castle, and the highwaymen reaping a golden harvest from those whom pleasure or business obliged to journey thither from town. Detachments of cavalry were ordered to patrol the road from Hyde Park Corner to Windsor in order to pro- tect the public. In the Forest a large body of military was encamped ; to each of the officers' mess the King presented a fat buck. The troops had very little to do beyond levelling the Forest and making roads in the vicinity. Those military roads were admirably constructed ; indeed, they soon became famous throughout the Three Kingdoms, and (especially in Ireland) still retain their reputation. Among the Royal guests at this time were two Indian chiefs. Their portraits were painted by order of the King, and at their departure he pre- 1730 : RECOEUS OF THE EUNS. 275 sented each of them with 100 guineas. The first mention of hunting was on August 1, when the Duke of Cumberland hunted the ram (according to ancient but brutal custom) with the Eton boys ; a great concourse of fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers being present to see the fun, which was very cruel " sport." It had, however, one redeeming feature. The cap was sent round, as usual, and a considerable sum collected for the College Library.* So far as we can ascertain, it appears that all the meets of the E.oyal Buckhounds which have been reported in this hunting season were held in the vicinity of Windsor Forest. The first took place on Saturday, August 8, at which their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family were present. A stag was roused near Colonel Crosby's house. A good run ensued. The Koyal Family are said to have been in at the death, after a chase of about two hours. Saturday, August 15. — All the Royal Family present; no details of this run. The Prince of Wales took a liking to Mr. Fleetwood's " very fine hunter, which he bought for 100 guineas," Saturday, August 29. — ^The King and most of the Royal Family hunted a stag, when " an extraordinary accident hap- pened. Two stags breaking herd together ran so for several miles, till at last the foremost (provok'd at the other's following him) turn'd at him, and with his brow antlers gor'd him in the side with such a great force, that he kill'd him on the spot. The other they hunted down, but carried him in a Cart to Sunning- hill, in order to save his life for another time, he being a very fine one." Saturday, September 5. — ^Their Majesties, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family at the meet. A stag was roused near the Bear and Bell ; ran to Bagshot, thence * No offence meant. Eton is such a swell school now that this begging business in her antecedents may appear to be infra dig. Kut the fact is {teste Charles Kingsley) all our colleges were once charity schools endowed for the masses, but subsequently (and in these cases, at any rate) most appropriately appropriated by the " classes." 276 HISTOET OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. back to Swinley Pond, and got upon the island. The hounds brought him to bay there ; but he defended himself so well that the King spared his life. Wednesday, September 16. — " The Queen having some Eeturns of the Gout upon her, their Majesties did not hunt last Wednesday as usual. But the Prince of Whales put up a Stag at Low-Pond in the Great Park, which ran several Hours, and having given great satisfaction, his Royal Highness order 'd his Life to be spared. On Monday Sir Robert Walpole bought a fine Pad, and made a Present of it to the Princess Amelia." Saturday, September 19. — Their Majesties and "all the rest of the Royal Family " roused a stag at Caesar's Camp ; run three hours ; all in at the death. Early in October the Royal Family left Windsor for Rich- mond, and soon after returned to Kensington for the winter season. In the meantime some other circumstances occurred to which we must briefly allude. On August 30 the Earl of Carlisle was appointed Master of the Harriers and Foxhounds. This Royal pack had not been on the establishment of the Royal Household since the reign of James IL The revival was well received, as foxhunting was now becoming very popular. And we get the following particulars of Ascot races in connec- tion with the Royal Hunt : — To be run for by Hunters on Ascot Common, in "Windsor Forest, on Monday, the 31st of August, 1730, Fifty Guineas ; and on Tuesday, the 1st of September, Forty Guineas,by any Horses, Mares, or Geldings which have been or shall be at the Death of three Staggs hunted by his Majesty's Hounds in the Forest of Windsor, between the 1st of March last and the day of Running, carrying 12 Stone for the 60 Guineas, and 10 Stone for the 40 Guineas, the best of three Heats, each Heat being once round the Four Mile Course. No Horse, Mare, or Gelding which has won the Value of Fifty Pounds at any one Time in Plate or Money shall be entitled to either of the Prizes above- mentioned. No Horse, Mare, or Gelding now kept in training or feeding for running for Plates or Matches shall be entitled to run for either of the aforesaid Prizes, notwithstanding they may be used or rode as Hunters at the Death of three Stags after this Advertise- ASCOT EACES. 2 i I ment. The manner and Rules for running to be according to the Kules used in running for the King's Plate at New-market ; and if any Dispute or Difference about entring or running arise, the same shall be determined by the Judges of the Course, who shall be ap- pointed Judges by the Duke of St. Albans. The Horses, Mares, and Geldings designed to run must be shewn and enter'd before the Judges at John Tempra's, at Sunning-hill Wells, the 28th of August, between the Hours of Ten in the Morning and Four in the Afternoon. If any Subscriber enters a Horse, Mare, or Gelding he shall not pay any Entrance Money ; but any Person who has not shall pay two Guineas Entrance for the Fifty Guineas, and one Guinea for the Forty Guineas. These races were afterwards postponed to September 7 and 8, when they took place with the following results : For the 50 Guinea Plate 9 horses started ; it was won bj a horse owned by the Duke of Newcastle, who gave his groom the stakes for his care and diligence, "and the Prince of Wales gave him 30 truineas more." The 40 Guinea Plate was won by Major Honeywood's mare. According to the certificate of the Master of the Buck- hounds, 48 stags were provided to give sport with the pack during this season, pursuant to the subjoined Royal Warrant : — Underkeep''^ of his Ma'' Forests for & Bucks w"^ his Ma*' Hounds GEORGE R. 'Whereas we are well Informed that Our Roy' predecessors thought fit to allow unto J ^^^ Under Keep" w'^^in their Forests a Fee of KilF Staggs, Hmds ^q,„ ^^^ ^^^^ Stagg— 20''^ for each Hind— and 10''^ for each Buck killed by their Stagg- ^hounds, and that, by means thereof the said Under Keepers were Encouraged to be diligent in their Oftices, and to Harbour and preserve those Beasts of the Forest w^'in their respective Walks, for the Royal Sport and Diversion; Now We being minded to Revive the said Fees, which have been discontinued to be paid to the said Under Keep''^ ever since our Accession to the Throne, have had an account laid before Us of all the Staggs, Hinds, and Bucks, killed by Our Stagg- hounds between the 11th day of 278 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. June 1727 and the 14th day of October now last past 1730, which Acco* is hereupon Indorsed ; And there by it appears that there is due and payable unto the said Under Keep''^ whose names are speci- fied in the said Acco* the Sum of 286", as followeth : — For 131 Staggs at 40^ each, 262^. ; 22 Hinds at 20^ each, 22Z. ; and 4 Bucks at 10^ each, %. Total, 286^. Our W[ill] & Pt[easure] is and We do hereby Authorize Direct and Requii-e you, out of any Monies coming to your hands for the Extra'^y Expense of Our Stables, to pay, unto the s'' Under Keep"" the said Sum of 286?. in full of the s** Fees, and of all Claims and Demands what so ever on Account thereof, from Our Accession to the Throne to the s*^ 14th day of Octob"" last past. And Our further WUl and Pleasure is that, out of the like Mo[neys] from time to time being and remaining in your hands; you pay unto the Under Keep''^ of the Walks within Our Forests yearly and every year, or at the end of every hunting Season in each year, so much as the same Fees of 40'*'' for each Stagg — 20**^ for each Hind — and 10^'' for each Buck shall amount unto for each Species happening to be Killed by our Stagg-Hounds m every such year or Hunting Season upon Certificates of the Numbers Killed, and the Names of the Under Keep''^, with their Walks, to whom the same are or shall become payable, to be Signed from time to time by the Ma'' of Our Buck Hounds for the time being or otherwise attested to your Satisfaction. And for so doing this with proper Acquittances for the Sums which shall now and from time to time be paid, pursuant to Our pleasure afore declared, shall be as well to you for paym' as to Ovir Aud"^** for Allow^ thereof from time to time upon your Acco*^, a sufficient Warr*. Given at Our Court at St, James's this 14th day of March 1730 [-31] in the 4th year of Our Reign. By his Majesty's Command B. Walpole. G. DODINGTON. G. OXENDEN. [Lords Commissioners of the Treasury^ To the Earl of Scarborough, Ma'' of the Horse. Appending : — " An Account of the Staggs, Hinds, and Bucks THE QUARRY — LADIES IN THE FIELD. 279 Hunted and Killed by his Ma'^ Hounds since his Ma**' Accession to the 13th day of Octob'" 1730, viz., 1727 1728 1729 17.30 S. H. B. S. H. B. S. H. B. S. H. B. In Windsor Great Park 3 3 „ Cranborn Walks .... 3 1 1 ,, Swinley Walk .... ,, East Hampstead Walk . „ Bagshot Rails & Sandhurst Walks 1 1 2 2 1 1 5 5 .5 1 3 10 4 6 ,, Billingbear Walk .... 1 1 1 5 „ Newlodge Walk .... o 2 1 12 4 8 „ Old Windsor Walk 2 4 4 2 „ Fan Grove Walk ... 1 1 3 3 „ Twelve Oaks' Walk 1 1 ,, Eichmond Park .... 6 2 4 5 2 ,, Epping Forest, viz. : — Epping Walk .... Waltham Stow Walk 3 4 3 Park Hall Portico . 2 2 Hannault Walk .... 2 2 Lowton Walk .... 4 Ongar Portico .... 1 Cbinkford Walk 1 18 8 4 31 35 14 48 Staggs, 131 at 40^ each, 262Z. Hinds, 22 „ 20« „ 22^. Bucks, 4 „ 10^ „ 11. Total, 286/." — Treasury Records. K.W.B., vol. xxx., pp. 154-5. Ladies continued to indulge immoderately in the pleasures of the chase, and the long, fast, and furious runs with the Royal Buckhounds occasionally superinduced more or less ill effects. Thus, in August 1729, we find Lady Hervey writing to Mrs. Howard (soon afterwards Lady Suffolk) : " As your physician, I warn you against such violent exercise as you tell me you take. All extremes are, I believe, equally detrimental to the health of the human body, and especially to yours, whose strength, like Sampson's, lies chiefly in your head. If you continue your immoderate hunting, depend upon it, it will prove prejudicial to your constitution, as I find it does to my entertainment, and will in time rob you of as much satisfaction as it has already deprived me of." 280 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. Lady Sutfolk, in a familiar letter to Mr. Gay (the poet) dated Jul}^ .31, 1730, tells him that the ladies of the Court " hunt with great noise and violence, and have every day a very tolerable chance to have a neck brok." Lord Chester- field, writing to her Ladyship, August 17, 1733, pays an unintentional compliment to the popularity of the hunt, which the pompous cynic says, " give the lie to those who complain of the uncertainty and instability of courts, since the same joyous recreations have, for these sixteen revolving years, been steadily pursued without interruption." 173L — About the middle of July the King and the Royal Family arrived at Hampton Court Palace, where great pre- parations were being made for the projected Royal progress to York. This journey was soon after abandoned, to the great disappointment of the good folks in those parts, who had made elaborate preparations to give the Royal Family a welcome worthy of the occasion. The first meet of the Royal Buck- hounds was announced to take place on July 28 in Windsor Forest, " weather permitting "•; and on August 4 and 7 Bushy Park was the fixture. Beyond these bare announcements no- thing further transpires. In the meantime, the hunting horses, used by the Royal Family in the chase, were being exercised and got into proper fettle ; * the deer well looked after, and poachers, when taken, were punished with extreme severity.f * " Last Thursday (July 29) one James Varo, a helper to his Majesty's grooms, was riding a grey horse, called Walker, in Bushy-park, which his Majesty generally used to ride a hunting : the horse started, and ran full speed against the pallisades before the Lord Hallifax's house, with such force, that he dash'd his brains out, and died immediately, and threw the rider on the spikes, where he hung a considerable time, but received little damage. A swan in the L. Hallifax's canal flew out of the water at the horse, who thereupon took flight. The same swan some time before flew at his Royal Highness, but did his Eoyal Highness no hurt." •(■ " On Sunday last John Nun and Baptist Nun, his brother, keepers of Windsor great and little parks, went with a complaint to Hampton Court, viz., That the two men condemned at the late Assizes for the county of Berks, for Deer stealing, had threaten'd their lives in case they should obtain a pardon, which they were in hopes of procuring, through the intercession of a Nobleman. The said Malafactors have since been ordered for Execution.'' — Grvh-street Journal, August 19. 1731. [They were executed at Reading on the evening of Friday, October 7, following.] 1731 : EECOEDS OF THE KUNS. 281 Saturday August 14, Richmond Park. — The King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cumberland, the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, accompanied by several lords and ladies, " took the Divershon of Hunting for the first time this Season." A stag was roused in Fan Grove. "In the midst of the sport, Sir Robert Walpole's fell just before the Queen's chaise and threw him in the dust, but he was soon remounted, and Her Majesty ordered him to bleed, by way of precaution. When the staof was run down, the King commanded the hounds to be call'd off." Saturday, August 21, Richmond. — Their Majesties and the Royal Family, attended by the Earls of Scarborough and Grantham, Lord Malpas, and several other persons of dis- tinction, roused a stag at Fan Grove ; and after a chase of about three hours returned to Hampton Court. On the following Tuesday night " some rogues got into Richmond New Park where their Majesties hunt, and breaking one of the Sluices belonging to the Pond, let all the water out, to the great inconvenience of the deer." Wednesday, August 25, Richmond.- -The King, Queen, Duke of Cumberland, Princesses Amelia and Mary, and a large field arrived at the meet in the New Park. The Princess Amelia was thrown from her horse, but she received no hurt. Hon. Mr. Fitz- William, Page of Honour to His Majesty, also came to grief. Her Majesty and the Princess Mary on wheels were in at the death of the stag, after a good run of two hours. The Princess Royal was absent nursing the Prince of Wales, who was ill. Saturday, August 28, Richmond. " On Saturday morning last the King, Queen, the Duke, and the Princesses, together with divers of the Nobility and Quality went again a stag- hunting in the New Park near Richmond. The Lord Dela- ware's Lady and the Lady Harriot d'Auverquerque, Daughter to the Earl of Grantham, had the misfortune to be overturned in a Chaise, which fell with such violence, that the shafts were broken, and the Chaise went over the Ladies ; but providentually they escaped any visible Hurt. Mr. Shorter, 282 HISTOEY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. one of the King's Huntsmen, had a Fall from his Horse, and received a slight Contusion on his head. The Stag was lost five Several Times : Their Majesties, together in a Chaise, and the Duke on Horseback, having hunted between three and four hours left the Field at One o'Clock ; but the Princesses and Col. Negus continued the Chase for an Hour longer, and killed the Stag." Saturday, September 11, Richmond. — All the Royal Family, except the Princesses Mary and Louisa, accompanied by several persons of distinction and a large field, hunted a stag from the New Park. The run warmed up with a kill about two o'clock, when the Royal Family returned to Hampton Court to dinner. Wednesday, September 15, Richmond. — The Duke of Cumberland, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Amelia, with several persons of quality and distinction, roused a stag in the New Park. During the run the stag charged, gored, and threw Equerry Coulthorpe Clayton's horse, Mr. Thomas Walker, one of the Commissioners of Customs, was thrown from his horse, but not much hurt. Lady Susan Hamilton, Lady of the Bedchamber to the three eldest Princesses, was also unhorsed, " and immediately let blood by a surgeon in the field." " The stag having run a delightful chase for nearly two hours, was kill'd about 10 o'Clock, when their Highnesses returned to Court." Wednesday, September 29, Windsor Forest. — " On Wednes- day the Royal Hunters did not return from Windsor Forest to Hampton Court till 6 in the Evening. Coulthorpe Clayton, Esq., had the misfortune to put one of his shoulders out by a fall from his horse in the Chase." No further news of this run, which was apparently a good one. Mr. Clayton was not able to hunt atjain during: this season. At this date he was a cornet in the Horse Guards Blue and one of the King's equerries, and soon afterwards was appointed Avenor and Clerk Marshal in succession to Colonel Negus. Wednesday, October G, Windsor. — No information. The Prince of Wales was to have joined in the hunt, "but being taken ill the preceeding night, the Guards were countermanded 1731 : EECOEDS OF THE EUNS. 283 early in the morning." The neighbourhood was so infested with highwaymen that the Royal Family could not safely go from Hampton Court to Windsor without a strong cavalry escort. Saturday, October 9, Windsor. — About 8 o'clock A.M. the King, Queen, Prince of Wales, and the three eldest Princesses set out from Hampton Court Palace to Old Windsor, where a stag was uncarted, " and ran but a short chase in the Great Park before it was kili'd." Major Selwyn, Equerry to Her Majesty, and Mr. Acourt, Page of Honour to Her Majesty, and " many others " of lesser note, came to grief without much hurt ; but a youth, son of one of the hunt-servants, broke his neck, and died on the spot. The Royal Family returned between twelve and one o'clock to Hampton Court. Saturday, October 16, Windsor. — This was a grand day. All the Royal Family were present, attended by the lords and ladies of the Court, and several of the nobility and gentry. H.S.H. the Duke of Lorraine, " who goes by the name of Count Blamont," was also present, accompanied by H.E. Count Kinsky and a distinguished suite, all well mounted, and eager for the chase. H.S.H. having a reputation of " a brisk sportsman, the hounds were order'd to run at full head ; they roused a stag at Swinley, and kili'd at Blacknall ; the chase lasted two hours, very hot." During the run James Lidderdale, M.D., physician to Lord Harrington, Master of the State Lotteries, was thrown, broke several of his ribs, " and beat one of his eyes almost out." Mr. Delafaye, writing to the Earl of Waldegrave, then Ambassador at the court of Versailles, from Hampton Court Palace, October 15, 1731, gives the following particulars of the Duke of Lorraine's venatic visit, and the ulterior proceedings thereof : — " The Duke of Lorrain is come at last, under the travelling name of Count Blamont. Count Kinsky brought him hither. They came to court in chairs (having alighted at Baron HartofTs lodgings upon the Gi-een) : the guards took no notice of them, I mean by way of being drawn up or saluting. They alighted at the first gate and walked through the court, up stairs, through the grand chamber 284 HISTOKY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. and the next room, into the cartoon gallery, at the door of which the housekeeper was placed to keep everybody else from going in. My Lord Hervey (vice-chamberlain to the King) waited in the cartoon gallery, and carri'd him that way into His Majesty's private apartment. Then I saw my lord chamberlain conducting his high- ness through the admiral gallery to the queen's apartment, where he saw (in private) her majesty and the royal family, except the prince of Wales, to whom he afterwards paid a visit, being carry'd also the private way. I imagined count Blamont would from thence have slunk away, but he was more gallant ; went to the queen's circle, and saw the dining in publick, standing behind their majesties, or rather in some measure between their chairs. About a quarter of an hour's stay there, he went and dined at count Kinsky's at Isleworth, and so back to London to count Kinsky's house there, whither all the ministers went early this morning to pay their court to his highness, before they came to the King's levy here. The duke of Lorrain was not here this day ; but to-moi-row he is to meet their majesties and the royal family at the hunting in Windsor forrest, and they dine together, as I hear, at Cranborn lodge. The Duke of Newcastle will give his highness a great entertainment next week at Claremont. They talk of count Blamont's going to Newmarket at the end of next week, and that we shall then remove to town ; but that is not certain." In a postscript the intelligencer informs Lord Waldegrave that : — " The hunting was last Saturday, as I wi'ote to yovu- excellency was intended, but the dinner was here. There sate at the table the King, the prince of Wales on his majesty's right hand, and count Blamont on his left, and the ministers and great officers, and such others as his majesty was pleased to appoint, who sate pele mele without any distinction. They were about fourteen in all. It was in the beauty room next the privy garden. A play is now acting here, to which count Blamont is come from count Kinsky's. To- morrow the Duke of Devonshire entertains his highness at supper in town. Wednesday is to be another hunting, and another dinner here. Thursday count Blamont goes to see a ship launched, and will be entertained by the admiralty. Friday he dines with my Lord duke of Newcastle at Claremont, and is to be at a ball here RECORDS OF THE RUNS. 285 at court. Saturday another hunting. This day sen'night his high- ness goes to Newmarket, and comes back to town for the birthday ; aftei- which the duke of Grafton will entertain him, as is said, for some days at Euston, and sir Robert Walpole at Houghton." It seems that the hunters used by the Duke of Lorraine were provided by the Master of the Horse at the King's expense.* According to the official certificate of Colonel Negus 57 stags, 20 hinds, and 7 bucks, were provided to give sport with the pack, between October 14 and November 5, 1731, for which the several underkeepers received the usual fees, amounting to 138^. 10s. During this year George 11. completed the purchase, and thereby acquired, by payment of 2,688^. 16s., to the trustees of the late Richard Earl of Ranelagh, Cranborne Lodge in Windsor Forest, " together with all fees and profits thereunto belonging, and the pictures, furniture, and household stuff in the said Lodge or in any outhouses or offices belonging thereto." His Majesty, about the same time, also bought for 3,161^. 18s. 6d., forty-five acres of woodland adjoining Richmond Park, from the executors of Nathaniel Halhed, deceased. Both of these places were associated before, at, and in after times with the Royal Hunt. 1732. — For some time prior to the beginning of the Buck- hunting season the King was away in Hanover, and on July 10 it was publicly announced that the Queen Regent and the Royal Family designed to hunt twice a week during the ensuing season. On July 20 several of the Royal grooms arrived at the New Park, Richmond, with the hunters, etc. ; and on the following day Colonel Negus arrived there from * Jasper Smith stud-groom, for his own and several other grooms, horse-hire and travelling charges in attending upon the Duke of Lorraine on hmiting into Norfolk, and in fetching up from Falmouth to Hampton Court two Barbary horses which came from Tripoli, 511. 12s. . . . Richard Powell for travelling charges and expenses of himself, two grooms and two helpers in conducting seven horses of the Duke of Lorraine to Calais, and for their expenses back 5il. lis. 6d.— Vide Accounts of Eichard Earl of Scarborough, Master of the Horse, July 1731 to June 30, 1732 (Roll 39). For 4 saddle horses bought in the year 1731, for a present to the Duke of Lorraine, 181 Z. 5s. (Roll 40). 286 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. Ipswich. Thus all the preparations have been completed for the opening meet of the season, Saturday, July 22, at Richmond, where we find the Queen in a calash, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, and the three Princesses on horseback, attended by several lords and ladies of the Court. A stag was put up in the New Park, and hunted for two hours ; the Queen and all the Royal Family that were out having been in at the death. The Royal party dined at Richmond, and in the evening the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, the Princesses Mary Caroline and Louisa, went to the theatre there, and saw the comedy called The Careless Husband, " and about Eleven at Night the Queen with all the Royal Family return'd to Kensington, escorted by a Guard of Horse Grenadiers." Those members of the Royal Family joined the hunt at the meets held in the New Park on July 20, August 12, 21, 28, September 4, 18, and 25, each of which yielded an average run of about three hours' duration. The King, having re- turned from Germany, joined the Queen and his children at Richmond, and was out with them at the New Park on Saturday, September 30. He missed the well-known face and fiofure of Colonel Negus, who died in his hunting harness on the 9th of this month. Sir William Strickland, Secretary of War, was now nominated to fill the vacant office, but this was not confirmed. During this, and some subsequent runs, Sir Robert Walpole acted as Field Master of the Buckhounds ; but the vacant office was not officially filled until shortly before the opening of the ensuing season. Now, to return to this, the first run at which the King participated this season. The stag gave a good spin of three hours, and was killed near Ham Green. During the chase Captain Jackson, Deputy Ransrer of the New Park, fell from his horse and was much bruised ; and " a Domestick belonging to Sir William Strick- land," was thrown, rode over, and killed. The Prince of Wales rendered every assistance to the poor fellow, " placed him in a chariot and ordered particular care to be taken of him." 1732 : KECORDS of the runs. 287 Saturday, October 7, Richmond. — Their Majesties and all the Royal Family, except the Princess Amelia (who " sprained her ancle and did not go "), attended by the officers of the Court, and a large field of ladies and gentlemen, roused in the New Park a stag which gave them a good run of three hours. It rained incessantly all the time. Sir Robert Walpole again acted as Field Master of the Buckhounds. Saturday, October 14, Hounslow. — Their Majesties and all the Royal Family joined the meet at the Powder Mills, where a hind was turned out in the presence of " over a hundred ladys and gentlemen." After a pleasant chase of two hours she was killed at Twickenham. Grief — a page of honour to the Queen " left for dead in the field." Wednesday, October 18, Hounslow. — All the Royal Family at the Starting Post on the Heath, where a hind was uncarted. " There was a grand appearance of nobility and gentry in the field, and the chase lasted about three Hours, when the Hind was killed at the further end of Sunbury Common." Saturday, October 21, Hounslow Heath. — The King, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cumberland, and the three eldest Princesses went from Kensington to the meet, where a hind was turned out. The Queen and the Princess Caroline were in a calash ; the King and the rest of the Royal Family on horseback. " His Majesty was thrown out by a countryman giving a wrong scent, and lost sight all the way." The hind ran towards Harrow-on-the-Hill. The Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Royal rode in view till the death. Wednesday, October 25, Richmond. — The King, Queen, and all the Royal Family, " attended by several of the Nobility and Gentry," left Kensington at 6 A.M. for the New Park, where they roused a hind, which gave a good run of three hours. All the Royal Family were in at the death, and then returned to Kensington to dinner, " except the Prince of Wales who dined at his house at Kew." During this run " Sir William Billers, Knight and Alderman, dislocated his collar- bone, but having timely assistance there are hopes of his recovery." Sir William Irby, Bart., Equerry to the Prince of 288 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. Wales, fell with his horse, but received no serious hurt ; Mr. Buckworth, Gentleman Usher to His Royal Highness, narrowly- escaped being gored by a stag " which started suddenly upon his Horse and brok off part of his Whip " ; and William Ald- ridge, one of the grooms to the pack, was badly bruised by a fall from his horse. The pack did not meet on the following Saturday. Many of the principal followers of the Buckhounds were at the Newmarket races ; and the King's birthday festivities were the great attraction in town. The State Ball in Kensington Palace seriously interrupted the proceedings of the racing division at headquarters ; the demand on the post- ing establishments vastly exceeding the supply. The King " was pleased to express his satisfaction at the good order the Buckhounds appeared to be in," and Mr. Lowen, the hunts- man, was to have the charge and care of the pack till such time as a Master shall be appointed. This announcement dashed the hopes of many courtiers who were soliciting the appointment. Saturday, November 11, Richmond. — Their Majesties and the Royal Family having arrived at the Lodge on Friday, November 11, for a short sojourn, they attended the meet in the New Park on the following morning, when a hind was roused, which gave a good run for three hours. Their Majesties pulled up about half an hour before the end of the run ; but the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, and the Prin- cesses were in at the death, and afterwards returned to Richmond to dinner. W^ednesday, November 15, Richmond. — The Queen having been indisposed did not hunt. The rest of the Royal Family were out, and enjoyed a brief run of one hour's duration. At the end of the week the Royal Family returned to town; and so ended the season with this pack. Now as to the " HoN. Francis Negus, Esquire, M.P." (as he was officially styled), the thirty-sixth Master of the Royal Buckhounds, temp. George II., from June 11, 1727, to September 9, 1732, we are unable to say " what was his race COLONEL FRANCIS NEGUS, THIRTY-SIXTH MASTER. 289 or whence he came." On December 24, 1715, he was ap- pointed, jointly with Coyners Darcy, Commissioner for executing the office of Master of the Horse, with a salary of 800^. a year during His Majesty's pleasure. Those gentlemen jointly held this office (the profits of which went to the Duchess of Kendal during the reign of George I.) until March 25, 1717. Colonel Negus was appointed sole com- missioner for executing the same office — which he continued to fill until March 27, 1727 — by another patent, according to which his salary was to be paid quarterly out of the Treasury, from June 10, 1716, at the rate of 800/. per annum, " in lieu of all perquisites, etc., relating to the said office." It seems that this carried with it the post of Avenor and Clerk Mar- shal to the King. The duties Colonel Negus had to perform in his capacity of Commissioner of the office of Master of the Horse were very onerous, and embraced a wide field of action.* To enter upon this subject would involve writing the history of the Ro3^al Stud for the time being, a labour we respect- fully decline to undertake. Colonel Negus was also Ranger of Bagshot Rails and Sandhurst Walks, and Lieutenant and Deputy Warden of Windsor Forest. He had a suite of apart- ments in Hampton Court Palace ; and on the accession of George II. he relinquished his commissionership upon the appointment of the Earl of Scarborough to the long-vacant office of Master of the Horse. We have not been able to find the warrant or the Royal * The following items are taken from one membrane of Roll 30 : " William Nelson Sturgeon for setting the leg of Thomas Phipps one of H.M. huntsmen, lOl. 10s. To a person to teach several huntsmen to sound the French horn 71. 6s. John Harris for 10 brass French horns and mending two others for H.M. hunts- men, 261. I6s. Wm. Lowen, senior, H.M. chief huntsman as H.M. free gift when he was at Cranborne on Holy Rood Day, 1717, 53Z. los. Jax Vander- warden, falconer, for wages, etc., 103^. 9*. 6^. 8 couple of buckhounds given to the Duke of Lorraine's Envoy, 15 couple of staghounds sent to Zell (cost 5 guineas a couple), 5 staghounds a present to the King of Sweden, 20 dogs for the Emperor of Germany, 2 boar dogs and 2 bitches for the Emperor of Morocco, feeding the wild turkeys in Bushy Park, turning down pheasants in Windsor Park, distributing King's Plates at race meetings," etc., etc. He had to superintend the Royal Menagerie in Hyde Park paddock where the King's tiger was fed every day with six lbs. of boiled beef and mutton. 19 290 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT KACES. Sign Manual by which Colonel Negus was appointed Master of the Buckhounds to George II. There is no doubt, however, that he received this preferment almost immediately after the King's accession. From non-official but reliable contemporary evidence we ascertain that he kissed the King's hand upon " his appointment of Master of the Buckhounds," and that he set out to Harwich to contest the seat at the General Election about this time. Having been appointed to this office prior to that election he had not to vacate his seat and offer himself for re-election through having accepted a " place of profit under the Crown," otherwise the return of the writ would have confirmed it more amply. At all events, the accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber distinctly show that he received the emoluments of this office in full, commencing on June 11, 1727, "by virtue of an Establishment under His Majesty's Sign Manual dated December 20, 1727." The stipend of his office of Master of the Buckhounds, as we now find it re- established, was 2,3-tl/. per annum "for his salary and in lieu of all charges thereof" ; and he was paid at this rate down to the Michaelmas quarter in the year 1732, " by virtue of a warrant under His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual, countersigned by the Lord Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, dated 26th day of October, 1732." Then we come to the final payment relating to this Master : "To Francis AVhit worth, Esq., with- out account which is to be esteemed as part of the allowance on the Establishment for His Majesty's Buckhounds (and which was payable to Francis Negus, Esq., as Master thereof since deceased), to be applied and paid over by him to clear the expense on account of His Majesty's Buckhounds for three- quarters of a year ended at Midsummer, 1733, by three warrants under the Royal Sign Manual — 1,452/. Is. 6id" As may be gathered from the above chronicle of the runs the name of this Master of the Buckhounds is rarely men- tioned. Indeed, it is somewhat remarkable to observe, Sir Robert Walpole figures much more prominently in connection with this pack. The latter was a most enthusiastic follower of hounds, and, of course, his position at the head (and tail) of COLONEL FRANCIS NEGUS, THIRTY-SIXTH MASTER. 291 the Government tended to obscure the lesser Ministers and Court officials when he condescended to appear among them. Nevertheless, Colonel Negus was an intimate and trusted friend of George I. On Christmas eve, 1718, the King " supped with the Commissioner of the office of the Master of the Horse at his house in St. James's Mews " ; and on August 20, 1720, he was summoned to Hanover to consult the King on the im- pending financial crisis in England ; and he usually superin- tended the arrangements when the King departed from, and arrived at Harwich in his journeys to and from Hanover. Colonel Neo;us was likewise a great favourite with George II. and the Hoyal Family ; and during the time he officiated as Master of the Buckhounds the pack was in good fettle, and frequently gave good sport. The "official horn" which had been entrusted to Mr. Lowen, the huntsman, during the reign of George I., appears to have been retained by that able though subordinate officer ; and it seems the " official insignia " of the Master was the well-known golden couples. On July 1 1729, Colonel Negus received the sad news that his seat at Dallinghoo, near Wickham Market, county Suffolk, had been burnt to the ground, together with all the furniture, pictures, etc., therein, worth 10,00U^. He was High Bailiff of Harwich, and represented that borough in Parliament. He was also one of the Commissioners of the Lieutenancy of Middlesex and the Liberty of Westminster, and a Director of the Royal African Company. He died in his hunting harness at Swinly Lodge, on September 9, 1732, and was buried "in the New Chapel in the Broadway, Westminster," He left an only son. This is all we have been able to ascertain of the thirty-sixth Master of the Royal Buckhounds. His career was surrounded with a certain amount of mystery and obscurity, which we have been unable to penetrate. Even the erudite Davey, in his exhaustive collection of historical, topographical, and genealogical documents relating to the county Suffolk, hardly mentions his name. Like Lord Cardigan, his predecessor in this office, Colonel Negus; had a few horses on the turf; and, like him, he never won a race except with a bond fide hunter. 292 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. CHAPTER XIV. GEORGE II. {Continued.) 1733—1736. Charles, Earl of Tankerville, Thirty-seventh Master, Juue 21, 1733, to June 1737 — Annual Cost of the Pack — Records of the Runs — Ascot Races. On June 21, 1733, pursuant to the subjoined Royal Warrant, Charles, Earl of Tankerville, was ordered to be sworn into the office of Master of the Royal Buckhounds, vice Colonel Negus, deceased : — George R. Our Will and Pleasure is, that you forthwith Swear and admit, or cause to be sworn and admitted, our Right Trusty and Right Wel-beloved Cousin, Charles Earl of Tankerville into the Office and Place of Master of Our Buckhounds ; To have, hold and enjoy the same during Our Pleasure, with all Rights, Fees, Salarys, Profits, Privileges and advantages thereunto belonging, in as full and ample manner, to all intents and purposes, as Francis Negus Esq'' deceased, or any other Person hath held and enjoyed, or of Right ought to have held and enjoyed the same, And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. Given at our Court at Richmond the 21^* day of June 1733, in the Seventh Year of our Reign, By His Ma*^^ Command HoLLES Newcastle. To Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin and Councellor, Charles Duke of Grafton, Our Chamberlain of Our Household. — Home Office Records, Warrant Book, vol. xix., p. 245. As we have seen, in the last chapter, the office had been in abeyance from the death of Colonel Negus, and during that interval the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, acted in the capacity of Field Master to the Pack. In the meantime y'' Master of y*' Buck Hounds V' EARL OF TANKERVILLE, THIETY-SEVENTH MASTEE. 293 Mr. Lowen, the huntsman, very ably conducted all the details. His superintendence merited and received the approbation of the King, and with the followers of the hunt his assiduity was much appreciated. From the death of Colonel Negus to the appointment of Lord Tankerville, it would appear, by the annexed warrant, that the wages of the six horse and three foot servants of the pack amounted to 784^. a year, but, apparently, this was exclusive of the salary of the huntsman and the annual expenses incidental to feeding the hounds, etc. George R. __ „ T^ , TT , rOuR Will and Pleasure is that out of Horse & Foot Huntsmen , „ i j i i i i ■ i ^, . „ . . ^_. , „ such our ireasure as hath been or shall be their balaries Mich'' Uua"^ . , , ^r . ^ i-. • i <• -n i T7^9 • e '\r j issued to You at y*' Jtieceipt or our Jlixcheq'^ ^ ^^ , p '^ „ -/ , 1 for y'' Use of our Chamber whereof you are Treasurer You pay or Oause to be paid unto our Horse and Foot Huntsmen here- under named y" Sums set against their respective Names amounting in y" whole to One Hundred and Ninety Six Pounds, Viz. : — Horse Huntsmen : Geo. Lowen 251. W™ Lowen, Rob* Shorter, W"' Ives, W™ Holmes, and Charles Remus 26^.. each. Foot Huntsmen : John Webb and Rob* Bickar at 15^. 10s. each, and Sam' Perrin at 10/. Total 196/. Which sum is to be esteemed as part of y® Allowance on y*^ Establishment of Our Chamber for our Buck Hounds w*^^ was payable to Francis Negus Esq'' as Master thereof who is lately deceased & is to be taken by y" said respective Hvmtsmen for one Quarter on y respective Sallaries allowed them by y® said late Master and due at Michaelmas last 1732. And for so doing this shall be as well to you for payment as to our Auditors of y" Imprests? or either of them, for allowing thereof upon your Acc^ a sufficient Warr*. Given at our Court at Kensington y" 26"^ Day of Oct 1732 in y'' Sixth Year of our Reign By his Ma'''^ Command R. W. G. D. W"^ C. To our Right trusty & Well beloved John L'' Hobart Trearer of our Chamber. — Treasury Records, K.W.B., vol. xxx., p. 475. 294 HISTOKY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. Lord Tankerville's stipend as Master of the Royal Buck- hounds was at the rate of 2,341^, per annum, out of which he was obliged " to defray all the charges of the same." On June 7 Lord Tankerville set out from London en route to Windsor, " with a gard of retainers and troops," to take command of the pack, and to make all necessary preparations against the opening of the hunting season.* Special precautions had to be taken to protect the followers of the hunt from the designs of the highwaymen, who were, at this time, most aggressive in the neighbourhood of Windsor and Epping Forests. Deer-stealers, likewise, were so industrious that a proclamation had to be issued offering a reward of 50^. for every one convicted. In August, their Majesties, the Royal Family, and the Court arrived from Kensington at Hampton Court Palace, and the first meet of the Royal Buckhounds was announced to take place in Richmond New Park on Saturday, August 4. We have found no allusion to the inaugural meet of the season beyond an announcement in the Gazette that " Their Majesties and all the Royal Family " partook of that diversion on that occasion. Wednesday, August 8, same meet. — Their Majesties, Prince of Wales, Duke, and all the Royal Family, accompanied by several persons of distinction, again out. No particulars or incidents of the sport. Saturday, August 11, same meet. — Their Majesties, the Duke, the Princesses Royal and Amelia, accompanied by * " A common occurrance at this time befel the Countess of Tankerville almost simelteanously with her husbands portentious journey to Windsor. It appears she was then staying on a vistit with the Duchess of Richmond at Goodwood. Whiie she was 'taking the air' in a carriage, accompanied by the Duchess, Lady Hervey, Mr. Stephen Fox and the Dean of Chichester, they were attacked on Eook Hill by two highwaymen who ordered them to stand and deliver. Mr. Fox and Lady Hervey lost their gold watches, the Coimtess her gold snuflE boox, and the Dean ' about eight guineas.' Soon after this incident we read that as Mr. Atlee, groom of the chambers to the Earl of Tankerville, was riding over Honslow Heath on his way to the Earl's Lodge in Windsor Forest, a ' Gentleman disguised in liquor,' wounded him in the body with a sword in a very dangerous manner, upon pretence that he suspected him to be a highwayman." 1733 : EECOKDS OF THE RUNS. 295 several lords and ladies of the Court, roused a stag "which the King had hunted three times last year, which [now] gave them very good diversion for about two hours, when his Majesty was pleased to order his life to be spared, and their Majesties left the chase : His Royal Highness the Duke, who was up with the Hounds, ordered he should be killed ; when Sir Robert Walpole, as being Ranger of the Park, desired his Grace would excuse it, his Majesty having commanded his life to be spared." Wednesday, August 15, Windsor Forest. — The first meet of the Buekhounds in the forest gave rise to much apprehension as to the safety of the Royal Family and the ladies and gentlemen of the Court. Highwaymen and deer-stealers and exasperated politicians were very aggressive ; so much so that the Ministers of State took the precaution to order detachments of Life Guards and Grenadiers to escort the Royal family and the lords and ladies of the Court from Hampton to the meet. No unpleasantness occurred ; large attendance, and fair run ensued. All the Royal Family up at the death. Saturday, August 18, Richmond Park. — All the Royal Family out. The King and Queen pulled up after two hours, " but the Duke and the Princess Amelia were in at the death in an hour after, and then follow 'd to Hampton Court." Saturday, August 25, Richmond Park. — All the Royal Family out, except the Prince of Wales, who was cricketing,* and the Princess Royal, who was ordering her trousseau, those out having enjoyed a capital run. The Duke of Grafton, Lord Chamberlain, had the misfortune to be thrown from his horse into a mill-race near Datchet, and was seriously ill from the effect of the spill for some considerable time afterwards. Saturday, September 1, Sunbury Common. — Their Majesties and some members of the Royal Family participated in a good * This match was for a silver cup given by His Eoyal Highness, and played for by Mr. Stead's 11 men of Kent v. The Prince of Wales' 11 men of Surrey. On August 28 the Prince's 11 played against Lord Gage's 11 for 100 Guineas. Cricket became very popular in the reigns of George I. and George II., though its progress is not recorded in the books of reference on the game. 296 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. run. The stag was taken near Harrow-on-the-Hill, and the Royal hunting party then returned to Hampton Court. Wednesday, September 5. — "Their Majesties and the Royal Family hunting a Stag in Surrey, he passed the River Thames, and took into some strong Inclosures near Staines in Middlesex, belonging to one Richd. Violet, who clap'd up a Chain, and refused the Sportsmen Admittance, telling the Noblemen, who expostulated with him, he luas King in his own grounds. Some of the courtiers were for violent Mea- sures; but their Majesties being informed of it, ordered the Farmer some Gold, and then he took down his Chain, and the Stag was soon after Killed." The good sense and tact here exercised by the King and Queen was a severe reproof to the indiscretion of those who, smarting at the check, would have overridden the law. Considering the unpopularity of the Court at the moment, we must commend the farmer's conduct, as — " One whose free actions vindicate the cause Of sylvan liberty o'er feudal laws " {ScoW). Saturday, September 8, St. George's Hill (Surrey side). — Stag uncarted ; gave a good run for nearly two hours, and killed on Red Hill. King, Queen, and the Royal Family reported to have taken part in the " diversion." Wednesday, September 12, Richmond Park.- — " The Stag that was roused at Fan-Grove, carry'd the Royal Family a Chase of about 40 Miles, four Miles beyond Bagshot. The King changed his Horses four Times, and at length order'd the Dogs to be call'd off: Their Alajesties and the Royal Family dined with the Earl of Tankerville at Swinley Lodge, upon a cold Collation : The King commanded Lady Tankerville to sit down at Table ; and their Majesties being highly delighted with the Sport as well as with their Entertainment, return'd about Five in the Evening to Hampton Court." Saturday, September 15, Sunbury Common. — The first hind of the season was uncarted in the presence of their Majesties, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, the three eldest Princesses, and a large field of the nobility and gentry. " A 1733: KECOKDS of the euns. 297 Contribution being annually made in Favour of the Huntsmen on the first Day of their Majesties hunting the Hind, the Earl of Tankerville, Master of his Majesty's Buckhounds, held the Purse, and collected about 360L on the Spot, their Majesties giving 50 Guineas each, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales 40 Guineas, the Princess Royal 30 Guineas, the Duke and the other Princesses 50 between them ; the Ministers of State and others of the Nobility gave five Guineas each." This is the first circumstantial account we have met with of this custom. It seems to have yielded a good round sum, and if the liberality evinced on this occasion usually prevailed, it was very profitable to the deserving recipients. The hind was uncarted at 11 A.M., gave a good run of three hours, during which she crossed and recrossed the Thames several times, and at last was killed near Weybridge. Saturday, September 22, Sunbury Common. — Almost a repe- tition of the preceding meet, except in the final incident. The King ordered the hind's life to be spared, and a silver collar to be put round her neck. She was not to be hunted again. Wednesday, September 26, Sunbury Common. — Hind turned out ; ran for three hours, when " their Majesties order 'd the Dogs to be taken off" between Egham and Old Windsor, and return'd about Two to Hampton Court to Dinner." * Saturday, September 29, Sunbury Common. — Hind turned out. " Ran thro' Feltham, over part of Honslow Heath and Twickenham Common and through Hampton Town, where taking to the River, several of the Courtiers swam their Horses over, but then the Hind return'd, and crossed the Tames be- tween Teddington and Twickenham, and after a most delit- ful Chace of about three Hours, was kill'd on Sutton Common * Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal " lost a very curious wrought snufE- box, in the lid of which was a fine picture of great value, and the same was picked up by Mr. Wright, a Gentleman of the Life Guards, who was on duty to attend the Royal Party in the Chace. H.R.H. did not miss it till her return to Hampton Court, when, upon Enquiry the Commanding Officer acquainted her who had found it, upon which Mr. Wright immediately attended with it, and H.R.H. was pleased to receive it from his own Hands, and to make him a Present of Five Guineas." Fortunate Princess ! Lucky Guardsman ! 298 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. between Kingston and Epsom. It was remarkable that at this Hunting the Huntsman mistook an Ass for the Hind * in the Chase, and led on the Dogs, who followed that Scent for about Ten Minutes, to the great Diversion of the Company, when it was discovered." Wednesday, October 3, Feltham.— The King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cumberland and some of the Princesses, " attended by the Great Officers and others of the Court, came to Feltham-Field, where a Hind was turn'd out of a Waggon, and after running about an Hour and a Half swam across the Thames between Sun bury and Hampton ; the King and the Duke on Horseback, the Queen and the Princess Royal in a Chaise, ferry 'd over at Hampton Town, with great numbers of others, and many swam their Horses thro' ; the Hind turn'd back over the River between Weybridge and Shepperton, and between One and Two was killed in Chertsey Meads." Saturday, October 6, The Rubbing House, Epsom. — Hind turned out in the presence of their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family, " which led them a Chace of about 50 Miles, and was kill'd about Four o'Clock in the Afternoon, near God- stow, between Rygate and East Grinstead in Sussex. The Lady Arabella Finch was thrown from her Horse, and lay for some Time before she could get Help. The Royal Family dined with Lord Baltimore, at his House near Epsom, and returned about six to the Royal Palace at Hampton Court," Wednesday, October 17, Sunbury Common. — Their Majesties, the Duke of Cumberland, and the three eldest Princesses present, accompanied by the usual suite, hunted a hind, which swam across the Thames towards Waltham, and then headed for Esher, when, after a chase of two hours, she was killed near Upper Moseley. Saturday, October 20, Hounslow. — Their Majesties, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family, attended by several persons of quality, went from Hampton Court to Hounslow Heath, " where a Hind was turned out near the Starting-Post and hunted, which gave very good diversion for about four * A somewhat similar instance is reported in the Field of September 3, 1887. 1733: EECOEDS OF THE RUNS. 299 hours, and was at last Kill'd about half a mile from Hampton Town ; after which their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family return'd to Hampton Court to Dinner. Col. John Lumley, Brother to the Earl of Scarborough, fell from his Horse, but receiv'd very little damage. The Prince of Wales had like to have been unhors'd by a Country Fellow, who rode furiously against His Royal Highness. A Boy, son of the Earl of Berkeley's huntsman, happen'd to be thrown from behind a Coach, and Mrs. Andrews of Sunbury being in full Chace, the wheels of her Chaise ran over his Thighs, but the Child only received a slight bruise. The Queen order'd him a Guinea." Wednesday, October 24, Hounslow. — Their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family, except the Princess Louisa, went to the Earl of Isla's near Hounslow, where a hind was turned out, " but hurting one of her legs in coming out of the Waggon, ran a very short Chace, being Kill'd about 12 o'clock, near Hesson, two Miles beyond Hounslow." For some reason not mentioned we are told that " the Earl of Tankerville, as Master of the Buckhounds, removed Mr. William Lowen from being Yeoman-Pricker (or Marker of the Hounds Feet), which Place he and his Father had held for Fifty Years," and that " Sir Robert Walpole has made the said Mr. Lowen Huntsman of the Harriers in the New Park near Richmond." Thus the last run of the season was associated with a con- siderable amount of grief. During the ensuing week the Royal Family returned to town, where great preparations were in progress anent the marriage of the Princess Royal. On November 7 the Prince of Orange arrived. Shortlv before the wedding fixture he was prostrated by a fever ; the nuptials had to be postponed, which caused great disappointment, and much sympathy was manifest for the bride elect, who was deservedly popular with all classes (particularly in hunting circles) throughout the length and breadth of the land. According to the official record 100 stags and 64 hinds were " hunted and killed " by His Majesty's Buckhounds between November 5, 1731, and January 2, 1733-4. The fees payable 300 HISTOKY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. thereon, " to the keepers of His Majesty's forests and parks," amounted to 267^. William Lowen, G, Mathews, E. Booth, "and Theophilus Aldridge and Wm. Albut, successively gamekeepers for watching, keeping, and preserving the game of all kinds within and for the district of 10 miles about the Palaces of Richmond and Hampton Court at 30Z. per annum each for their salaries and \0l. each per annum each for their liveries," received in 1733, 160/. 1 734. — The Earl of Scarborough resigned his office of Master of the Horse to the King in February 1734, and was succeeded by the Duke of Richmond shortly before the opening of the hunting season in July. In March the long-deferred marriage of the Princess Royal to the Prince of Orange was celebrated in London. The happy couple departed for Holland soon after the ceremony. The princess returned to England a little before the buck-hunting season began, the first meet in the year 1734 having been announced to take place on Saturday, July 17, at Richmond New Park, at which their Majesties and all the Royal Family were expected to be present. For some reason or other the opening day was not honoured by any member of the Royal Family. The result of the run is not known, nor any incidents, except that Sir Robert Walpole was, as usual, to the fore, and officiated as field master of the pack. Monday, July 29, Richmond. — The Duke of Cumberland and several persons of distinction enjoyed a moderate run ; His Royal Highness afterwards dined with the Prince of Wales at Kew. Wednesday, August l,same meet. — Their Majesties, the Prince of Wales, the Duke, the Princess of Orange, and the Princesses Amelia and Carolina, " being attended by several Persons of Distinction, went from Kensington to Richmond New Park, and took the Diversion of hunting a Hind (being the first Time for this Season), which afforded excellent Sport for about two Hours ; and his Majesty was pleased to order his {sic) Life to be spared : After which His Majesty and the Royal Family returned to Kensington to Dinner." 1734: EBCOEDS OF THE RUNS. 301 Saturday, August 3, same meet. — Except the Princess Amelia, all the members of the Royal Family which were in the preceding run were present again, and in at the death of the first stag : " They afterwards hunted another, but His Majesty ordered his Life to be spared, and about 3 o'clock returned to Kensington." Wednesday, August 7, same meet. — The Princess Amelia, her brothers and sisters, with her father and mother, attended by several lords and ladies of the Court, hunted a stag, " which afforded very good sport for about three hours, and afterwards took the water ; where the Dogs must have inevitably been drowned in pursuing, if the Yeomen Prickers had not taken to a Boat, and Killed the Stao^ in the Water." Saturday, August 10, same meet. — The Duke of Newcastle, the Earl of Tankerville, Sir Robert Walpole, and several persons of distinction, hunted a stag and killed after a long chase. "They afterwards dined at Cap t. Jackson's Lodge in the said Park. That morning being wet, the Royal Family did not hunt." Wednesday, August 14, same meet. — Their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family out. The King in at the death after a chase of two hours; "but her Majesty had but little share in the Diversion, she continuing in her Chaise best part of the Time under a Tree." Monday, August 19, same meet. — The Duke of Cumberland attended by a great number of the nobility out. " The first Stag that was rous'd not being capable of giving Diversion, the Dogs were called off*, and a second unharbour'd, which ran for three Hours, when his Royal Highness declaring his Pleasure to have his life sav'd, the Huntsman acquainted him that the Dogs would receive great Prejudice in being so often called off in full Scent, whereupon the Chase was continued some Hours longer, till most of the Field being thrown out, and all the Hounds to two or three Couple, his Royal Highness was Pleased to command the Stag to be spared." Wednesday, August 21, same meet. — "Wednesday before Nine in the Morning their Majesties, together with the rest of the 302 HISTOKY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. Royal Family, went from Kensington to Richmond New Park, to hunt a Stag : During the Chase the Princess Amelia had the Misfortune to be thrown by her Horse, and her Petticoat hanging on the Pommel of the Saddle, she was dragg'd near 200 yards, but most providentially receiv'd no Manner of Hurt : The Right Hon. Harry Pelham took her up. Her Royal Highness afterwards remounted, in order to pursue the Chase, but the Queen would not permit it, so she returned to Kensington in a Coach an Hour before the Sport was over, and was blooded in her own Apartment by Mr. Ranby, one of the King's Surgeons. His Majesty order'd the Stagg's Life to be spared, to the End he might be hunted again. Several persons were unhorsed in the Chase." Saturday, August 24, same meet. — Princess Amelia gone to Bath. Their jNIajesties and the rest of the Ro3^al Family present at the meet, which attracted the usual crowd. " A Woman whose curiosity had carried her thither with a Child of about two Years old in her Arms, had the Infant thrown down by a Horseman's riding over her, and a Coach and Six Horses flying by at that Instant the Babe was trodden to Death and the Woman miserably bruised." The Earl of Londonderry * — " a Youth of about 17 Years of Age who was at School at Cheam " — ^joined in the chase, and after he had ridden about a mile was thrown and killed on the spot. This fatal accident threw a cloud over the run ; beyond the record of the grief nothing else has been recorded, except that the field included Prince Charles, " nephew to his most Serene Highness the Elector of Treves," accompanied by two German noblemen ; there were also present two Indian chiefs f from America, who had brought with them, as a present to the King, the " body of a flying horse," which died on the voyage. Wednesday, August 28, Hounslow Heath. — The King having * Thomas Pitt, second Earl of Londonderry. f These were Tomo-chichi and another chief of the Creeks. They arrived from America to do homage at Court. They were " Buffalo Bill'd " by Colonel Oglethorpe. Query if the " Flying Horse " was a Bucker Mustang, and so called by the animal's ability to send its rider flying. 1734: RECOKDS OF THE RUNS. 303 decided to make Hounslow his hunting headquarters for the rest of the season, all the hunters of the Royal Family were sent on there from Hampton Court. About 9 a.m. on Wednes- day morning, their Majesties and all the Royal Family (except the Princess Amelia) set out from Kensington to the new fixture. On their arrival there a stag was turned out at the starting post. He headed for Staines, but being turned ran as far as Brentford, where he crossed the Thames, recrossed the river at Hampton Town, ran through Staines, and thereabouts crossed the river twice, " and was kill'd about half-an-hour after Three, at Water-Oakley near Windsor. Their Majesties gave out at Thorp, about a Mile from Staines, after following him above 30 Miles ; but their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Duke were in at the Death." The latter dined at the " Red Lion " at Hounslow, " having been so fatigued with the Diversion of hunting the Stag that Day (who ran one of the most delightful Chaces ever known), that they could not reach the Palace at Kensington by Dinner-time." Saturday, August 81, same meet. — -Present their Majesties and all the members of the Royal Family above mentioned, accompanied by " the Lord High Chancellor and several other Persons of Distinction. The Stag ran them a Chace of about three Hours, and about twenty Miles, and was kill'd two Miles beyond Watford in Hertfordshire. He ran so very hard, and in such an enclos'd Country, that there were but six Gentlemen in at the Death, and but few of the Huntsmen ; and to encourage the Dogs, they were suffer'd to eat the whole Stag. The Duke in riding pitch'd over his Horse's Head, but received no Hurt by the Fall, and was first in at the Death." Wednesday, September 4, same meet. — Present, their Majesties and most of the Royal Famil3^ No details of the run. Saturday, September 7, same meet. — No information.* Wednesday, September 11, same meet. — "Their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family hunted a Stag on Honslow * The Prince of Wales hunted with the City Hounds. The meet was at Cheshunt, Herts, " the Lord Mayor's Country House being near that Place." 304 HISTOKY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES, Heath, which ran several times across the Thames, and about three o'Clock was Killed near Egham ; after which their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family accepted an In- vitation to dine at his Grace the Duke of Newcastle's at his Seat at Clermont." Saturday, September 14, same meet. — The King, Queen, and Royal Family present, " where a Stag was turned out of a Deer Waggon, and run by Hanworth, down French-street, in Sunbury, and cross'd the Thames below that Town, run up Walton Field, and so to Walton Common and over Redhill by Ockham, and was kill'd near Effingham in Surrey. The King cross'd the Thames at Sunbury, but the Stag was, when his Majesty landed, gone above half an Hour before. The Queen, Princess Royal, and Princess Caroline, cross'd the Thames in their Chaises at Walton, but all the Royal Family were not in at the Death. The Prince in his return from hunting stopt and refresh'd himself at Col. Wyvill's at Walton, and went afterwards and din'd at Sir John Chardin's at Kempton Park near Sunbary. This being Holy Rood Day when their Majesties leave off Stag hunting, and on which Day the Con- tribution or Bounty Money is usually given in Favour of the Huntsmen, the Right Hon. the Earl of Tankerville, Master of his Majestie's Buckhounds, held the Purse, and collected near 300 Guineas, their Majesties giving 100, the Prince of Wales 40, the Duke, the Princess of Orange, and the Princess Caroline, 50 between them, and most of the Noblemen five each." Wednesday, September 18, same meet. — The Duke of Cumber- land and numerous persons of quality had a good run of three hours, and killed the stag near Harrow. The Duke and several noblemen were mired in a bog near the Powder Mill on Hounslow Heath. Saturday, September 21, same meet. — " Their Majesties and the Royal Family diverted themselves with hunting a Stag (that had been hunted several Times before) which afforded very good Diversion for near four Hours, when his Majesty order 'd his Life to be spared, and returned with the Queen and Prin- cesses to Kensington to Dinner. The Prince of Wales and the 1734: RECORDS OF THE RUNS. 305 Duke continued the Chase for some Time after, and at length the Prince return'd to his House at Kew, and the Duke to Kinofston." As the Princess of Orano^e and the Princess Caro- line were returnino; to Kensing-ton a wheel came off of their carriage, and they were nearly spilled ; but fortunately the coachman pulled up the horses in time, and thus prevented any accident to the fair Dianas, beyond a slight shock. As a precautionary measure the Princess of Orange " was let blood " on her arrival at the Palace. This was her last day in the hunting fields of old England. Wednesday, September 25, same meet. — Duke of Cumber- land and a large field out. Killed the stag near Harrow. His Royal Highness thrown, but without damage. Bad weather prevented their Majesties joining in the chase. Wednesday, October 2, same meet. — Their Majesties and some of the Royal Family, attended by several lords and ladies of the Court, hunted a hind, " which afforded a pleasant chase of about 4 hours, and was killed near Brentford." The young Ear] of Londonderry, who was on a visit with the Royal Family, was in this run, and had for his pilot the King and the Prince of Wales. With all their faults, this much-maligned King and Prince had their hearts in the right place when any circumstance deserving of sympathy came under their notice. Saturday, October 19, Richmond New Park. — Their Majesties and some of the Royal Family at the meet. No details of the sport, which seems to have been eclipsed by the grief. " Mr. James Fouch, a Groom belonging to his Royal Highness, was thrown from his Horse, by which Accident he had the Misfor- tune to break his Collar-bone, together with one of his Legs ; but they were immediately set by Mr. Ramby, the King's Surgeon. Mr. Lowen, head Groom to his Majesty, was likewise flung oflf his Horse, and broke his Arm." So much for the last run with the Royal Buckhounds in that season, so far, at least, as the reports of the proceedings of the pack have been chronicled. As in previous cases, many runs cannot be traced; but upon the whole the season appears to have been a good one, 60 stags and 17 hinds having been hunted and killed, as 20 306 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. appears by the fees paid by the Master of the Horse to the Keepers of Windsor Forest, Windsor Great Park, Richmond Park, and Epping Forest, amounting, at the usual rates, to 1551. 1735. — Parliament was prorogued in the last week of July, when the Queen Regent announced her intention of hunting with the Royal Buckhounds on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the ensuing season. The first meet took place in the New Park, Richmond, on Saturday, August 9. In the meantime the horses appear to have headed the hounds, so far as related to the races at Ascot, which were held in the preceding week. On Monday, August 4, the 40 Guinea Plate for hunters carrying 12 stone each was won by Mr. Moor's sorrel gelding Spot, from the Earl of Tankerville's bay stone horse Achilles, the Hon. Mr. Masham's chestnut gelding Farmer, and Captain Clayton's cropped gelding Squirrel. The next day the Huntsmen's Plate of 10 guineas for horses, etc., carrying 10 stone each, was won by Mr. Richell's gre}' gelding Augur-Eye, from Mr. Lowen's bay stone horse Whitefoot, Mr. Ives' bay stone horse Tantivy, Mr. Holme's bay gelding Mad Cap, Mr. Tempro's chestnut gelding Fearnought, Mr. Webb's black gelding Tinker, and Mr. Shorte's bay mare Tumble Down; and on the Wednesday the Duke of Marlborough's chestnut gelding Diver won the 30 Guinea Plate, for horses, etc., carrying 10 stone each, from Mr. Bowler's bay-brown mare Miss Rattle. This was the first meeting at Ascot that extended over three consecutive days, with one race per diem, including " a great Match of Cock-fighting at the sign of the Flower-de-luce in Hatchet Lane, for two Guineas a Battle, and Twenty Guineas on the odd Battle, between the Gentle- men of Hampshire and the Gentlemen of Berkshire." Festina lente seems to have been the motto of the C.C. Let us now hark back to the opening day. First and fore- most it was announced that " Upon Account of the great Crowds and Throngs of People that have attended the Stag- Hunting at New-Park, when the Royal Family were hunting there, which has rendered the Riding there not only very 1735 : EECOEDS of the euns. 307 troublesome, but very dangerous, her Majesty has been pleased to order, That no Person shall be admitted into the Park with- out a Hunting Ticket, prepared for that Purpose, with the Date of the Day, and the Seal of the Ranger; to be given Weekly, by the Ranger or his Deputy, upon proper Applica- tion." The Prime Minister, who was Ranger there at this time, must have had his hands pretty full, (By the way, he had just presented the Princess Amelia with "a fine hunting horse.") With the exception of the King, who was boar- hunting in Hanover, and the Princess of Orange, who had recently presented her husband with an heir, all the Royal Family followed the stag, " which afforded excellent sport for near three Hours." Saturday, August 16, same meet. — All the Royal Familj above mentioned hunted a stag " for above two Hours ; after the Death Her Majesty returned to Richmond to Dinner, and in the Evening to Kensington." Monday, August 18, Windsor Forest. — The Duke of Cumber- land and the Princess Amelia, attended by the Duke of Grafton, Sir Robert Walpole, and several persons of distinction, " took the Diversion of Staojhuntine: in Windsor Forest." Saturday, August 23, Richmond. — Her Majesty and the Royal Family out, and in at the death of the stag after a run of about two hours. Wednesday, September 3, Windsor. — " On Wednesday morn- ing about Four o'Clock [a.m.], their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Princess Amelia set out from Kensington, and about Eight rous'd a Stag in Windsor-Forest, which gave them very good Sport for near five Hours, when he was kill'd at Billingbear near Egham ; soon after which they accidentally rous'd an out- lying Stag, which continued their Diversion till about Four in the Afternoon, when their Royal Highnesses quitted the Chace, and did the Earl of Tankerville the Honour of dining with him at his Lodge at Swinley." The Prince of Wales lost this good run and 1,000^. besides, for which sum he backed his eleven against Kent in a cricket match. Saturday, September 6, Richmond. — All the Royal Family 308 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. hunted a stag, which was killed in the pond " after a pleasant chase of three hours." Saturday, September 13, — Two meets were announced for this day — viz., at Richmond and Hounslow. At the latter a hind was to be turned out for the first time this season. We cannot find any further reference to either of them. Wednesday, September 17, Windsor. — The Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Amelia hunted a hind in the forest, which was killed after a pleasant chase of about two hours, and afterwards dined with the Master at Swinly Lodge. Saturday, September 20, Richmond. — Her Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family hunted a hind, which was killed after a good run of three hours. The Queen dined at Kew, and afterwards returned to Kensington. Saturday, September 27, same meet. — The Queen, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cumberland, the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, attended by several persons of distinction, hunted a stag. No details of tiie run mentioned. Saturday, October 4, same meet. — All the Royal Family, " attended by several Nobles of the Court," hunted a stag for about two hours. Her Majesty afterwards dined at Kew, and returned to Kensington in the evening. Wednesday, October 15, Windsor. — The Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Amelia, attended by the Dukes of Newcastle and Grafton, and other persons of distinction, " took the Diversion of hunting a Hind in Windsor Forest." Saturday, October 18, Richmond. — The Queen and all the Royal Famil}'^ hunted a hind, " which afforded a pleasant chase fur two hours." This was the last run of the season with the Royal Buckhounds. The King arrived at Harwich from Hanover on Sunday, October 26, consequently he could not have hunted with this pack at all, although he had good sport at Gohree during his absence from England. It is somewhat remarkable to notice that during this season there is not a single instance of grief recorded. Possibly the reporters had instructions not to go into details. If they 1736 : EECOEDS of the euns. 309 •offended, the hunting ticket might have been withheld, so far, at least, as the meets in Richmond Park were concerned. The official record of sport with the pack for this season shows that 54 stags, 36 hinds, and 2 bucks were hunted and killed, and the fees paid thereon to the keepers amounted to 145^. 1736. — The Parliamentary Session having closed in May, the King proceeded to visit his German dominions, as he had likewise done in the preceding year, taking with him Mr. Horace Walpole as Deputy Secretary of State, and leaving the Queen as Regent in England. During his absence, the tranquillity which England had now enjoyed for so many years was slightly ruffled. A great number of poor Irish having come over in the summer, not merely worked at the hay and corn harvest as was usual, but engaged themselves at the Spitalfields looms at two-thirds of the ordinary wages. The cockney weavers, declining to have their wages reduced from lOs. and 12s. to 6s. or 8s. a week, raised riots on several nights during the first week of the buck-hunting season, and attacked a public-house where the Irish resorted. Similar riots occurred about Michaelmas, when the new Gin Act came into operation. But the presence of Sir Robert Walpole on both of these occasions checked these riots without bloodshed or injury or damage. In Edinburgh, however, a serious dis- turbance took place, culminating in the well-known Porteous riots, by which the Queen was greatly irritated, as she construed them to be an insult to her person and authority. There is a tradition that Her Majesty, in the first burst of her resentment, petulantly exclaimed to the Duke of Argyle, that, sooner than submit to such things, she would make Scotland a huatiuoj field. " In that case. Madam," answered Argyle, with a pro- found bow, but with no courtly spirit, " I will take leave of your Majesty, and go down to my own country to get my hounds ready ! " Eventually these difficulties were overcome, and domestic affairs again ran smoothly in the old grooves. Unfortunately another obstacle had arisen in Che bosom of the Court. Frederick, Prince of Wales, was now in open 31 U HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. opposition to bis father and mother's Court. Although in political alliance with many honourable patriotic members of the opposition, there was a back-stairs influence of unprincipled persons, by whom he was unwittingly led away from the right path. His marriage in April 1736, to Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, a princess of beauty and excellent judgment, did not, as was hoped, restore union to the Royal Family. His establishment was not one fitting to support his dignity, and the Ministry enforced this parsimony, not from economical motives, but to suit their own book. Saturday, July 24, Richmond. — Her Majesty, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, and the rest of the Royal Family, "hunted (for the first Time this Season) a Stag in Richmond New Park, and in the Evening their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by several Persons of Quality, went to the Theatre at Richmond to see the Comedy of the Tender Husband and the Honest Torksiiireman (which was perform'd to a splendid Audience with universal Applause), and they afterwards returned to Kensington." Wednesday, July 28, Windsor. — The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cumberland, and the two eldest Princesses, accompanied by a large field, hunted a stag for " above four hours," and killed him on Ascot Heath. Saturday, July 31, Richmond. — The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family roused a stag in the New Park, which was run into and killed after " a chase of about three hours." In the evening the Prince and Princess attended the Theatre at Richmond, and afterwards returned to their residence at Kew. Wednesday, August 4, Richmond. — Meet announced, but was not attended by the Queen or the Royal Family, as on this day, "the Queen, the Duke, and the Princesses came in Coaches from Kensington, and drove round Grosvenor, Han- over, and Soho Squares ; and came afterwards to Lincoln's- Inn Fields to see the Works carrying on there." The following day the Prince and Princess of Wales went to breakfast at Windsor Castle, dined with Lord Archibald Hamilton at 1736: RECORDS of the runs. 311 Henley, and angled for salmon in the Thames. The Queen reiterated the order of last season, " that no Stranger be admitted at Richmond New Park on Hunting days without tickets, which are to be delivered by the Ranger there." Saturday, August 7, Richmond, — The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, went from Kensington and were joined at the New Park by the Prince and Princess of Wales. A stag was hunted, but no particulars of the run transpired. Wednesday, August 11, Richmond. — Neither the Queen nor any member of the Royal Family hunted on account of the intensity of the heat. Saturday, August 14. — Heavy rain in the morning prevented the Queen, and probably many others, from hunting, although they were at the meet. Wednesday, August 17, Windsor. — No intelligence. Saturday, August 21, Richmond. — The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Cumberland, the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, the Prince and Princess of Wales, hunted a stag, " and after a pleasant Chase of about three Hours, the Stag was killed by the Water-side. Her Majesty dined at Richmond, but returned to Kensington in the evening." Saturday, August 28, Richmond. — Her Majesty and the Royal Family hunted a stag, " and after a Pleasant Chase of severall hours killed it near the Great Pond, after which the Queen, &c., went to Kew to Dinner, and returned to Kensington in the evening." Wednesday, September 1, Windsor. — The Duke of Cumber- land and the Princess Amelia arrived from Kensington at the Castle; but in consequence of the heavy rain did not join in the hunt. Saturday, September 4, Richmond. — The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Amelia, were present at the meet. The weather being "foul" Her Majesty did not hunt, and returned to Kensington in the evening. The meet was largely attended; many coaches were "delivered" by the highwaymen on their return to town. 312 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. Saturday, September 11, Richmond. — Her Majesty, the Duke of Cumberland, the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, were joined at the meet by the Prince and Princess of Wales, where a stag was uncarted, and " after a pleasant chase of two hours and a half was killed near the Pond." Saturday, September 18, Richmond. — "On Saturday morning, about six o'clock [a.m.]. Her Majesty, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Duke, and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, went from Kensington to take the Diversion of hunting at Richmond New Park ; where the Prince and Princess of Wales repaired from Kew ; and after a Chace of about three Hours, the Stag was killed near the Waterside. Her Majesty dined there, and in the Afternoon walked about the Garden, and stay'd about half an hour at Merlin's Cave, to consider the properest Place where to put the twelve Bustos of the Queens of England, etc., and returned to Kensington about ten o'Clock at Night, escorted by a squadron of the Horse Guards." * Saturday, September 25, Richmond. — Present, the Queen, Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, when they hunted a stag. No details of the run. Wednesday, October G, Sunbury Common. — The Queen and the Royal Family (as previously mentioned) hunted a hind, " which was kill'd after a Chase of about Three Quarters of an Hour." Saturday, October 9, Richmond. — '* The heavy Rains that fell on Saturday last, prevented the Royal Family's Hunting in the New Park." Wednesday, October 13, Hounslow. — The Duke of Cumber- land, the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, and a very large field hunted a hind, which was turned out about 10 A.M. at Feltham, on Hounslow Heath. She ran by Hanworth to Sunbury, where she crossed the Thames, and made to Walton Common, then passed through Esher, and, after crossing the * It was announced that a hind was to be turned oiit on Hounslow Heath on the date of this fixture, " when the annual Contribution will be gather'd for the Huntsmen " ; but we can find no further reference to it. 1736: RECOKDS OF THE EUNS. 313 river again, recrossed the Thames at Hampton Court. She next headed for the river, and swam across, when she was driven back, and, after a chase of four hours, "was Kill'd near the House of the Hon. Arthur Onslow, Esq., at Ember Court near Ditton. Their Royal Highnesses followed the Chace no further than Esher; and after dining with the Hon. Mr. Pelham, returned in the Evening to Kensington." Grief: the Earl of Lincoln thrown into a ditch, and very much brused ; Mr. George Stanforth, " a Young Gentleman of good Family in Yorkshire," both legs broken. Wednesday, October 20, Hounslow. — The Duke and the two eldest Princesses, attended by divers noblemen and gentlemen present. At the starting post a hind was turned out; she gave a good run for " several hours," and was killed near Hampton town. Wednesday, October 27, Hounslow. — The same members of the Royal Family and a large field hunted a hind for about two hours, which they killed near Staines. Saturday, October 30, Richmond. — " Tho' her Majesty has left off the Diversion of Hunting till his Majesty's Return to England ; the Duke and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, accompanied by several of the Nobility went from Kew to hunt a Stag at Richmond New Park ; and, after a Pleasant Chase till one o'clock the Stag was killed near the Pond." Thursday, November 4, Hounslow. — A hind was turned out at Fan Grove, in the presence of the Duke of Cumberland, the two eldest Princesses, and a considerable field. No details. Saturday, November 6, Hounslow. — Ditto. Thursday, November 11, Hounslow. — -Ditto. Saturday, November 13. — "On Saturday last her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess Caroline, went to Kew, whither the Duke and the Princess Amelia repaired from Hounslow-heath, where they took the Diversion of hunting a Hind, which was killed after two Hours pleasant Chaise, and returned to Kensington in the evening." Wednesday, November 17, Banstead Downs. — The Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Amelia, attended by several 314 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. persons of distinction, hunted a hind, and, after a pleasant run of two and a half hours, killed on Forest Hill. Wednesday, November 24, Barham Downs. — "Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and the Princess Amelia, attended by several of the NobiHty, went to take the Diversion of hunting a Hind at Barham Downs ; but the Weather proving very indifferent, they returned to Kensington without Killing the Hind." Wednesday, December 1, Banstead Downs. — The Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Amelia, attended by several persons of distinction, hunted a hind, which was killed " near the Pond " after a pleasant run of about two hours. Although the young Duke and his hard-riding little sister were announced to hunt a hind on Banstead Downs on the following Saturday, that event did not take place. When the fixture was made it was probably forgotten that on that day the Princess Amelia entered her thirteenth year ; consequently the family festivities on the happy occasion at Kensington prevented any hunting at Banstead. Hence December 1 was the last hunting day recorded (so far as we can ascertain) with the Royal Buck- hounds in the year 1736. With this season came the dawn of that change, or rather prolongation, of staghunting, and the subsequent alteration of the hunting season as we find it now established. And it is to those two royal youths we owe, in a great measure, the result. The King set sail from Helvoet- sluys on Monday, December 23, and, the wind being fair, he expected to be back in London on Christmas Day. After a run of about six leagues the wind changed, and blew very hard, the sea ran mountains high, and the Royal Yacht, with his Majesty on board, got within ten miles of Yai'mouth, but could not reach the beach without great risk of going ashore ; consequently she had to put about, and run before the wind back to Helvoetsluys, where the King disembarked. There he was detained by contrary winds and foul weather till February 13, 1737. The following day he arrived ofi' Lowestoft, " where 40 Sailors in White Shirts, went into the sea up to their Chins, and as soon as the Boat, his Majesty was in, came ASCOT KACES. 315 at them, they took it out of the Sea, and carried it safe to Land," The King proceeded thence by road in his coach to London, where he arrived the following morning. During his stay in Hanover he frequently hunted the stag, but his prin- cipal sport was among the wild boars of the Westphalian mountains, the royal bag on September 24, near Gifhorn, having totalled no fewer than 70 head of those unclean though savoury tuskers. The official record of sport with the Royal Buckhounds for this season shows that 101 head of deer were killed and hunted.* The Ascot races took place in September, On Monday, the 20th, the purse of 40 Guineas for hunters carrying 12 stone, saddle and bridle included, which had been ridden by their owners, "being gentlemen, to the death of a leash of stags this season, and that have not won the value of 51. in plate or money." The best of three heats (4 miles) was walked over for by Mr. Smith's bay horse Factor. On Tuesday, the 21st, the Town Plate of Windsor of 20^. for any horse, mare, or gelding, carrying 10 stone, that never won above the value of 201. in plate or money at any one time, was won by Lord Gower's horse, Tumbler, by beating Mr. Downe's chestnut- grey mare Stay till I Come. On Wednesday, the 22nd, the Purse of 30 Guineas for hunters, carrying 10 stone, including saddle and bridle, "conformable to the qualifications of the first Article," was won by the Hon. John Spencer's bay horse, Robin Hood, beating Mr. Smallwood's grey mare, Lightfoot, and Mr. Long's chestnut horse Sly. The horses had to be entered on September 13 "at the house of Mr. John Tempro at Sunning-Hill Wells, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon," each horse entered for the 80 and 40 Guinea Plates, to pay one * The keepers of Swinley Walk, New Lodge Walk, Bagshot, and Easthamsted Walk, Billingbear Walk, Cranborn Walk, the Great Park, Richmond Park, and Epping Forest, for their fees for killing, with his Majesty's hounds 68 stags, at 21. each, 29 hinds at 11. each, and 3 bucks at os. each between December 31, 1735, and December 31, 1736, by virtue of a warrant dated March 14, 1730, and a certificate under the hand of Charles, Earl of Tankerville, of the number killed, nil. 10.9. 316 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. guinea entrance, if a subscriber; if not, two guineas. The entrance for the Town Plate was two guineas on the day of entrance, or three guineas at the post, " and no less than three horses to start which are esteem'd running horses." A good ordinary was announced on every day of the races " at the said Mr. Tempro's." 317 CHAPTER XV. GEORGE II. {continued)— 1737 -17 U. Ralph Jenison, Esq., Thirty-Eighth Master : July 7, 1737, to December 25, 1744. — Records of the Runs. — Ascot Races. 1737. — The hunting season of 1737 with this pack opened late and ended early. Mr. Ralph Jenison had succeeded Lord Tankerville as jNIaster of the Royal Buckhounds shortly before the season began. About the first week in August the King and the Royal Family arrived from Richmond at Hampton Court Palace. The Prince and Princess of Wales were at Kew, The King was far from well. The Queen was slowly, but surely, approaching her death. The weather was inclement. Political affairs were in a worse muddle than ever, and the botheration over the financial allowance of the Heir-Apparent and the settlement of the Princess gave rise to much unneces- sary unpleasantness in Court and political circles. Then the Princess of Wales was sent to St. James', and there safely delivered of a princess by " Mrs. Cannon, the Midwife of the Archbishop of York." These and other circumstances partly broke up and interrupted the hunting fixtures, so far as related to the Royal Family and the Court. When these interruptions were to some extent adjusted. Lady Walpole died, and she was soon after followed to the grave by another of the King's most intimate friends, Baron Hartoff, who was Secretary of State for Hanover, and a prominent follower of the Royal Buck- hounds. The first meet of this season took place on Wednesday, August 3, Richmond. — The King, Queen, Duke 318 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. of York, and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline arrived at the New Park from Hampton Court. A stag was roused, " and Notwithstanding the Heaviness of the Rain they staid till Twelve o'Clock before they quitted the Field." Saturday, August 19, Hounslow. — "His Majesty, the Duke and the Princess Amelia, attended by several Persons of Dis- tinction, went from Hampton-Court to Hounslow-Heath, where a Stag was turn'd out of a Waggon at the Starting-Post, which afforded them excellent Diversion for about two Hours, and was Kill'd in Feltham Fields near Hounslow." Wednesday, August 24, Twickenham Common. — " It rained so very hard, that his Majesty got into his Coach soon after the Hounds were laid on, and went to Hampton Court ; this was the first Stag that has been brought from Windsor Forest, and turned out this Year. This Stag took the Enclosures directly, and shew'd little Sport ; and it rained hard great Part of the Chase." Saturday, September 3, Hounslow. ^ — The King, Queen, Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses at the meet, " where a Stag was turn'd out which had been brought from Windsor Forest. It gave a great deal of good Diversion for about four Hours, and was Kill'd near Hampton-Town ; his Majesty chang'd Horses four Times." Wednesday, September 14, Hounslow (?) — The King, Queen, Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline " took the Diversion of Stasf-Huntino- " where not mentioned. " It being Holy Cross Day, Ralph Jennison, Esq., Knight of the Shire for Northumberland, and Master of his Majesty's Buck-Hounds, held the Purse according to Custom to their Majesties, Nobility, Gentry, &c., when a considerable Contri- bution was made for the King's Huntsmen. After the Diver- sion was over their Majesties returned to Hampton-Court to Dinner." Saturday, September 17, Sunbury Common. — The same members of the Royal Family, attended by several persons of distinction, hunted a stag, " which carry 'd them from 9 to 1 o'clock a Chace of about forty Miles, he crossing the Thames 1737 : EECOEDS OF THE KUNS. 319 several times, and at last took to Windsor-Forest, where his Majesty order'd the Dogs to be call'd off and a silver Collar to be put about the Stag's neck, and order'd that he should never be hunted again ; after which they returned to Hampton- Court to Dinner." Monday, September 19, Sunbury Common. — Their Majesties, the Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses hunted a hind, which gave a good run for two hours. Killed near Teddington. " During the Chace his E,oyal Highness fell from his Horse on Hounslow-Heath, and receiv'd a slight Hurt." Wednesday, September 21, Sunbury Common. — The same members of the Royal Family hunted a hind, " which afforded them good Sport for two Hours, when it was Killed near Kingston- Wick." Saturday, September 24, Hounslow Heath. — The same members of the Royal Family " took the Diversion of Hunting a Hind from Hounslow-Heath, which cross'd the Thames and ran beyond Guildford in SuiTey, then turn'd back, and was taken as she was crossing the Thames near Staines ; but his Majesty order'd her Life to be spared, and about Five o'Clock their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family return'd to Hampton-Court to Dinner. The Duke of Cumberland fell with his Horse, and pitching on his Face, his Royal High- ness had a great Effusion of Blood from his Nose." The highwaymen in the neighbourhood of Hounslow Heath were in battalions strong, and woe betide the straggling stag-hunter who fell into their clutches. This was Queen Caroline's last appearance in the hunting field. She died on the ensuing November 20, to the deep and lasting grief, not only of the King, her family, and friends, but of the nation. During the ten years (1727 till 1737) in which she yielded so great an influence over public business, it con- tinued to flow in a smooth and uniform current, seldom broken by obstacles, and bearing along comparatively few materials for history. It was her greatest pleasure to mingle with the people, and for many years she took especial delight in frater- nising with the field at the meets of the Royal Buckhounds. 320 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. As we have already recorded, the unrestrained liberty which was so cheerfully accorded to every one to attend those happy reunions with the Royal Pack in the New Park at Richmond, was so grossly abused, chiefly by importunate Germans, that it became absolutely necessary to restrict the loafers and beg- ging impostors, who frequently interfered with the real followers of the hounds. To stop these abuses the hunting tickets were a happy thought, as no one was allowed to enter the Park on these hunting mornings except those provided with one. All bond-fide followers of the pack obtained the necessary " permit " ; indeed, no instance of any refusal is recorded. The young members of the Royal Family were " well entered " by Her Majesty in the art and mysteries of the chase, and their subsequent career in the hunting field proved how worthy they were of such an able preceptor. In strictly political matters holes can be picked in the Queen's conduct. She cer- tainly governed by bribery. Her Ministers were corrupt and venal ; they wanted their price, and got it. That was the Queen's misfortune, not her fault. Unprincipled politicians brought her name into unnecessary conflict with the people over the Excise Act ; and although the Royal Family had really nothing to do with the Great Gin Question of the day, it was made a party cry to the prejudice of the Court. This, like many other libels on the personality of the members of the House of Hanover, must be ignored by the impartial and dis- passionate analyst of their form in rural affairs. It is asserted by the editor of Lord Hervey's " Memoirs of the Reign of George the Second," that Queen Caroline did not love hunting. Without disputing this statement, it would appear by the contemporary chronicles of the runs with the Royal Buckhounds that Her Majesty evinced more than a passing interest in the chase, and was solicitous that her children should be courageous and prudent followers of the pack. Possibly Lord Hervey may have found those Wednes- days and Saturdays, " which were the King's days for hunting," favourable opportunities of entertaining the Queen, " whilst other people were entertaining themselves with hearing dogs 1738 : EECORDS OF THE RUNS. 321 bark and seeing crowds gallop." We are told Lord Hervey did not love hunting, although he was mounted on those occasions on hunters placed at his disposal by the Queen. With Walpole so prominent in connection with the pack it is possible Lord Hervey deemed it prudent to avoid anything which might be construed to give umbrage to the Prime Minister, who could rarely brook a rival in the field or senate. According to the official certificate of the Master of the Buckhounds, 55 stags and 15 hinds were hunted by the pack during this season. 1738. — Preparatory to the opening of the season of 1738, with our pack, the Duke of Kingston was gazetted to the ofiice of Master of His Majesty's Staghounds " on the North side of Trent," vice the Earl of Carlisle deceased ; and the Right Hon. Pobert Lord Walpole to be Master of His Majesty's Harriers and Foxhounds. The Earl of Tankerville resigned his gold staff as one of the Lords of the Bedchamber to the King, and soon after embarked for Holland. George III. was newly born. The Prince and Princess of Wales and young George and his little sister arrived at Cliefden House " for the summer season," where they received a present, from the Earl of Chesterfield, " of Cato (his Black), who is recon'd to blow the best French Horn and Trumpet in England."* Then we are told that there were " Shipp'd for Copenhagen six fine hunting horses and a Pack of Stag Hounds for the use of his Danish Majesty." " A Stag Hunter's Plate was run for on Honslow Heath, and won by Dr. Munro's ch. gelding All-deceiv'd-in-Toby." The King's hunting horses were ordered to be in readiness against August 2 " for the stag and hind hunting on Sunbury Common." * " Cato," previous to this time, had been in the service of Sir Robert Walpole. His portrait was painted in a group of hunting celebrities by Wooton, and is here engraved from the original picture in the possession of Walter Gilbey, Esq., at Elsenham Hall, Essex. The Prince of Wales appointed " Cato " head game- keeper at Cliefden, and afterwards at Richmond Park. Among the novel presents sent to the Prince and Princess of Wales, on the birth of George III., was a " newly invented " perambulator, made by "Mr. Bassinet, the eminent upholsterer in Piccadilly.'' 21 322 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. The fii'st meet with the Buckhounds was announced to take place in the New Park, Richmond, on Saturday, July 1, but nothing further about it, or any ensuing one, transpires until Wednesday, July 26, Windsor Forest, when the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, " and the eldest Princess took the Diversion of staghunting, which afforded them good Sport for several Hours." C^TO. Wednesday, August 2, Windsor. — The King, Duke 'of Cumberland, and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline roused a stag, which gave a run of " several hours ; after which His Majesty returned to Kensington to dinner." Saturday, August 12, Richmond. — The King, Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses arrived from Kensington at the New Park, where they roused a stag, " which carried them a Pleasant Chace of an Hour and a Half, and was killed as he was going to take the great Pond. After the Chace was ovei', 1738: RECORDS OF THE RUNS. 323 the Dake and the Princesses returned to Kensinofbon, his Majesty and the Lords of the Bedchamber in Waiting, went to view her late Majesty's House at Richmond, and at two o'clock returned to Kensington." Wednesday, August 16, Richmond. — No information, Wednesday, September 20, Hounslow Heath. — The Duke of Cumberland and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline announced to hunt a hind. No reports. Saturday, September 2.3, Hounslow, — The King, Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses " went from Kensington to Hounslow Heath, where a Hind was turn'd out to be hunted ; the Chace began at Ten o'Clock, and lasted 'till One, during which Time the Hind cross'd the Thames several Times, and after a fine Chace, was Kill'd near Staines. A Contribution being annually made, on the first Day of his Majesty's hunting the Hind, Ralph Jennison, Esq., Master of his Majesty's Buckhounds, held the Purse, and collected about 350 Guineas, his Majesty giving 100 Guineas, the Duke 30, and the Princesses 50 between them, the Ministers of State and others of the Nobility gave five Guineas each." Wednesday, September 27, Hounslow. — The King, accom- panied by the Duke of Cumberland, the Princesses Amelia and Caroline and suite, " took the Diversion of Staij-Huntinsr on Hounslow Heath as usual." Monday, October 1, Richmond. — The King, the Duke of Cumberland, and the two eldest Princesses "took the Diversion of Hunting in Richmond New Park. Next Monday a Hind will be turn'd out on Epsom Downs, so much Company spoiling the Diversion on Hounslow Heath." Wednesday, October 11, Richmond. — The same members of the Royal Family arrived at the New Park, where they hunted a hind, which gave a good run ; " and therefore the King did not receive the Compliments of the Nobility, Quality, and Foreign Ministers, on the Anniversary of his Coronation," which were to be " performed " on the following day. The hunting fixture was more important than that function ; a great honour for the chase ! Sir Robert Walpole " and divers 324 HISTOKY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. other persons of Distinction" were present. The Premier, who had lately been prostrated with illness at the New Lodge in Richmond Park (his Ranger residence), was heartily con- gratulated on his restoration to health. Saturday, October 14, Richmond. — The Duke of Cumberland, the Princess Amelia, the Dukes of Newcastle and Grafton, Sir Robert Walpole, " several other persons of distinction," and a large field roused a hind in the New Park, " which was Kill'd after a fine Chace of two Hours." Wednesday, October 18, Richmond. — The King, the Duke of Cumberland, the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, attended by several of the nobility and gentry, roused a hind, " which afibrded a pleasant chace of two hours " ; and thus (so far as the Royal Family were concerned) the season ended. According to the ofiicial certificate of the Master of the Buckhounds, 51 stags and 26 hinds — which had been procured in Swinly, New Lodge, Bagshot, Easthampstead, Billingbeare Walks, Richmond Park, and Epping Forest — constituted the quarry during this season. 1739. — Preparatory to the opening of the season of 173D Parliament was in full cry upon going to war with Spain. However, the belligerent legislators found time to pass a grant of 15,0001. a year for the Duke of Cumberland, and 24,000Z. a year for the Princesses Amelia, Caroline, Mary, and Louisa, who had just successfully negotiated a bad bout of the measles. The Royal children attended in the House of Lords when the Bills received the Royal assent, whereupon they returned thanks in the usual manner. The Prince and Princess of Wales received an ovation at Guildford races. The hunting horses belonging to the Royal Family were ordered to Hampton Court stables, and put to rights there for the ensuing season, which opened on Saturday, July 1, Richmond.— Earl}^ in the morning the Duke of Newcastle, Lord Harrington, Sir Robert Walpole, ' and divers other Persons of Quality and Distinction hunted a Stag in Richmond New Park, beino; the fii'st Time of that Diversion this Season," 1 739 : KECORDs of the runs. 325 Saturday, July 21, Windsor. — The Duke of Cumberland, the Princesses Amelia and Caroline, attended by several persons of distinction, "went to Windsor New Forest, and took the Diversion of Hunting a Stag, which carry'd them a Chace of about thirty Miles, and was Kill'd between Wateroakly and Holyport." Wednesday, August 15, Eichmond. — The King and the Duke of Cumberland, attended by several persons of distinction, roused a stag in the New Park, which gave a good run of about two hours. "After the Sport was ended, his Majesty dined at Eichmond, and returned in the Evening to Kensing- ton." This was the first time George II. was out with the pack this season. Military preparations and frequent reviews of the troops in Hyde Park and on Hounslow Heath con- siderably interrupted the hunting arrangements of the Eoyal Family. Wednesday, August 22, Eichmond. — The same members of the Eoyal Family hunted a stag from the New Park, " which afforded excellent Sport till one o'Clock," when His Majesty returned to Kensington, Saturday, August 25, Eichmond. — " His Majesty and the Eoyal Family hunted a Stag in Eichmond New Park, which was Killed after a Chace of Two Hours." Saturday, September 1, Eichmond. — The King, attended by the Dukes of Marlborough, Grafton, Newcastle, etc., hunted from the New Park. No details. Wednesday, September 5, Eichmond. — " His Majesty, the Duke, and the Princesses took the diversion of huntinor a staer in Eichmond New Park." Saturday, September 8, Hounslow Heath. — The first meet of the season here gave one of the best runs. A large field assembled, including the King, Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses, who were attended by "the Ministers of State, others of the Nobility, and Foreign Ministers." The Stag (which was brought from Epping Forest) was turned out at the starting post, ran directly to Sunbury, thence back to Hounslow Heath, thence to Southwell, and back to the Heath 326 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. again. He then ran to Hampton, where he crossed the Thames, and proceeded by Moseley Hurst away to Walton, where he recrossed the Thames, and came back to Hounslow, where he was run into and killed "after a chace of above forty Miles." The King, Sir Kobert Walpole, Lord Harrington, and Sir William Cope were up with the hounds during the whole of the run. " Mr. Serjeant, Master of the Crown Inn at XJxbridge, had the Misfortune to break his Thigh, by his Horse running away with him near Hampton Town," and was so ill that his life was despaired of. The Prime Minister was likewise laid up at his Lodge in the New Park, "having suffr'd a Great Fatigue in attending his Majesty in the long Hunting Chace." Wednesday, September 18, Hounslow, — The King, Duke of Cumberland, " and several of the Nobility," were at the meet. No details of the run ; nevertheless it must have been a " full head " one, as it was soon after announced that " His Grace the Duke of Newcastle recovers daily from his Indispo- sition, which was a violent Cold, he took in attending his Majesty a Hunting some Days ago." Sir Kobert Walpole was also on the mending list, and congratulated accordingly. Sad to say, the Prime Minister's chief motive in so constantly hunting with the Buckhounds was not exclusively attributable to his love for the chase. His presence here drove the Prince of Wales out of the field, and Walpole perceived that every encounter between the Prince and his father, amid such harmonising surroundings, would tend to heal the rupture which kept them apart. His equestrian portrait, in the summer costume worn by the followers of the Royal Buck- hounds in those days, is engraved after the original picture by Wooton. It is more interesting as a souvenir of the Royal Hunt in the reign of George II., than as a work of art. Divide et iinpera was the motto of this minister ; in no instance did he practise that precept more successfully than in fomenting dissension in the Royal Family. The heir- apparent being thus boycotted, and practically prohibited of hunting with the Royal Buckhounds, which he so dearly /^ Sir Robert Walpole 328 HISTOKY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. loved, His Eoyal Highness now purchased " a set " of Foxhounds, supplemented them with drafts from the then famous Lincolnshire strain, hired the Durdans for a hunting- box, and announced three meetings a week at Epsom Downs. To checkmate this move the Premier appointed his eldest son, Lord Kobert Walpole (whom he had previously created a peer), to the office of Master of the Eoyal Harriers and Foxhounds, with a salary of 2,000^. a year. Foxhunting had now become the most popular pastime throughout the land. The famous Charleton Club had recently celebrated its second jubilee — the club having been the pioneer of this rising branch of the chase. The Duke of Cumberland had been formally inducted into its mysteries with the Duke of Newcastle's pack, two years previously, in Sussex. And it was introduced, "according to the English method of foxhunting," into France in 1737, by the Earl of Berkeley, who " hunted that Kingdom from Aubigny." His Lordship, therefore, had plenty of room to follow his hounds. We have no room here to devote to the subject, which we commend to the investigation of those who may be interested in the rise and progress of fox-hunting. As may be inferred from the above account of the runs recorded with the Buckhounds during this season, the current of sport with the pack was frequently dammed by pressing political and cognate affairs of State. Only one hind is men- tioned as having been hunted, and only two meets assembled at Hounslow Heath, when a stag was the quarry on both of these occasions. Before the season began great preparations were made in Windsor Forest, where the officers of the Board of Works were erecting "a large room adjoining to Swinley Lodge for his Majesty and the Royal Family to dine in on Hunting-days." But, so far as we can ascertain, only one meet was reported there in this season ; hence it is possible this large room must have been better than the company. The King did not visit Windsor during this year. It would, nevertheless, appear that this had been a brilliant season. It transpires, by the official certificate of the Master of the Buckhounds, that at least 87 stags and 85 hinds ASCOT EACES. 329 had been killed and hunted by the pack. Unfortunately, the records of the runs — even on those occasions when the King and the Royal Family were out with the hounds — do not seem to be fully reported, and when Royalty did not appear in the hunting field the chroniclers of those days invariably disdained to give publicity to the proceedings of the pack. Still, we must be thankful for such small mercies, and make the most of the intelligence thus placed at our disposal. From this season onward we shall be far worse off in this respect. War — that spoil-sport — was now upon us, and during the ensuing ten years very little about the pro- ceedings of the Royal Buckhounds in the hunting field is to be found in our rural annals or cognate domestic history. Ascot races were held on July 9 and 10. On the first day of this meeting the 40 Guinea Plate for hunters carrying 12 stone was won by Colonel Horley's grey horse beating two others. On the second day the 20 Guinea Plate was won by Mr. Ives' (one of the yeomen prickers) grey mare beating six others. We shall hear nothing of Ascot races for some years hence. They were, indirectly, suppressed by the Jockey Club, and by the Act of Parliament of 13 George II. c. 19. Nearly ten years prior to this time the members of the Jockey Club held a memorable meeting on August 1, 1729, at Hackwood, the Duke of Bolton's seat in Hampshire, for the ostensible purpose : " to consider of methods for the better keeping of their respective strings of horses at Newmarket." At this meeting of the (original) members of the Jockey Club it was agreed unani- mously that steps should be taken to discountenance, and, if possible, to suppress the so-called race meetings which had, about this time, sprung up in every part of the country, on the ground that such race meetings were inimical to the true in- terests of the turf. In the metropolis several of those so-called race meetings were conducted in the most disgraceful manner. They were associated with disgusting scenes of gross profligacy, brutality, drunkenness, and robbery. During the decade 330 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. ending 1739 these hole-and-corner racing fixtures — at which a thoroughbred race-horse rarely ran — attained unenviable noto- riety, and were almost universally condemned by the public and in the press. At length the remonstrances of the members of the Jockey Club and others had the desired effect. A bill was introduced in Parliament, in which were embodied certain provisions calculated to put a stop to the atrocities perpetrated under the disguise of horse-racing. The outcome of this bill was the Act of Parliament, 13 George II. c. 19, pursuant to which it was enacted that from and after June 24, 1740, no person was allowed to enter, start, or run any horse, mare, or gelding for any race unless the animal so entered was the bond fide property of the person by whom it was entered. No person could enter more than one horse in any race. No plate could be run for under the value of 50^., any infringe- ment of this stipulation being liable to a penalty of 200^. ; five- year-old horses to carry 10 stone, six-year-olds 11 stone, and seven-year-olds, 12 stone each. The owner of any horse carrying less weight to forfeit 200^. The entrance money to go to " the second best horse," and not to what is now technically called the " Fund." The Act did not apply to Scotland or Ireland, nor to matches run for at Newmarket or York. The primary object of this Act was to hamper the objectionable hole-and-corner " race meetings " above referred to, at which one of the chief prizes was a cask of beer to the person who overtook and lifted a pig by the tail — the tail having been well greased for the occasion ! For a time, at least, the purport of this Act had the desired effect, inasmuch as these objectionable " race meetings " could not conform to the dictates of the law. Unfortunately, in passing the Act, such genuine races as those run for at Ascot and elsewhere by horses owned by staghunters and hunt-servants — to whom a large stake was not a primary object — had been overlooked ; consequently, as Ascot was too poor to raise sufficient money, or to increase the 40 and 20 Guinea Plates to two of 50^. each, this meeting had to drop out of the annals of the turf during the ensuing four years. 1740. — We were now at war with Spain. At home military 1740 : EECOEDS OF THE EUNS. 331 oi'ganisation, the camp at Hounslow, reviewing, massing, and shipping troops and sailors was the order of the day. The Royal Family were divided, and in doleful dumps among themselves. The Duke of Cumberland was not on friendly terms with the Prince of Wales, who rarely took any interest in the Royal Buckhounds, and devoted his spare time to his own particular pack. The Duke of Cumberland volunteered to serve in the naval expedition on the Spanish Main ; sailed in the Boyne frigate, and returned victorious in October. In May the King set out for Hanover, and did not return to England until November. The Princess Mary, heretofore a conspicuous follower of the pack, was married to Frederick, Prince of Hesse, consequently Her Royal Highness was never seen again with the Royal Buckhounds. As to the other members of the Royal Family, they are not mentioned as having been out with the pack during this season. We can find no reports of the runs. It appears, by the official certi- ficate of the Master, that the sport was good : 72 stags and 33 hinds having been " killed " by the hounds during this year. 1741. — The King set out for Hanover in May, and did not return to England until October. During this interval the Duke of Cumberland assumed a prominent position in home affairs, exhibiting much energy in directing military matters at the principal camps. However, His Royal Highness found time to hunt pretty frequently with the Royal Buckhounds; and he also organised a pack of staghounds of his own. It was publicly announced, on July 8, that " their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Princesses began last Monday to hunt a stag in Windsor Forest, which sport is to be continued two days in every week during the hunting season." How far this arrange- ment was carried out we are unable to ascertain, the records of sport with these packs having been almost eclipsed by intelligence from the battlefield and camps. Indeed, we can only trace two circumstantial reports from the hunting field — viz., on Saturday, September 17, when their Royal Highnesses the Princesses hunted a stag which ran from Windsor Forest to Guildford, " from whence their Royal Highnesses came to 332 HISTOKY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. St. James's in a hir'd coach, their horses being all tir'd with the chase " ; and on Saturday, October 24, " H.R.H. the Duke took the diversion of hunting in Windsor Forest ; but the company was a little retarded in the sport by one of his Highness's horses accidentally dropping down dead on the road near Hounslow." It does not appear that the Prince of Wales was out with the Royal Buckhounds during this season. However, His Royal Highness hunted for some time in the New Forest, and devoted a considerable portion of his spare time to cricket and yachting. According to the official certificate of the Master of the Buckhounds, it appears that, from Christmas 1740 to Christmas 1741, 92 stags, 61 hinds, and 80 bucks had been killed and hunted " by His Majesty's and the Duke of Cumberland's hounds." * 1742.— War. Hunting intelligence nil. In April the King formed an army in Flanders. Walpole's Government was overthrown, when he retired from office with a peerage and untold plunder, while his three sons held sinecures and places for their several lives amounting to nearly 20,000Z. a year. The Prince of Wales and his father were reconciled. The Duke of Cumberland embarked for Flanders. Somerville — that glorious laureate of the chase — died at the beginning of the hunting with the Royal Buckhounds, whose praises he so often sang in undying verse. We can find no records of the runs during this season ; nevertheless, it must have been a very good one, as, according to the official certificate of the * We hear nothing of Ascot races in this year. The Staghunters' Plate of -to guineas for " real hunters, that have been in at the death of two brace of deer with the King's hounds since the 1st of July last, carrying 10 stone, bridle and saddle, etc.," was to have been run for on Hounslow Heath on Tuesday October 4, but " by reason of the bad weather and the badness of the course" it was subsequently decided to change the venue to Mosley Hurst, in Surrey, when the race came off, and was won by the Duke of New- castle's grey mare Surrey, she having beaten the Duke of Cumberland's horse Whitefoot, the Hon. Peter Wentworth's black gelding Come-tickle-me-lightly, and four others, belonging to Messrs. Jenison, Hammond, Jennings, and Eaby. Notwithstanding the '• badness of the course " at Hounslow, races were held there for some years after. This was contrary to the recent Act of Parliament ; but it seems that Hounslow having been under martial law at this time, a civil writ could not run there. 1742-1744 : becoeds of the kuns. 333 Master of the Buckhounds, the quarry provided for this pack and that of the Duke of Cumberland, from Christmas 1741 to Christmas 1742, was 90 stags, 64 hinds, and 27 bucks. 1743. — War. George II. entered into an alliance with Frederick II. of Prussia, of which the most prominent outcome was the battle of Dettingen, where the Duke of Cumberland received a severe wound. We were threatened by, and greatly alarmed at, the imminent prospect of an invasion by France; while the almost overt movements of the Jacobites at home placed the safety of the Kingdom in a very precarious position. These events left no room for hunting intelligence ; conse- quently we hardly hear anything of the proceedings of the Royal Buckhounds in the hunting field, except that the Princess Amelia was frequently out with the pack. It seems the Duke of Cumberland gave up, or put aside, his pack of staghounds, as we hear nothing of it in the official certificate of the Master of the Buckhounds during this and for some subsequent years. The number of " deer " killed by His Majesty's hounds in the year ended at Christmas 1743 was 54 stags and 30 hinds, from which we may infer the runs were good and the pace a cracker.* 1744. — On July 25 it was publicly announced that the Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Amelia " began to take the diversion of staghuntinsf in Windsor Forest." In the ensuing month the Duke went to Hanover ; consequently the Princess Amelia was the principal representative of the Royal Family to be seen out with the pack during the remainder of this season. The Duke did not return until October 18, the King having arrived from Hanover on September 1. In the meantime, the ordinary followers of the Royal Buckhounds appeared twice a week in force. The Duke of Grafton arrived at Sunning Hill early in August " for staghunting and to drink the waters of that place." The official certificate of the Master * On October 13 the Duke of Bedford's hounds are reported to have roused a deer at Wooton Woods, near Bedford, which they ran for six hours without a check. " By the least computation they ran upwards of 60 miles, which by sportsmen is thought to be the greatest chase ever run hy hounds." 334 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. of the Buckhounds shows that between Christmas 1743 and Christmas 1744 the pack had killed and hunted 63 stags, 17 hinds, and 20 bucks, and that the keepers of the several walks and parks from which the quarry was derived received in the usual fees 154/. This was Mr. Ralph Jenison's last year of office in the first period of his Mastership of the Royal Buckhounds. As we shall presently see, Mr. Jenison assumed the official couples for the second and last period of his Master- ship two years after this time. Ascot races were resumed on September 17 and 18. We have not been able to ascertain the entries or the results. Beyond the subjoined programme of the two 50Z. plates and the announcement of the assembly and concert to be held in the Town Hall, Windsor, no further intelligence has apparently been preserved : — " Ascot Heath Races, Berks. " To be run for on Ascot Heath, in Windsor Forest, on Monday the 17th of September, Fifty Pounds, by any Horse, Mare or Gelding, that is at this Time in the Possession of the Huntsman, or one of the Yeomen Prickers of his Majesty's Buck Hounds, or in the Possession of the Keepers of the said Forest, or Windsor Great Park in the said County ; to carry twelve Stone, Bridle and Saddle included, as never started for Match or Plate, and has been hunted in the said Forest between Lady-Day last and Michaelmas -Day. All Disputes for this Plate, relating to Entering or Running, to be determin'd by Ralph Jennison, Esq. ; or whom he shall appoint. " And on Tuesday, the 18th Instant, Fifty Pounds by Hunters, that never won either Match, Plate or Stakes, and that never started for any Thing except a Hunter's Plate, to carry twelve Stone, Bridle and Saddle included. No less than three deem'd Hunters to start, and if only one comes, to have Twenty Guineas, and the Plate not run for ; and if two only, to have Ten Guineas each. No Person to enter two Horses. " All horses that run for the first Plate must be enter'd on Monday next, the lOth of this Month, between the Hours of One and Six in the Afternoon, at Sunninghill Wells in Whidsor Forest, by the Clerk of the Course, paying Half-a-Crown to him. Entrance Fee. ASCOT RACES. 335 " And for the second Plate to enter at the same Time and Place, paying if a Subscriber One Guinea Entrance, if a Non-Subscriber Three Guineas, or at the Post Two Guineas if a Subscriber ; if a Non- Subscriber Five Guineas, to go to the second best tho' distanc'd. " All Horses to be kept from the Time of Entering to the Time of Running, at some Publick House within three Miles of the said Course ; and all Horses, &c., to be plated by some Smith that lives within that Distance. " All Disputes for this Plate, relating either to Entering or Run- ning, to be determin'd by the Majority of Subscribers their present. " There will be Ordinaries each Day, at Sunninghill Wells at One o'clock." •' Windsor, Sept. 17, 1744. " rr^HESE are to certify the Gentlemen and Ladies, that there -L will be an Assembly at the Town-Hall there Tomorrow, the 18th instant, being the Day of the Horse- Race on Ascot-Heath, near Windsor." "AT the Town-Hall, Windsor, this Day the ITth Instant, will be -^--^ perform'd SOLOMON. A Serenata, taken from the Canticles. Set to Musick by Mr. Boyce. Tickets to be had at the Maidenhead, the Ball and Castle, and the White Hart."* * This aristocratic gatliering contrasts favourably with the entertainments of the upper ten in Belgravia on the same day, to wit : " At May-Fair Dnckuig Pond. This Day, precisely at Two o'Clock, three Dogs will hunt Six Ducks, for Three Guineas. And on Monday the 1st of October next, will be Goose Hunting ; and the famous Flying Dean will hunt six Ducks, for Two Guineas, against the noted Nero, at the above Place, precisely at Two o'Clock." 336 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. CHAPTER XVI. GEORGE II. {concluded)— 11^^-11 m. The Earl of Tankerville, Thirty-ninth Master: December 31, 1744, to June 25, 1746. — Ealph Jenison, Esq. (ii), Fortieth Master : July 2, 1746, to February 5, 1757. — Viscount Bateman, Forty-first Master : July 1, 1757, to October 25, 1760.— ii. March 17, 1761, to July 5, 1782(?).— Records of the Runs. — Annual Expenses of the Pack during the Reign of George II, — ^The Huntsmen and the Hunt-Servants. — Ascot Race". On the last day of the year 1744 the Earl of Halifax was appointed successor to Ralph Jenison, Esq., and his lordship consequently became the Thirty-ninth INIaster of the Royal Buckhounds on the day above mentioned. He retained the official insignia of the hunt during the years 1745 and 174G down to the opening of that season, when he retired from this office. During Lord Halifax's mastership we find very few allusions to the proceedings of the R.oyal Buckhounds in the hunting field. His first season must necessarily be drawn blank, so far as concerns any records of sport with the pack. 'Twas '45, and " '45 " explains the matter. Prince Charles Edward Stuart was making a gallant attempt to recover the kingdom which he, and many others, deemed to be his alone by inheritance and "right divine." The proceedings of the " Younir Pretender " and his Jacobite adherents need no further reference here. In May George II. left for Hanover, and did not return to England for some months. The Duke of Cumberland was also absent, and was otherwise too much engaged to take any interest in hunting. Nevertheless, the pack had been out at least twice a week during the season, and apparently gave good runs. It does not appear, however. 1746 : EECORDS OF THE RUNS. 337 that any members of the Royal Family, except the Princess Amelia, participated in the sport. The official certiticate of the Master of the Buckhounds indicates that 44 stags and 16 hinds had been killed and hunted by the pack during this year. 1746. — The Civil War practically came to an end with the Battle of Culloden in the spring of this year. Then followed the preparations for decorating Temple Bar with human heads. Midsummer and the opening of the hunting season arrived in due course, when it was found there was a deficiency in the Civil List amounting to 456,733^. 16.s. S^d. This having been made good by Parliament, the Lords of the Treasury wrote to the Lord Chamberlain conveying His Majesty's commands that he should exercise economy and prudence, and to be careful in his expenses, and to use his utmost endeavour to lessen the incidental cost of the Household, and to prevent any addition of the expenses thereto. It does not appear, however, that the cost of maintaining the Royal Buckhounds had increased, or that there were any considerable arrears due or owing on account of the pack. The Duke of Cumberland proceeded to Windsor in July, the King went there on a flying visit soon after, " and view'd the Lodge in the Park there and that on the Forest, both of which are fitted up for the Duke." His Royal Highness sojourned in the vicinity during the month of August, and, apparently, hunted occasionally with the Royal Buckhounds. The Princesses were gone to Bath. Mr. Ralph Jenison became the Master of the Royal Buckhounds, for the second time, at the opening of this season ; and according to his certiticate 46 stags and 22 hinds had been killed and hunted by the pack from Christmas 1745 to Christmas 1746. 1747. — War. The King and the Duke of Cumberland absent in Hanover, etc. No huntings intellisence.* Never- * We can only trace the report of one run with the pack this season, when it appears it was taken to Epping Forest, on Wednesday, August 24, which " being the day fix't for the Ladies' Hunt, a stag was rous'd, near the Green Man, which ran several hours, and afforded excellent Diversion. There were present a great number of Ladies finely mounted, many of whom kept in view the whole chase and came in at the death. Several in the chase were thrown from their horses, rode over and receiv'd much hurt." 338 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. theless, this season with the Royal Buckhounds must have been a fairly good one, as 45 stags and 28 hinds had been killed and hunted by the pack. 1748. — Peace and plenty — of racing at Ascot. "What were the fruits which Britain reaped from this long and dreadful war ? A dreadful expense of blood and treasure, disgrace on disgrace, and the national debt accumulated to eighty millions sterling." — Hume. The King did not return to England until November 24. The Duke of Cumberland arrived at his hunting quarters at Windsor on August 20. His Royal Highness, who had been Ranger of the Great and Little Parks since July 174G, was now appointed Lieutenant of Windsor Forest during the life of the King and the Princess Amelia or the longest liver of them. Notwithstanding the attraction presented by the local duties belonging to the Lieutenancy of the Forest, the Duke soon left the locality and returned to Hanover. Meanwhile the Princess Amelia occasionally hunted with the Buckhounds ; and although we are unable to unearth any records of the runs, it seems the sport was good, the fields large, and the pace a cracker.* The official certificate of the Master shows that 52 stags and 81 hinds were killed and hunted by the pack from Christmas 1747 to Christmas 1748. At Ascot the races were resumed and run for on August 15, 16, and 17, as appeal's by the subjoined programme of this meeting : — * Good runs seem to have prevailed in foxhunting and staghunting during this season. " On Monday (December 5) Lord Chedworth's and Mr. Button's confederate pack of Foxhounds had the most remarkable fox-chase that ever was seen in those parts (Camden, Gloucestershire). They ran a fox five hours without a check over the finest country in England ; no chase could have afforded more entertainment, no hounds could pursue their game with more steadiness and resolution, no fox could more boldly run over a fine country, and no sportsmen could pursue with more spirit and judgment in riding ; for it was remarkable that there was not a hunter at the unkenneling that was not at the death ; and not five horses out of thirty able to go a mile further : many horses were obliged to be blooded to save their lives." On November 25 the Duke of Marlborough's staghounds had a run in Oxfordshire of " at least 50 miles." The Duke and many of his friends were in at the death. Most of the field, "though well mounted, tired their horses before the chase was ended." ASCOT EACES. 339 " To be run for on Ascot-Heath, in Windsor Forest, on Monday, the 15th of August next, a Purse of 50^., by actual Hunters of the past Season, that never started for Match or Prize, nor never had a Sweat before Lady Day last. Those of full age ten Stone and a half ; all vinder that Age ten Stone ; a Certificate of which to be produced at the Time of Entrance. " On Tuesday the 16th will be run for, on the same Course, a Purse of 50^., by any Horse, Mare or G-elding, carrying ten Stone ; the best of three Heats ; but whatever Horse, Mare or Gelding that wins two Heats shall have the Plate ; the winning Horse to be sold, if demanded by any one of the Subscribers, for 80/,, but if demanded by more than one to be determined by a Raffle. " On Wednesday the 17th a Purse of 50/., by Horses, &c., which have been only Hunters, and Stag- Hunted in Windsor Forest this Year, and hunted by the Owners ; and that never were in Training with Intention to run for any Match or Prize by an Hunter's Plate, Weight twelve Stone. " Each Horse etc., that runs for the Hunter's Plate must be the Property of a Subscriber, and have been in his Possession from Lady Day last to the Day of Running. " To enter at Sunning-hill Wells on the Monday se'nnight before the Race Week ; if a Subscriber of two Guineas to pay one Guinea Entrance ; if a Subscriber of only one Guinea to pay two Guineas Entrance. No less than three to start for each Plate. " The winning Horse for each of the above Prizes to pay five Guineas towards mending the Course and Rails. "To run according to Articles, which will be produced at entering. "If any Difference should arise to be Determin'd by a Majority of the Subscribers then present. " N.B. — There will be Assemblies at the Town Hall in Windsor, during the Races, as usual." We can find no account or reference to the results of these races, except that one of the Plates or Purses of 50^. was won by Mr. Bowie's horse, of Windsor, which likewise won a match of 100 guineas run for at Ascot on Thursday, August 25, from a horse belonging to a Mr. Burton. 1749. — We cannot find any records of the runs with the Royal Buckhounds during this year. The Duke of Cumberland 340 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. was at his hunting lodge in A\^indsor Forest for a short sojourn ; he was absorbed in military affairs. The King and the Prin- cesses stayed at Kensington Palace. The Prince of Wales gave his spare time to hunting in the New Forest and yachting about the Nore. The ordinary followers of the Royal Buck- hounds apparently had a good season, there having (according to the official certificate of the jMaster) been killed and hunted with the pack 64 stags and 21 hinds. Ascot Races were announced to come off on Tuesday, Wed- nesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 1st, 2nd, .3rd, and 4th of August. The race for the first day was for a Purse of 50^., by hunters that had never started for match or plate, and used as regular hunters, which had been in at the death of a leash of stags in Windsor Forest " this season," carrying 12 stone; the second day a Plate of 50^., free to any horses that had never won above 50^. at any one time (bar in matches), those of full age to carry 11 stone, six-year-olds 10 stone, five-year-olds and under that age, 9 stone ; the third day 501. was to be run for by the hunters belonging to the huntsmen, yeomen prickers, and keepers, carrying 12 stone ; and on the last day the prize was 50/'. for any horse, mare, or gelding carrying 10 stone. Each of these races was three heats of four miles a heat. The entrance money was as in the year 1744, but the winners were now called upon to pay five guineas " towards mending the course." Three to run, or do race. The competitors to be shown at Sunning-hill Wells on July 24, and to run according to the articles submitted on the day of entry. We can find no return of the results of this meeting except as to the Hunter's Plate, which was won by JNIr. Withers' chestnut horse Windsor by the first two heats, defeating Mr. Buckley's bay gelding Speaker, and Mr. Fisher's bay horse Ramper. Possibly the other items in the programme did not fill. 1750. — The King was abroad ; the Duke of Cumberland was principally occupied with military affairs, consequently we hear hardly anything of the Royal Buckhounds in the hunting 1750 : llECORDS OF THE RUNS. 341 field during this year. When the hunting season opened Windsor was en fete on the occasion of the installation of Prince George, K.G. ("who shall be King hereafter"). In September, 'two bucks and a stag having been killed by poachers within the parish of Bray " in the Forest of Wind- sor," the churchwardens and overseers of the poor, " desirous to declare their abhorance of such practices," offered a reward of 10^. for the discovery and conviction of any one concerned in the same. Dennis Gainer, saddler, in Long Lane, near West Smithfield, London, " and no where else," announced to all gentlemen and sportsmen that he had lately invented a new method of making velvet hunting and jockey caps, and also a neat light sort for ladies, without any seam or button, in one entire piece of velvet, which would not rip or wear bare, and the skull was so stout as to defend the head from any blow or fall. As appears by the official certificate of the Master only 40 stags and 4 hinds had been killed and hunted . by the pack this year. 1751. — Horace Walpole, writing under date of June 25, 1751, in his "Memoirs of the E,eign of George II.," says: " The Duke [of Cumberland] had a fall as he was hunting at Windsor, and was taken up speechless, and refusing to be blooded, grew dangerously ill with a pain in his side, and was given over by his physicians, but recovered. The King was inexpressibly alarmed, wept over him, and told everybody that was in his confidence that the nation would be undone, left to nothing but a woman and children ! He said to Mr. Fox of the Duke, ' He has a head to guide, to rule, and to direct.' "... If Walpole is correct in his date the hunting season with the Royal Buckhounds must have opened rather early in this year. The accident to the Duke must not have been so serious as it was represented to have been, for His Royal Highness was out with the pack on July 18, on which occasion he was accompanied " by several persons of distinc- tion." In the ensuing week there was consternation in London on receipt of the news that the Duke had died at Windsor. It was quite true the Duke was dead ; his defunct grace was 342 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. a favourite charger of that name, which his Eoyal Highness " rode in Scotland during the late unnatural Rebellion." A groom reporting the circumstance in Windsor, " the Publick, without enquiry catched the News, and with swifter currency than the Tide, it came to Town." On the 10th of this month the Princess Amelia was sworn into the office of Ranger of Richmond New Park by the Chairman and High Bailiff of the City and Liberty of Westminster, at Kensington Palace — an appointment which, directly and indirectly, led to great contention and lawsuits during the ensuing ten years. In August, Cranborn Lodge — which had been occupied by the late Duke of St. Albans — was given to the Duke of Cumberland for the natural term of his life. On the 8th His Royal High- ness took possession of this Lodge, when the occasion was celebrated with a cricket match between " the Duke of Cum- berland's XI. V. Sir John Elvill's XI., which the latter won by an innings." On Monday, July 12, the Duke and a large field were out with the Buckhounds, and this is the last allusion we have met with relating to the runs with the pack during this season. It is improbable that any of the Princesses hunted with the pack before September 8, on which day the Court went out of mourning for the late Prince of Wales. Poor Fred had been devotedly attached to the Royal Hunt down to the time when, by the specious policy of Walpole, he was forced to seek other hunting quarters. Like the Princess Anne, in the days of yore, he cast long lingering glances after the Royal Buckhounds, and it is alleged that he employed scouts, during the period of his banishment from Windsor, to inform him (when he was in residence at Cliefden and Kew) whenever the pack ran in those directions. A saddled hunter was con- tinually kept in readiness ; and whenever an opportunity of this sort presented, Fred unexpectedly fell in with the hunt, and enjoyed the sport to his heart's content. During his exile in Hanover he was trained on sausages and sower- crout (orthography not warranted sound in wind or limb) ; nevertheless there must have been a good current of true British blood in his veins. On his arrival in England he 1751 : KECORDS OF THE RUNS — ASCOT RACES. 343 adapted himself, like a true son of the soil, to all our national sports and pastimes, and soon became proficient in hunting, cricket, yachting, racing, angling, and falconry. Unfortunately, he was somewhat addicted to betting ; and, according to the custom of those days, he invariably had a heavy stake and a wager on every run made in a cricket match.* The primary cause of the fatal illness which somewhat unexpectedly carried off the Prince was attributed at the time to " a blow on his side with a ball about two years ago, playing at cricket, which diversion he was very fond of, and 'tis thought was the occa- sion of his death, having a bag [imposthume] near six inches long, down his side, full of putrescence." Upon the whole, this season with the Royal Buckhounds must have yielded better sport than some of the preceding ones, 73 stags and 14 hinds having been killed and hunted by the pack. The programme of the "Ascot Heath Races " for 1751 com- prised the following events : On Tuesday, July 2, a plate of 50^. value, open to any horse, mare, or gelding that had been used as a regular hunter, and had been at the death of a leash of stags in Windsor Forest, " and rid by his owner this last season," and that never started for anything except a hiTnter's plate ; to carry 12 stone, the best of three heats, and to be the property of a gentleman. On Wednesday, July 3, a plate of 50^. value, free for any horse, mare, or gelding ; weight, 10 stone ; three heats ; open to all horses, etc., that never won more than 50 guineas at one time, matches excepted. On Thursday, July 4, a plate of 50/., free to any horse, etc., belonging to any or either huntsmen, yeomen prickers, or keepers belonging to any or either of the packs of Windsor Forest; each horse, etc., to carry 12 stone, saddle and bridle * The notorious Bubb-Doddington incident, which every writer on the Hanoverian era, from Thackeray to McCarthy, has misconstrued, was a bet on a run in a game of cricket. In those days what are now termed "runs " were called " notches," the runs made by the batsmen having been cut or " nicked " on a piece of wood. Hence, a person in speaking of losing a bet on a run, said " So-and-so nicked me for so much." 344 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT KACES. included ; the best of three heats ; every horse, etc., to be the property of a huntsman, etc., and to be in his possession for six months at the time of entering, to be a known hunter, and never started for any plate but a hunter's plate, and that in Windsor Forest. On Friday, the 5th, a plate of 501. for any horse, etc., that never won 50^., matches excepted ; six-year- olds 10 stone, five-year- olds 9 stone ; three heats ; certificates to be produced at the time of entrance ; all horses to be entered at Summerhill Wells on Tuesday, June 26, between the hours of three and eight in the afternoon, and be subject to the Articles produced at the time of entrance. Every sub- scriber of 2 guineas to pay 1 guinea entrance ; subscribers of 1 guinea to pay 2 guineas ; a non-subscriber to pay 3 guineas entrance ; which entrance money to go to a futui^e Plate. Every horse entered to pay 5s. to the clerk of the course. No less than three horses to start for each of these Plates. If but one enters to be allowed 10 guineas; if two, I7i guineas; and the Plate not to be run for. No booths to be erected on the course, or carts, by any person unless a subscriber to the plates, and by the direction of the clerk of the course. " No Horse, Mare, or Gelding that was on the 7th Day of April last the Property of Mr. Prentice (who was then the Owner of Trimmer), or shall belong to him at the Time of these Paces, shall be admitted to start for any of these Plates." " The Hunter's Plate on Tuesday last was won by Mr. Walker's chestnut gelding Slender, beating with great ease William Walker, Esqr.'s, Windsor ; Col. Bosca wen's Northaller- ton ; Captain Phillips' Red Tail ; and Mr. Osborn's Grist. " The Aged Plate was not run for on Wednesday, to the great Disappointment of Multitudes, who went thither to see the Decision between Capt. Vernon's Grey Horse, Beau (late Lord Portmore's), and Mr. Marshall's Chestnut Horse, Diver, upon which great Sums were depending. " There were but three Horses to start for this Plate ; and Beau, since his Entrance, being match'd to run with some other Horse for a considerable Sum, Diver receiv'd Ten 1752: ASCOT EACES — EECOKDS OF THE KUNS. 345 Guineas; and is gone, as we are inform'd, to Hounslow ; where 'tis said, he will meet Mr. Roger's Grey Horse, Garland, late Sir Ralph Gore's. The Odds are Five and Six to Four on Diver against Garland, the first Time they meet." Tlie following Horses started for a Purse of Fifty Pounds, and came in as follows : — IstHt. 2ndHt. SrdHt. Mr. Benj. Rogers's grey horse, Pumpldn, late Loi'd Portmore's, got by Steady, five Years old 3 1 1 Mr. Swymmer's Bay Horse, Saturn, Babram's Brother, six Years old .... 1 3 2 Sir Charles Goreing's Chestnut Horse, Golden Locks, got by Golden Locks, five Years old 2 2 3 The Odds at starting were on Golden Locks. 1752. — The Duke of Cumberland occupied his hunting lodge in Windsor Forest during a considerable part of this year. A large body of troops were encamped there through the summer. The Royal Buckhounds met twice a week, as also did the Duke's Staghounds ; and although we can find but few circumstantial records of the runs, it seems the sport was good from the first to the last meet, which was held on Wednesday, December 6. The King did not visit Windsor this year. He did his hunting in Hanover.* According to the official certificate of the Master of the Royal Buckhounds it appears that 49 stags and 16 hinds were killed and hunted by the pack during this year. The horse races were held on Ascot Heath in the second week of August, when the programme comprised four events — viz., on Tuesday, the 11th, a plate of 501., "the Property of * "His Britannic Majesty was highly pleased with the grand Hunting Match of the Boar, at which he was present on the 21st (of October), in the Forest of Osterwald. The Noblemen and Gentlemen that accompanied him in that Diversion, din'd after 'twas over under five several Tents, which were pitch'd in the Field on Purpose, His Majesty return'd hither (Hanover) that Evening about Five." 1st Ht. 2nd nt 1 1 3 2 4 3 2 dr. 346 HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. Gentlemen Subscribers, for Hunters, for which six horses were entered, resulted thus : — Mr. Walker's bay gelding, Orphan Sir Charles Ledley's grey gelding, Richmond Col Bosca wen's bay gelding, Poker Lord Bury's black stone horse. Little Blaze . H.B.H. Duke of Cumberland's chestnut gelding, Button ........ 5 dis. Wednesday, the 12th, for Weight for Age Plate, Josiah Marshall's chestnut horse, Diver, and Mr. Bowie's bay horse, Johnny Armstrong, ran, which the former won. " These two Heats were exceeding good ; but an Accident happened to Mr. Bowie's Horse at the End of the second Heat, after coming in, by a Man's being in the Way ; whereby the Horse was flung down, and it is believed will die. The rider saved himself." On Thursday, the 4th, for the Give and Take Plate, Captain Shaftoe's chestnut horse. Silver Legs, and Mr. Sparrow's grey gelding were entered ; and the 50/. Plate for the keepers and yeomen prickers of Windsor Forest obtained an entry of three : Mr. Kennedy's brown gelding, Rat ; Mr. Ricard's bay mare, Cat ; and Mr. Ives' bay mare, Betsy-Feel-the-Tap. The results of the last two events are not recorded. No member of the Royal Family was present on this occasion. Lords Anson, Montfort, and Monson were mentioned as having attended the meeting on the second day. In connection with this meeting we obtain the following additional information in a letter from Mr. Rigby to the Duke of Bedford, dated (London) August 13, 1752: "And now to send you what little news I have been able to pick up yester- day ; for the day we landed, Ascott Heath races had engaged the few people that remained in town, and I could find no soul to dine or sup with. In short, I have seen but three intelligent beings. Lord Waldegrave, Fox, and Harris. The first . . . was at the above mentioned races on Tuesday, where the Duke of Cumberland's horse ran, and would have been distanced " [in the first heat] " if his master had not 1753 : ASCOT EACES. 347 been higher bred than himself : there was much company there, and the Duke invited Lord Waldegrave and his companion Lord Anson, to Cranbourne that night, but they did not go. Sandwich was not there." * . . . 1753. — The Duke of Cumberland was at Windsor Forest for most part of this year ; but it does not appear that the King or any other members of the Royal Family had been there. The Royal Buckhounds and the Duke's pack hunted as usual in the vicinity of the Forest, but we have found no reliable chronicle of the runs which ensued. The former pack met on one occasion, in March, in the New Park, Richmond. The Princess Amelia would not admit pedestrians, and only chaises, chariots, and persons on horseback were allowed to enter. The local inhabitants resented this restriction of their legal rights, and to vindicate their privileges instituted a suit which was tried at the Kingston Assizes on April 3, 1754, which ended in a verdict in favour of the claimants.! We believe the meet of the Royal Buckhounds, above mentioned, was the last which was held in Richmond Park with this pack. According to the official certificate of the Master of theRoyal Buckhounds 38 stags and 22 hinds were killed and hunted by the pack in this year- On May 2G, 1753, a match was run over Ascot Heath new course, the best of three two-mile heats for 50^. " and 50^. bye," and was won by Mr. Fisher's bay gelding in the first two heats from Mr. Coat's roan filly. The annual meeting was held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, August 14, 15, and 16. On the Tuesday the 50^. Plate, " free only to such horses, etc., as had been in the pos- * " Correspondence of John, 4th Duke of Bedford : selected from the originals at Woburn Abbej^" by Lord John Russell, vol. ii., pp. 110, 111. In another letter from Mr. Rigby to the Duke, dated October 5, following, he mentions having lately been at " a turtle feast " at Windsor, where he saw both of the Duke of Cumberland's lodges in the forest, his hounds, and his wild beasts. He adds that the Newmarket October race meeting had then made London " emptier than it had been over the whole summer." f Tim Bennet, " the honest Presbyterian cobler of Hampton Wick," who died in June 1756, "had a noble monument erected to his memory," for per- sisting and obtaining a right of way through Bushey Park, which had been closed to the public in the reign of William III. 348 HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. session of the owner from October before starting, and had been regularly hunted with the Duke's hounds,* carrying 12 stone," was won by Captain Vernon's bay gelding, Blaze, by winning the first two heats ffom Mr, Walker's bay gelding, Orphan, and Mr. Wimbourn's bay gelding. The same day the 50/. Plate, for the huntsmen, yeomen prickers of the Royal Buckhounds, and Keepers of Windsor Forest, was run for, and won by Mr. Ricket's bay mare. Flora, by taking the first two heats from Mr. Ives' chestnut gelding, Saucebox, Mr. Canada's [Kennedy] chestnut gelding. Pea Cagen, and Mr. Johnson's bay gelding. Viper. On the Wednesday the Plate of 50^. was run for by four-year-old horses that never won above 50 guineas at one time (matches excepted), carrying 9 stone, two mile heats, and was won by Mr. Burford's bay horse, Coomb, by landing the second and third heats from Lord Craven's grey horse, Anthony (which got the first heat), and Mr. Everett's bay horse. Creeper (which came in last in each heat). On the Thursday the Plate of 50^. was run for, open to any hoi'se, etc., that never won more than 50 guineas at one time (matches excepted), carrying weight for age — viz., five-year-olds, 9 stone ; six-year-olds, 10 stone ; and those of full age, 10 stone 9 lb. Three started for this race : Mr. Rogers' grey horse. Garland, and two others to qualify ; but upon a dispute arising the Plate was withheld. 1754. — In July the King hunted with the Royal Buck- hounds in the vicinity of Windsor Forest. The meets were well attended " by persons of distinction " during this season, and also by the usual followers of the pack. The Duke of Cumberland still represented royalty at the head of the hunt ; nevertheless. His Royal Highness contemplated to yield that * In the programme the conditions for this race stipulated that the horses had been " regularly hunted with H.R.H. the Duke's Hounds, or any real Pack of Staghounds, which must be certified by the Master of the Hounds he has hunted with, and has never won a plate or match but a Staghunter's plate." The horse that won two heats in any of those races not to be obliged to start for a third. Entries to be made at Sunninghill Wells, on August 6. The entrance remained unaltered, except for those entering at the post, which was raised from 3 to 5 guineas. 1754 : ASCOT EACES. 349 position to Prince George, the heir-apparent, and to seek for fresh hunting fields and pastures new in some other locality.* By the official certificate of the Master of the Royal Buck- hounds, we learn that 58 stags and 22 hinds were killed and hunted by the pack during this year. Ascot Races were held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, June 17 to 20. On Monday, June 17, a Plate of 50L for horses, etc., that had been in the possession of the owner since January 1 last past, and had been regularly hunted with " the King's Hounds, his Royal Highness the Duke's Hounds, or any real pack of Stag Hounds," and had never won plate or match, carrying 12 stone each, was won by 1st Ht. 2nd Ht. Mr. Jenison's grey horse, Why-not (late Mr. Hartley's, Bashful), got by Cartouch . 1 1 Mr. Wither's bay gelding, Stag Hunter . . 2 2 " The odds at starting were 2 to 1 on Why-not, and very high at starting the second heat, which Stag Hunter would have won, it being 2 to 1 on him in running, but he died a Rogue." On Tuesday, 18, a Subscription Purse of dOl. for four-year- old horses, etc., that were the property of a subscriber on March 25 last past, one four-mile heat, carrying 9 stone each, was won by the Duke of Cumberland's bay colt Shock, got by Shock, by beating Mr. Jenison's bay colt Regulus, got by Regulus. The odds at starting were 3 to 1 on Shock. On the same day, a Plate of oOl. for huntsmen, yeomen prickers and keepers of Windsor Forest, weight 12 stone, was won by 1st Ht. 2nd Ht. Mr. Ives' bay gelding, Warhawk ... 1 1 Mr. Packet's bay mare. Flora .... 2 2 Mr. Johnson's grey gelding, Viper ... 4 3 Mr. Oanadey's [Kennedy] chestnut gelding, Pickpocket ...... 3 dr. * In the first week of March it was publicly announced that the Duke of Cumberland was fitting out a hunting-box near Basingstoke, Hampshire, '' where kennels are provided for 160 couple of Foxhounds to hunt 3 Days in a Week during the Season ; and about 50 couple will always be taken into the Field. " 350 HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. The odds at starting were 6 to 4 on the field against Viper ; 4 to 1 on the field against Warhawk ; after the first heat, 6 to 4 on the field against Viper ; 4 to 1 on the field against Flora ; and even betting Warhawk won. On Wednesday, 19, for the Free Plate of 501., the Duke of Cumberland's grey horse Crab walked over. His Royal High- ness declined to accept the Plate, and gave it to be run for by hunters that were never sweated (i.e., untrained horses), which was won by— 1st Ht. 2nd Ht. Mr. Walker's chestnut horse, Chance . . 1 1 Mr. Ives' black gelding, Crop .... 2 2 Mr. Jenison's gi'ey gelding, Grantham . . 4 3 Hon. Levison Gower's bay gelding, Squirrel . 3 4 Mr. Benwell's bay gelding, Last-of-all . . dis. The third and last run on this day was a match for 50^., between Mr. Lam ego's bay Galloway mare, Whitenose, 13 hands high, carrying a feather, against Mr. Pond's brown gelding, Cripple, got by Swift, carrying 10 stone, the best of three four-mile heats, was won by Whitenose. The odds were 3 to 1 on Cripple. On Thursday, 20, a Plate of 50L — four-year-olds 8 stone 71b. ; five-year-olds 9 stone 71b. — was run for by the following five- year-old horses, and won by — IstHt. 2ndHt. SrdHt. Mr. Grisewood's grey horse, Teazer, got by Teazer ....... Mr. Burfoot's bay horse. Coomb, got by Janus . Duke of Cumberland's bay horse, Entrance, full brother to the Godolphin gelding Mr. Jenison's black horse, Tawney, got by Shock At starting Teazer was taken against the field ; 5 to 4 on the field against Entrance; 65 to 10 on the field against Coomb; after the first heat 5 to 4 on Teazer ; 6 to 4 against Entrance ; and 3 to 1 against Coomb ; after the second heat, 4 to 1 Teazer won. On Friday, August 30, 1754, a match was run on Ascot 2 1 1 1 2 3 4 3 2 3 dr. 1755 : ASCOT EACES. 351 Heath, between the Earl of Sandwich's chestnut gelding, Forester, by Forester, and Colonel Hodgson's bay gelding, Brisk, owners up, one four-mile heat, for 50 guineas, and was won by the former. 5 to 1 were laid on Brisk. 1755. — The King was in Hanover from April until September. The Duke of Cumberland was chiefly occupied in reviewing troops and conducting State affairs in his capacity of First Lord of the Regency Council, during the absence of the King. We are unable to trace any reliable records of the runs with the Ro^^al Buckliounds during this year ; but as the pack had killed and hunted 47 stags and 18 hinds, the regular followers of the hunt must have enjoyed good sport. The races on Ascot Heath were held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 26 to 29, of this year. On Monday, May 26, the Duke of Cumberland's grey colt beat the Earl of Gower's roan colt, weight 8 stone each, in one four-mile heat, over Ascot Course, for 200 guineas. " The roan colt run rusty." The same day a Purse of 501. was run for, free, only for the huntsmen, yeomen prickers, and keepers of Windsor Forest, by horses, etc., carrying 12 stone, resulted as follows: — 1st Ht. 2iid Ht. Mr. Ricket's bay mare, Flora .... 1 1 Mr. Ives' bay gelding, Warhawk ... 2 2 Mr. Chapman's bay mare .... 3 dis. On the 27th oOZ. was run for, give and take, by horses carrying weight for inches, that had not won 501. this year. They came in thus :— lstHt.2ndHt.3rdHt. Mr. Lesson's chestnut gelding, Ely, 14 hands and I inch, weight 9st. lib. 12oz. . .4 1 1 Mr. Marshall's grey gelding, Grey Stag (late Mr. Croft's Trinket), 14 hands and ^ inch, weight 9st. lib. 12oz 1 2 dr. Hon. William Howe's grey mare, Poor Jenny, 14 hands 1 inch, weight 9st. 71b. . . 2 dr. Mr. Humphrey's grey horse, 14 hands 2 inches, weight lOst 3 dr. 1st Ht. 2nd Ht. 3rd Ht. 4th Ht. 2 3 1 1 4 1 2 2 1 4 3 3 3 2 4 352 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. On the 28th 50^. was run for by six-year-olds and aged horses — the six-year-olds carrying 9 stone 71b., the full aged 10 stone 31b., and was won by Marquis of Rockingham's bay horse, Cato, aged Mr. Lamego's chestnut horse, Diver, aged Mr. Merdiths' brown horse. Shock, 6 years old Duke of Cumberland's grey horse. Crab, aged . " The second heat was hard run between Crab and Diver ; the third and fourth as fine sport as ever was seen, Cato beating Diver but half a length." On the 29th 50^. was run for, free for four-year-olds carrying 8 stone 7 lb., and five-year-olds carrying 9 stone 5 lb. This prize was won by Mr. Merdiths' bay colt. Monkey (four years old), by winning the first two heats from the Duke of Cumber- land's brown horse, Shock (2nd), Mr. Marshall's brown horse, King Alfred (3rd), and Mr. Bowles' bay mare, Lady Ann (4th), as placed in each heat. The last three were five-year-olds. The same day a Sweepstakes Match for 45 guineas, by four- year-olds, the propert}^ of subscribers, was run, and won by Lord Gower's bay filly, beating Lord Chedworth's brown colt, Bauble, the Duke of Cumberland's bay colt, Stamp Crab, and Captain Vernon's chestnut filly, in the order named. Then followed two matches. The first, of 2 miles, was won by Lord Walgrave's bay colt, from the Duke of Cumberland's grey colt; the second was won by Mr. Ives' bay gelding, Warhawk, carrying 10 stone, from Mr. Ricket's bay mare, Flora, carrying 10 stone 5 lb. 1756. — War with France. No hunting intelligence. The Duke of Cumberland was absorbed in military affairs ; conse- quently, the Boyal Buckhounds were left entirely to the Master's devices and the pleasure of the permanent followers of the pack, who were frequently augmented by the metro- politan and military division, whose name was legion. It seems that all the meets took place in the vicinity of Windsor 1756 : ASCOT KACES. 353 Forest, the keepers of the walks therein having provided 44 stags and 12 hinds to show sport with the pack in this year, for which they received, at the usual fees, the sum of 100^. The races on Ascot Heath came off on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, on June 14 to 17 of this year. On Monday, the 14th, Mr. Ralph Jenison's grey horse, Why-not (9 stone 6 lb.), beat Lord Rockingham's bay gelding, Auacreon (9 stone), in one four-mile heat, for 100 guineas. The same day 50^. was run for by horses, etc., carrying 12 stone, the property of the huntsmen, yeomen priekers, and keepers of Windsor Forest, and was won by Mr. Ives' bay gelding, Warhawke, beating Mr. Ricket's bay mare. Flora (2nd), and Mr. Shorter's brown gelding (3rd), in both heats. On Tuesday, the loth, 50^. was run for, free only for four and five-year-olds — four-year-olds, 8 stone 7 lb. ; five-year-olds, 9 stone 5 lb.— in two-mile heats, and was won by — Mr. Roger's chest, h. Newcastle Jack, 5 years old Lord Gower's bay h. Coxcomb, 5 years old Lord Portmore's chest, h. Steady, 4 years old Lord March's grey h. Trial, 4 years old On Wednesday, 16th, a sweepstakes match, by horses the property of subscribers on March 25 last, weight 8 stone 7 lb., the winner to receive 40Z., the remainder to be disposed of as the subscribers thought proper, one four-mile heat was run, and won by Lord Orford's chestnut horse, Lucifer, beating Lord Portmore's grey horse, Centurion (2nd), Marquis of Granby's black mare (3rd), and the Duke of Cumberland's grey gelding, Caristina (4th). The same day 50^. was run for, six year olds carrying 9 stone 71b., and full aged 10 stone 3 lb. This prize was won by — Mr. Blake's chestnut horse Slider, 6 years old Mr. Swymmei-'s bay horse Tantivy, aged Mr. Pytt's bay horse Liberty, aged Duke of Cumberland's chestnut horse Ranger, 6 years old ...... Lord Eghngten's bay horse Lightfoot . 1st Ht. 2ncl Ht. 1 1 2 2 4 3 3 dr. 1st Ht. 2nd Ht. 3rcl I I 4 1 1 . 1 2 3 . 3 3 2 2 4 4 . 5 dr. 23 354 HISTOEY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. On Thursday, 17th, 50^. was run for by hunters, weight 12 stone, four-mile heats, and was won by — IstHt. 2ndHt. 3rd Ht, Mr. Boothby's bay horse Bobadil ..31 1 Mr, Churcbill's bay gelding Sportsman .1 2 dr. Mr Hayes' black gelding Belzebub . . 2 dr. The same day the Duke of Cumberland's grey horse, Crab, beat Lord Gower's bay horse, Little David, weight 8 stone 7 lb., in one four-mile heat, for 100 guineas. 1757. — War. No hunting intelligence. Nevertheless, this season with the Royal Buckhounds opened at Midsummer 1756, and closed at Easter 1757. It seems the Duke of Cumberland intended to join the hunt in February, with the object of having a few days in the hunting field before going into the field of battle. But, on his arrival at his villa vena- tica, "the arch of the cellar under His Royal Highness' bed chamber fell in, which happily was attended with no other accident, notwithstanding that he was in bed ; since which H.R.H. removed to Cranborne Lodge, at a little distance. Windsor Lodge is so out of repair, that it is necessary to be rebuilt, and a plan is prepared for that purpose." The Duke soon after returned to London, and left there on April 9 to take command of the expedition against the French. The Duke's forces were defeated at the battle of Hastenbeck. George II. immediately recalled him to England, and on his arrival treated him with the utmost coolness. The Duke re- sented this treatment, resigned all his military employments, almost abandoned hunting, and his only relaxation was on the turf Henceforward he lived in comparative obscurity. He died 1765. This was Mr. Ralph Jenison's last season as Master of the Royal Buckhounds, he having resigned office on February 5, 1757. He was succeeded by Lord Batemau, who donned the official insignia of the hunt on the ensuing June 1. Ascot Races took place on June 27, 28, 29, and 80. Five races were run for during the four da3^s over which this 1758 : ASCOT EACES. 355 meeting extended. On the 27th, a Plate of 50^., for four-year- olds, 8 stone 7 lb., and five-year-olds, 9 stone 5 lb., in two-mile heats, was won by Mr. George's bay horse Juniper, beating in the second and third heats Mr. Humphrey's brown horse Snake, and Lord Portraan's chestnut horse Steady. On the 28th, a Plate of 501., for horses, etc., of the huntsmen, yeomen prickers, and keepers of Windsor Forest, was won by Mr. Ives' chestnut gelding Forester, in the first and second heats, by beating Mr. Ricket's bay mare Flora, and Mr. Kenned}' 's bay horse Sportsman. On the 29th, a Plate of 50^., for six-year-olds, 9 stone 7 lb., and full aged, 10 stone 3 lb., was won by Mr. Vernon's grey horse Myrtle, six years old, beating in the first and second heats Mr. Shelly's grey horse Success, Mr. Bennet's bay horse Trifle, and Lord Craven's grey horse Anthony. And on the 30th, a Plate of 50/., Give-and-Take, 14 hands^ 9 stone 7 lb., allowing 7 lb. for every year under seven, was won in the first two heats by Mr. Button's bay horse Tim, five years old, 14 hands, carrying 8 stone 7 lb., beating Mr. Adams' chestnut horse Crispin, Mr. Chapman's bay horse Sylvia, and Mr. Cox's chestnut horse Trip. A sweepstakes match for four-year-olds, weight 8 stone 7 lb., one four-mile heat, was won by Mr. Jenison's bay colt, beating Lord Portman's black colt Pug, and Lord Granby's grey colt. 1758.— During this year we were implicated in war through all the four quarters of the globe ; consequently one may seek in vain for any hunting intelligence worth recapitulation. Except the Prince of Wales, who attended the meets frequently and was in the runs occasionally, no other member of the Royal Family hunted during the season with the pack, which, it would appear, by the following ofiicial statement, showed faiily good sport to the ordinary followers of the hunt : " Robert Nunn, for the Keepers of Windsor Forest, for their fees on 59 stags, at 21. each, and 20 hinds at 1/. each, which were hunted and killed by His Majesty's staghounds in Windsor Forest from the month of January, 1757, to Midsummer, 1758. by 356 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RAGES. vertue of a warrant, &c., and an account thereof certified by Lord Viscount Bateman, Master of His Majesty's hounds, and the receipt appears, 146 1?." Ascot Eaces were held on May 29, 30, and 31, and June 1. During the four days only six races were run for at this meeting. On the 29th, a Plate of 50^. was run for by five- year-olds, carrying 9 stone 5 lb. each, in two-mile heats, and was won, in the second and third heats, by Mr. Button's bay horse Quid Nunc, beating Lord Craven's bay horse Aquillo, and Mr. Stewart's chestnut mare. On the 30th, a sweepstakes was run by four-year-olds, carry- ing 8 stone 7 lb. each, in one four-mile heat, and was won by Lord Orford's grey filly, beating Lord Gower's bay colt Moses, and Lord Portman's bay colt, the Duke of Cumberland's black colt, and Lord Chedworth's Spot. The oOl. Plate for the hunt-servants and keepers of Windsor Forest for horses carrying 10 stone each, was won by Mr, Ives' chestnut gelding Forester, beating in the first and second heats Mr. Nunn's bay horse Babram, Mr. Shorter's brown gelding Bullock, and Mr. Ricket's bay horse Dumpling. On the 31st, a Plate of 501. was run for by six-year-olds, 9 stone 7 lb., and full aged, 10 stone 3 lb., was won in the second and third heats by Mr. Jones' roan horse Adolphus, beating the Duke of Cumberland's bay horse Blacklegs, Mr. Vernon's chestnut horse Forester, Mr. Brooks' chestnut horse Rainbow, and Mr. Larkin's black gelding Sloe. On June 1, a 501. Give-and-Take Plate was run for by five horses, and was won in the third and fourth heats by Mr. Wynn's bay horse Compton, carrying 9 stone 4 lb. 6 oz. And then the meeting terminated, when the Duke of Cum- berland's black colt, Jet, beat Lord Gower's bay colt, Coxcomb, in two matches, the first of two miles, the second of half a mile, weight 8 stone 7 lb. each, for 100^. each match. 1759. — War abroad — at home an expected invasion by the French- -put hunting intelligence altogether out of the question. 1759 : ASCOT KACES. 357 Nevertheless, we ascertain by the official certificate of the Master of the Buckhounds that 50 stags and 38 hinds had been hunted and killed by the pack " in one year ended the 24tb of June, 1759." Ascot Races were announced to take place on June 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, but on Friday, the loth, the only race on the card for that day — viz., a Plate of 501. for six-year-olds and aged horses — was not run for, " for want of horses to enter for the same." However, on Tuesday, June 16, a Plate of 50^. was run for by five-year-olds, carrying 9 stone 5 lb., in two-mile heats, and was won, in the first and third heats, by Sir Hugh Smithson's* bay horse Persius, beating Mr. Gore's bay horse Snap, Mr. Vernon's chestnut horse Stow Hill, Mr. Pytt's mare Sportly, Mr. Barrot's chestnut horse Scrub, Lord Albemarle's black gelding Jet, and Mr. Snell's dun mare Atalanta. On the 13th, a Plate of 501. was run for, free only for horses of huntsmen, yeomen prickers, and keepers of Windsor Forest, carrying 12 stone each, which was won, in the second and third heats, by Mr. Shorter's grey horse Babram, beating Mr. Ives' chestnut gelding Blameless, and Mr. Nunn's bay horse Babram. The next and last race on this day was for " the great sweepstakes," by four-year-old horses, carrying 8 stone 7 lb., in 1 four-mile heat. This race was won by H.R.H. the Duke of Cumberland's brown colt Dapper, beating Lord Portman's grey colt Grey Jack, Mr. Shaftoe's chestnut colt Hooke Nose, the Duke of Ancaster's grey colt, Mr. Blake's colt. Lord Rockingham's colt, and Lord Gower's chestnut colt, which " fell sick in running and pull'd up," the competitors passing the winning post in the order named. On the 14th, a Plate of 501. was run for by five and six-year- old mares, carrying, according to their age, 8 stone 7 lb. and 9 stone 3 lb. respectively, which was won, in the second and third heats, by Mr. Rogers' Fair Rechael, beating Mr. Harvey's, * He married, in 1740, Elizabeth, only child of Algernon Seymour, Earl of Northumberland, and was created Earl Percy and Duke of Northumberland October 22, 1766. He dieil in 1784. From the time of his marriage to the date of his elevation to the peerage he was commonly styled Lord Northumberland. 358 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. the Duke of Kingston's, Mr. Pitt's, Sir Richard Grosvenor's and the Duke of Cumberland's mares, which ran in this race. A four-mile match between Mr. Grant's Spotted Roan mare, 10 stone 8 lb., and Mr. Early's chestnut gelding, 10 stone 13 lb., was won by the former. As previously mentioned, the 501. Plate for six-year-olds and aged horses did not fill. On the 16th, a Give-and-Take Whim Plate of 50?. was won by Mr. Adam's chestnut horse Crispin, 9 stone 7 lb., beatiug Sir J. Lowther's chestnut horse Whitelegs. And thus the meeting ended. 1760. — Saw the end of the reign of George II., His Majesty having expired on October 25 in that year. During the thirty- four years of his reign, the regular followers of the Royal Buckhounds thoroughly enjoyed and highly appreciated the exhilarating sport provided by the pack. As in the preceding year we have not found any records of the runs that had taken place in this season, nevertheless, it appears by the certificate of Master of the Buckhounds, that down to June 24, 44 stags and 39 hinds had been killed and hunted in the vicinity of Windsor Forest by the pack. The Ascot Race Meeting was celebrated on the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 10 to 14, in 1760. On Tuesday, the 10th, a Plate of 501. for four and five-year- olds was run for, in two-mile heats; four-year-olds 8st. 71b., five-year-olds 9st. 51b., resulted thus : — 1st Ht. 2nd Ht. Lord Gower's bay filly, 4 years old ... 1 1 Mr. ClinrchiU's chestnut horse, 5 years old . 2 2 Mr. Aldridge's bay horse Americus, 5 years old 6 3 Duke of Grafton's grey gelding Cocker, 5 years old 5 4 Duke of Cumberland's bay horse Pam, 5 years old .4 5 Lord Waldegrave's bay gelding Skim, 5 years old 3 dr. Mr. Cooke's bay horse Bolton Boy, 5 years old . 7 dr. 1760: ASCOT RACES. 359 On Wednesday, the 11th, a 50^. Plate was run for by horses belonging to the yeomen prickers and keepers of Windsor Forest, carrying 12 stone each, the best of three heats, which was won by Mr. Shorter's grey horse Babran,* by beating Mr. Ives' grey horse Stag Hunter in the first two heats, and Mr. Ricket's bay gelding Dumpling, distanced. During the interval between the first and second heats for this race, the " Great Subscription " or " Sweepstakes " for four-year- olds, carrying 8st. 71b., one four-mile heat, was run for, and won by Lord Portman's grey colt Tiney, from the Duke of Ancaster's grey colt (lamed) (2nd), Mr. Shaftoe's chestnut colt (3rd), Lord Northumberland's grey colt (4th), Lord Waldegrave's grey colt (oth). Lord Bolingbroke's bay colt (Cth), Mr. Churchill's bay colt (7th), and the Duke of Cumberland's' grey colt (8th). On Thursday, the 12th, a 50^. Plate for mares which never won a Royal Plate ; five-year-olds Sst. 71b., and aged lOst. 31b., was won by — IstHt. 2ndHt.3rdHt. H.R.H. the Duke of Cumberland's bay mare Madam .1 3 1 Mr. Fortescue's bay mare Lady Cai-olina ..31 3 Lord Chedworth's bay mare .... 2 2 2 *' The odds at starting were 5 to 1 against the Duke, and 5 to 4 on Lady Carolina, who took the rust, and left the knowing ones on the wrong side of the post. J. Marshall did not ride for the Duke on account of a sore knee." We seldom hear of the jockeys in those days ; Marshall's name is occasionally mentioned. On Friday, the 13th, a Plate of oOl. was run for, the best of three heats, six-year-olds carrying 9st. 71b., and aged lOst. 31b., and was won by — 1st Ht. 2nd Ht. 3i'd Ht. 4th Ht. Mr. Elliott's bay horse Trifle, aged .321 1 Mr. Crosoer's chestnvit horse Elephant, aged 2 1 2 2 Mr. Adam's chestnut horse Stanby, 6 years old ..... 1 3 dis. * This horse is frequently returned by the name of Walmouth Tom, 1 4 3 5 2 2 3 3 dr. 2 dis. 360 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. On Saturday, the 14th, the 50^. Give-and-Take Plate, 14 hands, weight 9st. 71b., allowing 71bs. for every year under 7? resulted as follows : — IstHt. 2ndHt. 3rdnt. Mr. White's brown horse Gamester, aged .41 1 Hon. Mr. Howe's bay horse Spotless, 5 years old Sh- E. Grosvenor's bay horse Dragon, aged Mr. Watt's Chestnut horse Crispin, aged . Mr. Fisher's bay mare .... It appears the Duke of Cumberland, the Duke and Duchess of Ancaster, and a large assemblage of the nobility and gentry attended this meeting. Now we must hark back here and say "a few words " about the four Masters of the Royal Buckhounds, who flourished and filled this office successively, after Colonel Negus, during the reign of George II. Charles Bennet, second Earl of Tankerville, was sworn into the office of Master of the Boyal Buckhounds on June 21, 1733. His stipend was 2,341^. per annum, out of which he had to defray all the ordinary expenses of the pack. He bore the official insignia of the pack for only a brief term, his Lordship having resigned it in June 1736. During those three years the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, invariably acted as Field Master, and, of course, when he was in the saddle the actual master was more or less left in the shade. Charles, second Earl of Tankerville, thirty- seventh Master of the Royal Buckhounds, from June 21, 1733, to June 1736, the eldest son of Charles, first Earl of Tankerville, by his wife, Lady Mary Grey, only daughter of Ford, Viscount Grey of Glendale, succeeded to the family honours and estates on the death of his father. May 21, 1722. He was born in 1696, educated at Eton, was a colonel in the army, a Lord of the Bedchamber to Frederick, Prince of Wales, from 1729 to 1733, and was appointed to a similar office in the Household of George II. in 1737. He was made Lord-Lieutenant of the —» RALPH JENNISOHESQ.M.P. Master of tine Royal Buclchounds , to H.M. King George II. June 18, 1737-Decem]Der30,1744. (ii) July 2 ,1746 -July 4, PS 6. Fromthe ori ginal picture by Sir Josliua Reynolds in the posses si on of Col. AlexanderAdair,Heatlierton Par\,WellinQton ,Sorner5ft- . RALPH JENISON, ESQ., THIRTY-EIGHTH MASTER. 361 county Northumberland, February 11, 1740, and created LL.D. of Cambridge University, July 3, 1749. He was one of the original members of the Jockey Club, and was present at the great meeting of that Turf Senate, which was held at Hackwood on August 1, 1729. His Lordship had some good horses on the turf: Sophonista, Bay Wilkinson, and Tippet, winners of King's Plates, while his galloway, Harlequin, was famous for his inches and triumphs on many courses. His Lordship was taken suddenly ill on Tuesday, March 13, 1753, in a post chaise on the road between Aldborough Hatch, Essex, and London; and, notwithstanding all the assistance that could be rendered, he died on the following night, and was interred at Hounslow "among his ancestors in a private and decent manner." In 1737 Lord Tankerville was succeeded by Ralph Jenison, Esq., M.P., who became the thirty-eighth Master of theKoyal Buckhounds; and, pursuant to the subjoined Warrant, was sworn and admitted to that office, and entered upon the duties appertaining thereto, commencing on July 7, 1737. George R. Our Will and Pleasure is, that you forthwith swear and admitt or cause to be sworn and admitted Our Trusty and Well beloved Ealph Jenison Esq'" into the Office and Place of Master of our Buckhounds; To have, hold and enjoy the same, during Our Pleasure, with all Rights, Fees, Salaries, Profits, Privileges, and Advantages thereunto belonging, in as full & ample manner, to all Intents and Purposes as Charles, Earl of Tankerville, or any other Person hath held and enjoy'd, or of Right ought to have held and enjoy'd the same. And &c. Given &c. the eighteenth day of June 1737, in the Eleventh Year of our reign. By His Majesty's Command HoLLEs Newcastle. To his Grace the Duke of Grafton &c. — Lord ChamberlaivJs Records : Wa7'rcmts of Several Sorts, vol, xxviii., p. 333. 362 HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. As appears by the Accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber of the Royal Household, Mr. Jenison's stipend was 2,341/. a year, out of which he had to discharge the ordinary annual cost of the pack. He was paid at this rate down to Christmas 1744, when he went out of office, and was succeeded by the Earl of Halifax, Mr. Jenison was reappointed about eighteen months after this time, and in pursuance of the subjoined Warrants was sworn in, and thus de facto became the fortieth Master of the Royal Buckhounds : — George R. Our Will and Pleasure is, that you forthwith swear and admit, or cause to be sworn and admitted, Our Trusty and Welbeloved Ralph Jenison Esq^' into the Office and Place of Master of Our Buck- hounds ; To have, hold and enjoy the same, during Our Pleasure, with all Rights, Fees, Salaries, Profits, Privileges, and Advantages thereunto belonging, in as full and ample manner, to all Intents and Purposes, as George Dunk, Earl of Halifax, or any other Person, hath held and enjoyed, or of Right ought to have held and enjoy'd the same. And for so doing, This shall be your Warrant. Given at Our Court at Kensington the 2'^ Day of July 1746, in the Twentieth Year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command HoLLES Newcastle. To Our Right Trusty and Right entirely beloved Cousin and Councillor Charles, Duke of Grafton, Our Chamberlain of Our Household. — Home Office Records : Warrcmt Book, vol. xxiv., p. 119. EALPH JENISON, ESQ., FORTIETH MASTEE. 363 xl Stamp shillings. xl Stamp shillings. xl Stamp shillings. Copy. These are to Certify that I have sworn and admitted Ralph Jenison Esquire into tlie Place and Quality of Master of His Majesty's Buck- hounds (in the room of the Rt. Honble. The Earl of Halifax) To have hold exercise and enjoy the said place together with all Rights Profits Privileges and Advantages thereunto belonging in as full and ample manner as the said Earl of Halifax formei'ly held or of right ought to have held and enjoyed the same. Given under my hand and Seal this 2"'' day of July 1746 in the Twentieth year of His Majesty's Reign. Grafton. ENTRED in the Office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Chambers the 10«' September 1746. An^ Follett, Jun'., Dep*^. Entred in the Office of W™ Aislabie Escf Aud^ October SP* 1746. Ja^ Thomas, Dep*y Aud^ Entred in the Office of W" Benson Escf And'' the 26"' day of February 1746[-7j. Edw'' Bangham, Dep*y Aud"^.* About this time he was accorded a noble suite of apartments overlooking the bowling green, f in Somerset House, and of * Copied from the original Warrants, and communicated, by Colonel Adair, Heatherton Hall, "Wellington, Salop. f THESE are to require you to deliver to Ealph Jennison Esq"" the Keys and possession of the Lodgings in His Majesty's palace of Somerset House late held by Mr. Jervase. And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. Given under my hand this 14"^ Day of November mi in the Twentj-^-first year of His Majesty's Reign. Grafton. To Mrs. Grovenor (sic) Under Housekeeper of His Majesty's palace Somerset House. The bovsrling green at Somerset House had been accessible to the public from 364 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. course he occupied Swinly Lodge, in Windsor Forest, during the hunting season, where he frequently dispensed, in an ultra- liberal manner, the official hospitality of the Master to the followers of the pack, and occasionally to the King and the Royal Family, whenever the latter honoured him with their presence, before the chase began and after it was over. We believe (but not quite certain before 1782, when Viscount Hichingbroke undoubtedly obtained the allowance) that all the Masters of the Royal Buckhounds, from the time of Colonel Negus onwards to the time of the Marquess of Cornwallis in 1812, received 300Z. a year in addition to their established salary to provide " breakfasts " for the followers of the Buck- hounds at Swinly Lodge.* This also reminds us that the Masters occasionally received a supplementary grant of 7001. on account of their extraordinary expenses in providing hunters and other necessaries, as, for example, in the subjoined Warrant issued in favour of Mr. Jenison in 1747, and a similar one in 1748-9 : — George E,. T-, 1 1 T • -n V /"Our Will and pleasure is that By virtue of Kalpli Jemson Esq' -^ . <^ , , Our General Letters oi pnvy Seal bearing date the 26"' day of June 1727 You issue and pay or cause to be issued and paid out of any Our Treasure or Revenue in the Receipt •of Our Exchequer applicable to the uses of Our Civil Government unto Our Trusty and Welbeloved Ralph Jenison Esq'' or to his Assignes the sum of Seven hundred pounds without Acco* : We being graciously pleased to allow the said sum time immemorial. In 1735 the Lord Cliamberiain, the Duke of Grafton, gave orders to the Hon. Mrs. Campbell, the then housekeeper. " to permit the neigh- bours to walk in the garden and to play at bowls on the green there, as in former times." In those days the grounds at Somerset House constituted a charming sylvan retreat, and were greatly appreciated by the citizens. * It is possible this hospitality grant continued to be received by the suc- cessive Masters of the Buckhounds to the time when Swinly Lodge was pulled down in 1824. But it seems the official dog-in-the-manger would have gone mad if this simple point was allowed to be ascertained. 700/. for Extra as Master of the Buck- hounds for the year ended Mids'' 1747 EALPH JENISON, ESQ., FOKTIETH MASTEK. 365 to him in consideration of the Extraordinaiy Charge he was at in furnishing himself with Horses and other necessaiy Equipage as Master of Our Buckhounds in and for the Year 1747. And for so doing this shall be Your Warrant. Given at our Court at St. James's the 28"" day of October 1747 in the 2P* year of Our Reign By His Majesty's Command H. Pelpham. G. Lyttelton. J. Campbell. To the Comm^^ of Our Treasviry, War* signed thereupon 29*^ Ocf 1747. Do. Lords. — Treasury Records, K. W. B., vol. xxxvii., pp. 151-537. At any rate, we know for a positive fact that during this, his second term of office, Mr. Jenison received his stipend yearly from 1746 down to the quarter of a year ended January 5, 1757, at the rate of 2,.341L per annum. He retired from this office, which he had filled altogether for seventeen years, on February 5, 1757, and on relinquishing the golden couples was accorded a pension of 2,000^. a year, which is the only instance (so far as we are aware) of a pension .having been granted to any Master of the Buckhounds under similar circumstances. It does not appear, however, that this re- tiring allowance, or any part of it, had ever been received by him, his heirs, or executors. Mr. Jenison was a prominent patron of the turf, and one of the original members of the Jockey Club. He owned and bred some fairly fine horses, amongst which his bony black mare Faustina (foaled in 1725), by Hartley's blind horse out of Blossom — Pulleine's chestnut Arabian — old Vintner mare, won (in those days of little prizes and large sport) a Plate of 40 guineas at Barnard Castle in September 1729, carrying 9 stone, 3 miles ; at Morpeth, September 1730, a Plate of 20^., carrying 10 stone, in two heats, beating four others, 4 miles ; at Preston, July 1732, a Purse of 40 guineas, 10 stone, 4 366 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. miles. At the Hambleton May meeting of this year she beat Mr. Bowe's Othello in a match for 100 guineas, 10 stone each, 4 miles. In the ensuing September she won the Gold Cup at Barnard Castle, 10 stone, 4 miles; at Leeds, May 16, 1733, a Plate of 201., 10 stone, 4 miles — after three heats, in which she beat Mr. Brewster's black mare, Miss Nesham, and the Duke of Hamilton's dun mare. At Durham, on the 9th of July in this year, Faustina and five other horses ran for a Purse of 60 guineas ; 10 stone each, 4 miles. The first heat was so near, that three out of the six tryers in the chair gave it in favour of one horse, and three in favour of another. It was, there- fore, after some disputing, declared to be a dead heat. Four more heats followed, at the conclusion of which the prize was claimed by the representatives of four of the competing animals. One of these resigning his claim, the others proposed to the stakeholder that if he would pay it to them in con- junction, each would give him his discharge, and they would divide the prize. This proposition was accepted. On the last day of this meeting (July 13) Faustina ran and won a Plate of 50 guineas, 4 miles, 10 stone, by beating the Duke of Bolton's chestnut horse, Sweepstakes, and Mr. Penny man's black gelding. Thumper, in the two first heats. Mr. Jenison slso owned Joseph Andrews, a chestnut horse, foaled in 1743, l>y Roundhead, out of Hip — Hartley's blind horse — Flying Whig, upon which this Master of the Buckhounds frequently followed the Royal pack. This horse made his fii'st appear- ance on the racecourse at Lincoln on September 14, 1748, in a Plate of 50^., for five-year-old horses which had never won ; three 2-mile heats, 11 stone each, and won the race by beating the Duke of Ancaster's Scar, and four others. Joseph Andrews also won a Plate of 50^. for six-year-old horses, 4-mile heats, 10 stone, on the following May 2 at Epsom ; His Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas, 4-mile heats, 12 stone, at York on July 31 ; a similar Plate at Lincoln on September 5 ; and ran second to Lord Portmore's Othello in His Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas in the ensuing October meeting at New- market. Shortly before his defeat in the last-mentioned race EALrH JENISON, ESQ., FOKTIETH MASTER. 367 Mr. Jenison gave the horse to his nephew, Captain Shafto, b}^ whom he was sold to Messrs. Smith and Luck, in whose names he ran on this occasion. At Barnet Races, August 5, 1756, Mr. Jenison's grey horse, Second, beat Mr. Adam's chestnut horse, Crispin, in a oOl. Plate. The odds at starting were 5 to 1 on Crispin, who won the first heat, " pretty hard run " ; but the second and third were won by Second. "They were very fine heats, and the Knowing Ones were taken in again." During this meeting- some persons " being arrived there too soon for the Diversion proposed to entertain themselves with a ride to Kirk's-End to pull down the famous Admiral Byng's home there, but a person present, who had great interest therein, persuaded the people, that his house being forfeited to the Government, was designed as a present to General Blakney, which prevented their journey, and fully satisfied the angry Populace for the present." Mr. Ralph Jenison was the last commoner who filled the office of Master of the Royal Buckhounds. He married on November 10, 1751, Miss Suky Allen, of Durham (of whose family Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, Bart., is the present repre- sentative), by whom he had no issue. He had one sister, who was married to Robert Shafto, Esq., of Benwell, county North- umberland. Two of their sons were celebrated sportsmen, proficients in all phases of athlette, Jenison Shafto having been famous for riding at Newmarket 50 miles in less than 1 hour and 50 minutes. To his great-grandson, Colonel A. W. Adair, of Heatherton Park, Wellington, Somerset, we are indebted for the engraving of his ancestor, Ralph Jenison, Esq., Master of the Royal Buckhounds, from the original picture by Sir Joshua Reynolds, for which that celebrated artist onl}- charged the modest sum of 18 guineas, for the good of his pains ; a unique masterpiece (from our point of view), which is now, in all probability, worth eighteen hundred times that money. It is the only portrait of a Master of the Buckhounds we know of in which the Master is represented in the official uniform of the Royal Pack. Here we see Mr. Jenison in his hunting 368 HISTOEY OF THE KOYAL BrCKHOTJNDS AND ASCOT EACES. habit as he lived. His coat is green, full skirted, with upright collar, very narrow lace round the cuffs and on the button- holes; gold-braided chevrons embellish the front, sloping on either side. The waistcoat is red, and more deeply laced. This Master is represented in a sitting posture ; his bridle hand reclines upon the near side arm of the chair ; his whip hand lovingly caresses the neck of a hound, which gazes on his master's face with unspeakable affection. At the moment the Master seems to have partly turned his face, as if in the act of address- ing some auditor, " Love me, love my dog " — an adage we would commend to some occasional careless followers of the pack, in the modern language of venery, " 'ware, hounds ! " The whole ensemble of the picture is exquisite in conception and execution, worthy of the magic brush by which it was created ; and as a faithful historical relic of the Royal Hunt in the days of George II. it is simply unique. Mr. Jenison was M.P. for county Northumberland during several sessions of Parliament. In 1737 he had to relinquish his seat, and offer himself for re-election, in consequence of having accepted an office of profit under the Crown — i.e., the Mastership of the Royal Buckhounds — on which occasion he was returned without opposition. He afterwards sat for the borough of Newport, Isle of Wight, which latter constituency he represented in the House of Commons to the time of his death. He died in London May 15, 1758, sincerely regretted by a large circle of friends, more especially by the numerous followers of the Royal Hunt. George Montagu Dunk, second Earl of Halifax, succeeded Mr. Jenison on the termination of the latter's first term of office, and consequently his lordship became the thirty-ninth Master of the Royal Buckhounds, and was duly installed into that office, pursuant to the annexed Warrant, dated December 31, 1744:— George R. Our Will and Pleasure is, That you forthwith swear and admit, or cause to be sworn and admitted, Our Plight Trusty and Right EAEL OF HALIFAX, THIRTY-NINTH MASTER. 369 Welbeloved Cousin, George Earl of Halifax, into the Office and Place of Master of our Buckhounds ; To have, hold, and enjoy the same, during Our Pleasure, with all Rights, Fees, Salaries, Profits, Privileges and Advantages thereunto belonging, in as full and ample Manner, to all Intents and Purposes, as Ralph Jenison Esq"', or any other Person has held and enjoyed, or of Right ought to have held and enjoyed the same. And for so doing This shall be your Warrant. Given at Our Court at St. James's the 31st day of Dec'', 1744, in the Eighteenth Year of our Reign. To Our R* Trusty & By His Majesty's Command R* Entirely Beloved Holles Newcastle. Cousin and Councillor, Charles Duke of Grafton, Our Chamberlain of Our Household. — Home Office Records. Warrant Booh, vol. xxiii., p. 372. Lord Halifax received the same remuneration as his pre- decessors and successors holding this office during the reign of George II. — viz., 2,.341Z., out of which sum he had to discharge all the ordinary charges incidental to the pack. His term of office was short and merry, he having resigned on June 25, 1746, when Mr. Jenison, for the second time, donned the official insignia of the pack. His Lordship — ^eldest son of George Montagu, first Earl of Halifax, by his wife, Lady Mary Lumley, daughter of Richard, Earl of Scarborough — was born on October 6, 1716. He was educated at Etcm and Trinity College, Cambridge. On the death of his father, May 9, 1739, he succeeded to the family honours and estates ; and was ap- pointed Ranger and Keeper of Bushey Park, and Chief Steward, Keeper, and Lieutenant of Hampton Court. About this time his Lordship was a Lord of the Bedchamber to Frederick, Prince of Wales. On the resignation of his office of Master of the Buckhounds he was appointed Chief Justice in Eyre of all the Royal Forests, Parks, Chases, and Warrens, south of Trent. His Lordship subsequently held several high offices of State, and was Principal Secretary of State for the Northern Depart- 24 370 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. ment at the time of his death, which occurred on January 22, 1771, when all his honours became extinct. When Mr. Ralph Jenison relinquished his second term of office, early in the year 1757, Lord Bateman was appointed his successor ; and in pursuance of the subjoined Warrant his Lordship was ordered to be sworn and admitted to the vacant post. Consequently, he became the fortieth Master of the Royal Buckhounds on July 2, 1757. George E. Our Will and Pleasure is That you forthwith Swear and admit, or caLise to be sworn and admitted, Our Right Trusty and Welbe- loved Cousin John Viscount Bateman, of Our Kingdom of Ireland, into the Office and Place of Master of Our Buckhounds ; To have, hold and enjoy the Same, during Our Pleasure, with all Rights, Fees, Salaries, Profits, Privileges and Advantages thereunto belong- ing, in as full and ample Manner to all Intents and Purposes as Ralph Jenison Esq"^ or any Other Person, hath held and enjoyed, or of Right ought to have held and enjoyed the Same. And for so doing This shall be your Wairant. Given at Our Court at Kensing- ton the Second Day of July 1757, in the Thirty First Year of Our Reign. To Our Right Trusty^ and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin and -r, . • , ^, ^. ..-, -iTT-iT By His Maiestys Command, Councillor, William, v -^ '' -^ ' T^ T -. -r. 1 . HOLDERNESSE. Duke oi Devonshire, Our Chamberlain of Our Household. — Home Office Records. Warrant Boole, vol. xxvii., p. 392. The first payment recorded in the Accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber of the Household to this Master is as follows : " To Ralph Jenison Esq'' and John, Lord Bateman successively Master of the Buck Hounds, at 2,341^. c(p annum (for their salaries for three-quarters of a year) from January 5, 1757 to October 10, 1757, 1,755/. 15s." In the following year Lord Bateman was paid "in lieu of all other charges at 2,841^. LOED BATEMAN, FOKTY-FIRST MASTER. 371 a year, for one year ended October 10, 1758, 2,341^." . His Lordship received the annual stipend of this post down to the year 1782 (when the office of the Treasurer of the Chamber was abolished by Act of Parliament), when what appears to be the last payment, in that series of official documents, runs as follows : " To William (sic) Lord Viscount Bateman and the Earl of Jersey successively Master of the Buck Hounds at 2,341L per annum for three-quarters of a year ended July 5, 1782, 1,755^. 15.S." In plodding through these accounts, we find, down to the end of the reign of George XL (17G0), that the then Master is designated therein as " John, Lord Bateman " ; but in the Account for the first year of the reign of George III. (1761) he is designated "William Viscount Bateman." From this year onward to 1782 — when this series of documents terminated by the abolition of the Department — the Master is styled William Viscount Bateman ; but whether he altered his Christian name from John to William, or whether the scribe altered it for him, we are not allowed to ascertain. If you please, gentle reader, the official dog-in-the-manger objects to having this momentous State Secret divulged, as to whether the Christian name of the forty-first Master of the Hoyal Buckhounds, at this time, was John or William. Faugh ! CHAPTER XVII. GEORGE III. TO VICTORIA. The History of the Royal Buckhounds stopped by Her Majesty's Ministers. — Official Dog-in-the-Mangerism. — Red Tape. — No more Official Information permitted. — Conjectures and Speculations. — No Official Information of the Buckhounds during the Reigns of George IV., William IV., and Victoria. — The Masters and the Hunt- Servants. — And, " God Save the Queen." — Postscript. George II. expired quite unexpectedly on October 25, 1760. The sad intelligence was immediately conveyed to his grand- son, George, Prince of Wales, henceforward King George III. And it is a remarkable circumstance — especially in relation to our subject — that just as the young monarch had unknowingly passed over the threshold of the throne, he was proceeding, accompanied by Lord Bute, to a meet of the Royal Harriers in the New Park, Richmond. This good omen in the career of the Royal Hunt during his long and prosperous reign was not belied, as it is notorious the Royal Buckhounds were sustained more efficiently, showed better sport, gave the best average runs, and were better patronised by all classes during this sovereign's reign than had ever previously been known in the annals of the hunt. Yet in full view of this universally admitted fact, how tantalising is the circumstance that during the greater portion of this glorious epoch the official dog-in- the-manger effectually puts an embargo on the voyage of this " harmless historic." Soon after his accession, George III. renewed and filled up all the patent and other offices of the Household and admini- strative departments, one of the first appointments being the Earl of Huntingdon as Master of the Horse. Lord Bateman retained the official insignia of the Buckhounds, and was most 372 LOED BATEMAN RE-SWORN AS MASTER. 373 appropriately re-sworn into that office on the festival of his national saint— March 17, 1761 * — an office which he con- currently retained for a quarter of a century, which we believe to have been a record of unprecedented duration in the Master- ship in the latter-day annals of the pack. The Princess Amelia having resigned the office of Ranger of Richmond Park, the Earl of Bute was nominated to succeed Her Royal Highness in that turbulent office. This appointment occasioned a full gale of apprehension, it having been assumed that in consequence of the strong convictions which the King and the Royal Family entertained as to their rights and privileges in that park, Lord Bute's long and trusted services at the Court would naturally lead him to second those views to the prejudice of the public. Nevertheless, the apprehension entertained on this point was promptly and emphatically allayed, for the first act of the new Ranger was to conform to the dictates of the law ; and by a stroke of his pen all the objectionable notice-boards and bars were removed for ever, amid the rejoicings of the in- habitants. One result of this policy was the immediate removal of the Royal Fox and Harrier Pack from Richmond — where those hounds had been kennelled at and for some years before his time — to Windsor, where the}^ were located down to the time when they were abolished, pursuant to the provisions of the Act of Parliament of 22 George III., chapter 82, in 1782. Soon after the accession of George III. the House of Com- mons granted His Majesty, for the support of his Household and of the honour and dignity of the Crown, a yearly fund of 800,000/., out of which the Dowager Princess of Wales was to receive an annuity of 50,000/., the Duke of Cumberland 15,000/., and the Princess Amelia 12,000/., each during their lives respectively. Upon the determination of those annuities the clear yearly sum of 800,000/. was to be paid to the King per annum. As this income represented about one and a half million sterling in present currency, there could be no lack of funds to sustain all the departments of the Royal Household in a thorough state of efficiency. Of course we have nothing * Home Office Records. Warrant Book, vol. xxix., p. 99. 374 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. to do with the then establishment of the Civil List, except so far as it related to the Royal Buekhounds. It seems (so far as we can ascertain) that the nominal yearly cost of the Royal Buekhounds from the 1st to the 22nd regnal year of the reign of George III. was 2,341^. ; but there must have been additional annual expenses for kennels, hound meat, and other incidental charges which we are not allowed to ascertain. However, we may take it generally that the annual cost of the pack from 1761. to 1782, when Lord Bateman went out of office, was about the same as prevailed during the reign of George II. In the latter year, the depart- ment of the Treasurer of the Chamber having been abolished, some of the duties of that office were transferred to other departments ; that of the Master of the Horse taking over and administrating some functions and discharging certain liabilities incidental to the pack, which had been executed in the office of the Treasurer of the Chamber during the preceding 225 years. Owing to a fortuitous oversight on the part of a clerk at the Public Record Office, we obtained access to the accounts of the Master of the Horse from 1783 to 1813, the outcome of that mistake having led to the withdrawal of the restrictions which had been previously placed on the official documents of that classification — viz ., the Audit Office Records, Declared Accounts (Treasury Series), all of which are now open without reserve to the investigation of historical students down to the year 1821. Thus in the first of these accounts it transpires that the department of the Master of the Horse was saddled in 1 783 with certain duties which previously had been executed by the defunct department of the Treasurer of the Chamber ; and " according to His Majesty's Establishment, dated the 27th of August, 1783," we obtain the following payments in connection with the Royal Buekhounds for the year 1783, viz. : — George, Earl of Jersey, and Viscount Hutchingbrook, successively Master of His Majesty's Buck Hounds, at 2,000^. #>* ann., and for an allowance for breakfasts at Swinly Lodge, at 300?. #' ann., for the same time — 2,300?. PAYMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUCKHOUNDS. 375 William Kennedy, huntsman, at 100^. W ann., for the same time —100?. James Johnstone and five other yeomen prickers, at 104^. each #>" ann. —624?. WUliam Kennedy, huntsman, for the expenses of His Majesty's Buck Hounds, for the same time, by four quarterly abstracts signed by the Master of the Buck Hounds, appears 812?. 5s. 3d. More to him for sundry disbursements on account of the stables for the same time as by four like abstracts appears — 275?. 12s. lOgfZ. Richard Harrison, for saddler's work and goods delivered in September 1783—65?. 15s. Qd. William Kennedy, for carting deer within the time of this account, as by an account thereof signed by the Master of the Buck Hounds — 163?. Os. Qd. Thomas Cox, Esq., head keeper of Hanniken Lodge, for keeping deer within the time of this account, as by a like account, signed as aforesaid— 72?. 4s. lOc?. William Kennedy, for stag fees for one year to Michaelmas 1783, as by a like account signed as aforesaid — 129?. It therefore appears from the above several sums that through this Department alone nearly 4,450?. had been distri- buted in the year 1788 on account of the Pack. It is obvious other expenses were incurred and payable through different offices which we are not permitted to investigate, and, what is more important, the details would probably be ascertained. It is, therefore, hardly necessary to give the items as they are recorded in these accounts of the Master of the Horse year by year down to 1813, when this series terminates. From 1784 onward the Master of the Buckhounds received in addition an allowance of 150/. a year for horses to mount the yeomen prickers. In this year, also, the huntsman's salary was raised to 125?. per annum. David Johnston appear to have suc- ceeded William Kennedy as huntsman in 1785, with a salary of 125?. a year. From 1787 onward, what appear to have been the Kennel expenses exhibit an annual increase in main- tenance. In i795 three widows of deceased yeomen prickers received a pension of 20?. a year each. In 1797 Martha Grover 376 HISTORY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. received 63/., " His Majesty's bounty, in consideration of her being maimed by one of the King's deer." Thomas Lamb, surgeon, in payment of his bill " for cutting Martha Grover of a broken leg," received 24/. 16s. In 1800 George Gorden and others received an allowance of 152/. 10,9. a year " for attending the King home after hunting." This item appears in the accounts to 1812, but the amount was reduced to 31/. 10s. The subjoined is the final account (which we have been permitted to consult) in this series, for the year ended January 5, 1813: — £ s. d. The Marquis Cornwallis, Master of the Buck Hounds, at 2,000/. '^ ann., for one quarter of a year to the 5th of April, 1812, 500/., and at 1,700/. '^ ann. for three-quarters of a year to the 5th of January, 1813, 1,275/. O5. Oc/. In both . . . 1,775 More to the same Person, at the rate of 300/. '^ ann., an allowance for Breakfasts at Swinley Lodge for one quarter of a year to the 5th of April, 1812 75 One Huntsman, at 125/. '^ ann., for a year to the 5th of January, 1813 125 Six Yeomen Prickers, for salary at 50/. #^ ami. each, necessaries at 8/. #' ann. each, and for keeping two horses each at 46/. W ann. each, for one quarter of a year to the 5th of AprU, 1812 — 156/. The same Persons at 104/. ^ ann. each, and for keeping two horses each at 25/. W ann. each, for three-quai'ters of a year to the 5th of January, 1813—580/. 10s. In all 736 10 The Marquis CornwalKs, Master of His Majesty's Buck Hounds, an allowance at the rate of 150/. #' ann. for the Horses of Yeomen Prickers for one quarter of a year to the 5th of April, 1812 . 37 10 Jane Johnstone and Mary Jewell, widdows of Yeomen Prickers, allowance at 20/. "^ ann. each for one year to the 5 th of January, 1813 — 40/. ; and Jane Johnstone, Huntsman's widdow, at 30/. W ann., for one quarter and forty-three days, to the 5th of January, 1813—10/. 16s. ^d. In all 50 16 ^ PAYMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUCKHOUNDS. 377 £ s. d. Two Feeders, at bll. W ann. each, for three-quarters of a year to the 5th of January, 1813 .... 85 10 In all Hunt Salaries and allowances 2,885 6 5| David Johnstone and George Sharpe, successively Huntsmen, for the expenses of His Majesty's Buck Hounds, as by four quarterly abstracts, signed by the Master of the Buck Hounds, appears . .2,192 9 11^ More to the said Persons on account of the Hunters' Stables, as by the like abstracts, signed as afore- said (including 6^, Qs,, the net produce of a horse sold, and which forms an article of voluntary charge in this account) 71510 G. Sharpe, Huntsman, expense of taking lame Hounds to Shoreham, signed as aforesaid 75 1(3 \h David Johnstone and others, for Carting and feeding deer, as by accounts of particulars signed as aforesaid 441 11 3 David Johnstone and G. Sharpe for Stag-fees, as by certificates signed by the Master of the Buck Hounds 105 David Pollock, sadler 99 Edward Addams, bitmaster 12 Dr. R. Pope, for attending the late David Johnstone, Huntsman, as his Physician, as by Treasury Letters respectively dated 30th November, 1812, and 4th March, 1816, and the receipt of Dr. Pope, appears 22 1 Mr. W. Leake, apothecary, for medicines and attend- ing the before mentioned person, as by the same authorities, and the receipt of Mr. Leake, appears 55 12 George Gosden and two other Yeomen Prickers, their allowance for protecting the King and the Prince Pegent while hunting 31 10 In all Hunt-bills and other disbursements .3,751 1 9 Now, as to Masters of the Royal Buckhounds in succession to John, Viscount Bateman, with whom we closed our last chapter, we are compelled to turn from the official information, 18 5 2 378 HISTOKY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. which has been hitherto derived from the Home Office Records, to imperfect printed ephemerides and cognate calendars, in order to continue the chronicle of the holders of the office down to the present time. Thus we miss all the authentic details given in the Home Office and Treasury Records relating to the Masters, the hunt-servants, the kennels, and the horses,* connected with the pack. Here, at the very outset, the printed ephemerides are at fault, as the Earl of Jersey's name, as Master of the Royal Buckhounds, does not occur in them until the year 1783, whereas he was sworn into the office by the Lord Chamberlain March 29, 1782. In 1784, Viscount Hichingbroke t is first mentioned in the " Royal Kalendar " as Master of the " Royal Hunt," with a salary of 2,300i. a year, under whom was one huntsman (W. Kennedy), salary 125^,, and six yeomen prickers, who received 129Z. each per annum. This is likewise inaccurate, as his lordship was sworn into office by the Lord Chamberlain on May 30, 1783 ; he carried the official insignia of the pack until February 12, 1806, when he was succeeded by the Earl of Albemarle. The Marquis Cornwallis does not appear in the " Kalendar " list until 1808, nevertheless, if we had access to the Home Office Records we should probably find the Warrant of his appoint- ment dated about March 1807 — when the Earl of Albemarle resigned; at any rate, the marquis was sworn into office by the Lord Chamberlain on May 13, 1807, as appears by the subjoined certificate : — Certificate of A'pj^ointment of Charles, Marquis Cornwallis. These are to Certify that in Obedience to His Majesty's Conimancls I have Sworn and Admitted the Most Noble Charles Marquis Cornwalhs into the Office and Place of Master of His Majesty's * On March 11, 1782, George III. commanded the Lords of the Treasury to pay Viscount Bateman the sum of 700Z. to reimburse him for " the extra- ordinary charges he was at in furnishing himself with horses and other necessary equipage as Master of our Buckhounds." This annual allowance probably continued to be paid to subsequent Masters ; but, of course, it is impossible to say whether or no, in the absence of the Records containing the facts. f Became Earl of Sandwich on the death of his father, April 30, 1792. APPOINTMENT WAEEANTS. 379 Buckliounds to have hold and enjoy the same during His Majesty's Pleasure with all Rights, Fees, Salaries, Profits, Privileges & Advan- tages thereunto belonging in as full & ample manner to all Intents & Purposes as William Charles Earl of Albemarle or any other Person hath held & enjoyed or of Pight ought to have held and enjoyed the same. Given under my hand and Seal the 13th day of May 1807 In the forty-seventh year of His Majesty's .Reign. Dartmouth.* According to the " Kalendar," his lordship's stipend was 2,000/. a year ; the huntsman, David Johnson, had 12.5/.; and six yeomen prickers, whose names are not given, were in receipt of 104/. each per annum. We believe the marquis carried the golden couples of the Royal pack for seventeen years — from the 47tli year of the reign of George III., during the Regency, and into the 4th year of the reign of George IV., and that he died in his hunting harness in August 1823, when he was succeeded by Lord Maryborough (afterwards third Earl of Mornington), . who was ordered to be sworn into the office on August 22, 1823, pursuant to the following copy of the Royal sign manual in that behalf: — George R. Our Will and Pleasure is, that you forthwith Swear and Admit, or cause to be sworn and admitted. Our Right Trusty and Welbe- loved Councillor William Lord Maryborough, into the Office and Place of Master of Our Buck-Hounds ; to have hold and enjoy the same during Our Pleasure, with all Rights, Fees, Salaries, Profits, Privileges and Advantages, thereunto belonging in as full and ample Manner to all Intents and Purposes as Charles Marquis Cornwallis, deceased, or any other Person hath held and enjoyed, or of right ought to have held and enjoyed the same, and for so doing this shall be Your Warrant. * Lord Chamherlain's Records. Appointments, 1793-1820, vol. cxciii., p. 104. 380 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. Given at our Court at Carlton House the Twenty-Second Day of August 1823 In the Fourth year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, Rob. Peel. To Our Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin and Councillor James Duke of Montrose, K.G., Our Chamberlain of Our House- hold. Endorsed. — The oath administered to Lord Maryborough by the Duke of Montrose at the Office, January 13, 1824. Appointment Book, fo. 62. Not Gazetted.* If we can trust the " Royal Kalendar," Charles Davis, who was groom to the pack in 1816, and one of the whippers-in from 1817 to 182-i, was promoted to the place of huntsman in 1825, and filled the post until 1867, when, we believe, he was succeeded by Mr. Henry King. Lord Maryborough figures as the Master of the Buckhounds in the " Kalendar," from 1824 to 1831, but there is no doubt his tenure of office terminated soon after the death of George TV., as Viscount Anson was ordered to be sworn into the office by William IV. on December 24, 1830, as appears by the subjoined Hoyal sign manual : — William R. Our Will and Pleasure is, that you forthwith Swear and admit, or cause to be Sworn and Admitted, Our Right Trusty and Wel- beloved cousin and Councillor Thomas William Viscount Anson, into the Office and Place of Master of Our Buck-hounds ; to have hold and enjoy the same during Our Pleasure, with all Rights, Fees, Salaries, Profits, Privileges and Advantages thereunto belonging in as full and ample manner to all Intents and Purposes as William Lord Maryborough, resigned, or any other Person hath held and enjoyed, or of Right ought to have held and enjoyed the same; and for so doing this shall be Your Warrant. Given at Our Court at * Lord Cliamherlain's Records. Sig7i Manuals for A2)2)ointments, 1804-55, vol. y^, p. 222. SUCCESSIVE MASTERS OF THE EOYAL PACK. 381 Saint James's the Fourth day of December, 1830, In the First Year of Onr Reign. By His Majesty's Command, Melboubne. To Our Eight Trusty and Eight En- tirely Beloved Cousin & Councillor William Spencer, Duke of Devon- shire, K.G., Our Chamberlain of Our Household. {Great seal in red loax. Embossed revenue-staynp for \l. 10s. in mai'gin.) Endorsed — Sworn by the Duke of Devonshire. Appointment Book, fo. 51. "Not Gazetted."* On December 29, 1834, George, Earl of Chesterfield, was appointed Master of the Royal Buckhounds, vice "Thomas William, Viscount Anson, now Earl of Lichfield." His lord- ship was gazetted the following day, and sworn into the office by the Lord Chamberlain (the Earl of Jersey) on March 12, 1835 ; nevertheless his name does not occur in any calendar or ephemeris in his capacity of Master of the Buckhounds. It is absurd to place implicit reliance upon such obviously in- accurate works of reference ; yet, in the absence of ofiicial data, we know of no other sources of information on the subject. Under these circumstances, it must here suffice to give the successive Masters of the Royal pack as their several names occur in the " Royal Kalendar " — viz., 1836, Earl of Errol; 1841, Lord Kinnard ; 1842, Earl of Rosslyn ; 1847, Earl Granville; 1849, Earl of Bessborough ; 1853, Earl of Rosslyn ; 1854, Earl of Bessborough ; 1859, Earl of Sandwich ; 1800, Earl of Bess- borough ; 1807, Lord Colville of Culross ; 1869, Earl of Cork ; 1875, Earl of Hardwick ; 1881, Earl of Cork; 1885, Marquis of Waterford; 1886, Lord Suffield; 1887, Earl of Coventry. Mr. Francis Goodall, the present f popular huntsman of the pack, is mentioned as having filled the office since 1873. * Lord Cliamherlain' s Records. Sign Manuals for Aj'jjointmcnts, 1804-55, vol. 7^3-, No. 26. t June 1887. SwiNLEY Lodge. (From an Eagraving in the " Sxwrting Magazine," 1795.) CHAPTER XVIII. SWINLEY LODGE. It is probable that a lodge and kennel had been in Swinley Walk, Windsor Forest, from time immemorial. Nei^ertheless, the earliest specific mention of Swinley Lodge which we have met with does not date farther back than the reign of James I., and is comprehended {inter alia) in J©hn Norden's unique survey of Windsor Forest, made " by order of the King," in the year 1607. At this time Sir Henry Nevill was — like Heme the Hvmter- — "sometime Keeper there." According to this crude, though carefully coloured and gilded plan, drawn to scale, on a fine membrane of vellum, and spoiled by the binder through whose hands it subsequently passed, the lodge appears to be a small structure with gables at the northern and southern extremities. The front door faces south-west. A small hut (probably a kennel) stands within the enclosui-e toward the east in the front view of the lodge. These two buildings are enclosed by a railed-in paddock. The outer enclosure was " environeth " on all sides by a rail of high hurdles — as were all the walks in Windsor 382 SWINLEY LODGE. 383 Forest at this time. In 1607 Swinley was a reel deer walk, contain- ing 100 head, of which 30 were "antlers," 16 " stags," and the rest probably hinds. We have not noticed any further reference to Swinley Lodge until the reign of Queen Anne. In August 1704, pui'suant to commands, the Lord High Treasurer, Sidney Godolphin, signified Her Majesty's wish that the ground " within and without " Swinley Rails, in Windsor Forest, should be levelled, and the rabbits therein exterminated. From the report made thereon by the surveyor, it appears, at this time, that this part of the forest comprised about a thousand acres, and that it would cost about 450?. " to trench the burroughs, which must be at least three foot deep, fill them in again and ram them, to make y*^ ground fitt & safe for her Majesty's hunting," On January 31, 1715-6, the Duke of Kent submitted a repre- sentation to the Lords of the Treasury, " that for the better preserving the deer in Swinley Walk, a new foddering pen " was absolutely necessary, which he thought ought to be enclosed within the rails, and made so as to shelter the deer from cold, with a loft over the shelter, to place hay in, for the winter's foddering. The Duke adds that there were some small repairs required at the barns, etc., "belonging to the Lodge," which might be done at the same time. His Grace further observes : " Mr. Bret the Hanger at Swinley has represented to me, that he did fodder the Deer there all the last season, at his own expense," — Mr. Mildmay, late Ranger under the Duke of Northumberland, refusing to provide hay, or to allow any part of the 501. per annum, appointed for that purpose; "therefore," he adds, "I hope your Lordships will direct the Sur- veyor of the Woods, to pay to Mr. Rret such part of the preceeding allowance, as you shall think sufiicient, to reimburse him for that service." He then appeals to their Lordships to order payment to the under-keepers of their salaries and allowances, which at this time had been two years in arrear, as he was satisfied that " some of those poor men who subsist chiefly by that salary, do at this time want bread for the support of themselves and families." On the ensuing March 15, the Surveyor submitted an estimate of the probable cost of executing these repairs, which, it was com- puted, would amount to 108?. 7s. l^d. The repairs of Swinley Rails appear to have been executed soon after at a total expenditure 384 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. of 17 SI. is., which amount was derived from wood felled and sold in Windsor Forest. On March 20, 1716-7, Lord Cobham sent a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury setting forth that the fences round the new planted coppices belonging to the walk called Swinley Rails were so much out of repair that the young wood was in danger of being utterly destroyed, by the deer cropping it, unless it was speedily repaired. " And," he adds, " as that is the only proper place in Windsor fforest to breed & preserve Game for his Majesty's Diversion, I think it fit to acquaint your Lordships that I conceive it necessary for the King's Service that these fences be immediately put in Order, as the only means to preserve the Game ab' Swinly." In the following month the Surveyor- General, in obedience to the orders of the late Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, reported that he had viewed the fences round the new planted coppices at Swinley, and found them so ruined and decayed that, unless they were repaired, the deer would prevent the young trees ever becoming a covert for His Majesty's game, and that the probable expense thereon would be 294^. The rails, posts, etc., necessary for making the said fences might be procured out of dotard and decayed trees, which might be felled in Windsor Forest, but he feared it would be difficult to raise the money there to defray the charge of workmanship, without some destruction to the forest. This report w^as translated into French, and duly submitted to George I., but whether His Majesty ordered the work to be under- taken or not, does not transpire. On May 4, 1722, 69/. 65. lid. was expended on Swinley Lodge. The original estimate was for 2311. 4rS. 8d., but the Treasury dis- allowed 143/. 17s. 9cZ. of it " as the necessary repairs only do require," because my Lords thought " it unnecessary to put his Mat^ to the expense of additional buildings at the Lodge for the conveniency of Inhabitants there." In 1723, the keepers of Swinley Eails and the bailiff of Battles bailiwick collectively received 50/. for hay for the deer therein ; and the under-keeper of Swinley was in the enjoyment of an annual salary of 20/. The aggregate sum paid this year for the salaries of the officers of Windsor Forest amounts to 537/. 9s. ll|c/. On June 11, 1725, the Surveyor of Woods, in compliance to the order of the Lords of the Treasury, reported that he had carefully SWINLEY LODGE. 385 surveyed Swinley Lodge and Walk, relative to the " particular works and plantations " which His Majesty had ordered to be made there " for the increase and preservation of the game " ; and found that there were many acres of land to be ploughed and sown with different sorts of grain ; many hurdles and gates to be made according to the different occasions that may happen to arise ; many vermin of different kinds to be destroyed ; and many other changes incidental to this service which could not be precisely estimated ; therefore he proposed that the Lords of the Treasury should authorise him to defray the necessary cost of the work out of any money that shall be or remain in his hands arising from wood sales or otherwise, and afterwards to lay the bill of particulars before their Lordships, with an estimate of the annual allowance reasonable to be made for the future. The Lords of the Treasury — viz., Sir Robert Walpole, Sir William Yonge, George Dodington, and William Strickland — by a minute dated May 18, 1726, issued orders that the sum of 1,000^. was to be expended on Swinley Lodge and within the Walk called Swinley Walk or Rails, in Windsor Forest, for the purpose of main- taining, preserving, and increasing the game there for the King's " Royal Sport and Diversion.'*' Trees in the Bourn Wood were to be felled and sold to defray this expenditure. The Surveyor-Creneral of Woods was thereupon enjoined to see the work was duly and effectvially executed. Without going into full details of the several items, it may be mentioned that the cost for repairs done to the house, outhouses, and ponds was 681. 15s. 5d. Tilling, sowing, and planting the ground from Lady Day 1725 to Lady Day 1726, 118^. 9s. lid. Beans to feed the deer, pheasants bought, corn to feed them, husbandry vitensils, and traps to kill vermin, 621. 14s. 8d. Servants' wages to look after the game and feed them for one year, 301. Repairs about the dwelling house, outhouses, barns, granary, and stables, 167^. 5s. 2d. Repairing all the out fences and in fences separating the grounds, with the gates, bridges, and trunks belonging to them, and for making a new deer pen, 185^. 15s. Id. Four hundred 9x7 feet hurdles to be moved as i-equired to protect fresh ground of tillage and covert, 1201. And for a plan of the Lodge and the adjacent parts of the Walk, 30^. On April 26, 1727, Colonel Francis Negus presented a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury directing attention to the state of 25 386 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. Swinley Lodge, and submitted that certain repairs were urgently wanted in respect of that place. It seems, however, that, probably in consequence of the death of Geoi-ge I., many contemplated im- provements to the Lodge and Swinley Walk dropped, and we hear nothing further of those affairs for some considerable time. On April 26, 1748, Mr. Robert Nunn was paid 138^. 2s. for his charges and expenses for feeding and carting stags and red deer, " which were catched and put into pens at tSwinley Lodge and Windsor Great Park for the Royal Family to hunt," from March 1745 to December 1747, by virtue of a Certificate by the Earl of Halifax and Ralph Jenison, Esq., the late and present Masters of His Majesty's Buckliounds. On July 4, 1750, he received a further sum of 811. 18s. "for catching and carting hinds and stags in Windsor Great Park, and for catching, carting and feeding deer at Swinley and Bagshot Lodges in the years 1748 and 1749 by right of a like Warrant. On July 30, 1760 he received a like sum for taking, feeding and carting deer from Windsor Great Park, Swinley and Bagshot Lodges " and carrying them to several places for the Royal Family to hunt from Midsummer 1759 to Midsummer 1760." These details came out in a casual search, fi'om which we infer that a succinct investigation would show that the charges above men- tioned were incurred and defrayed year by year during the reign of George 11. It may also be noted here that 35Z. per annum was allocated to buy turnips to feed the red deer in each of the Walks in Windsor Forest in the winter time.* From 1774 to 1789 the following sums were expended on the Lodgeand Walk— viz., 1774 and 1778, SSll. ; 1782, 1,049/. 16s. lid.; 1783, 672Z. Is. U. and 253/.; 1784, 526/ 9s. 3f/; 1786, 847/. 9s. lid.; 1787, 150/. 15s.; 1788, 509/. 4s. 6c/.; 1789, 269/. 12s. U. In the estimate and specifications for necessary repairs required here in 1788 it transpu-es that the " elm water pipes " which supplied the kennels were out of order, and that it was urgently necessary they should be " repaii-ed and cleaned" at a cost of 22/. 18s. The pale and fences' of the deer paddock at Swinley, the horse paddock, and the adjoining pastures, likewise needed repairing at an estimated cost of 69/. 12s. 4c/. Lord Hichingbrooke, Master of the Buckhounds,, made pressing representations to the Lords of the Treasury and to the authorities of the Office of Woods and Forests as to the necessity * Treasurtj Records, M.S., P.R.O. SWINLEY LODGE. 387 of attending immediately to these matters. It appears that in the year 1791 one of the walls of the kennel was blown down, where- upon Lord Hichingbrooke suggested that it should be rebuilt in some other situation, " at such distance from the Lodge as to avoid the present noise and inconvenience of that kennel." This recom- mendation (which seems to have been rather selfish) was evidently ignored, for in the following year 2,000^. was expended on a " new bitch and puppy kennel at Swinly." * In 1801 an estimate for necessary repairs at Swinley Walk amounted to 2,344?. 55. Q^d. In 1805, 2,232?. 16s. Id. was expended on repairs of the lodge, fences, pales, etc. In 1808 650?. was paid for building and fitting up, adjoining the lodge, a washhouse and laundiy, with sleeping rooms over it. In 1810 Lord Cornwallis directed attention to sundry necessaries that were required at the Lodge, and that " 2 chairs and 3 sofa covers were wanted for His Majesty's room." In 1818 this Master of the Buckhounds called attention to the state of the Lodge, par- ticulai"ly the bedrooms, to repair which an estimate was submitted for 237?. 6s. 2d In this year the kitchen range of the Lodge was so " out of order" that Lord Hichingbrooke, Master of the Buckhounds, com- plained to the Lords of the Treasury that he could not cook " any victuals there in consequence." In 1792 the Duke of Gloucester, in his capacity of " Keeper and Lieutenant of H.M. Forest, Parks and Warrens of Windsor," passed the Warrant to pay the keeper of Swinley Lodge his salary at the rate of 50?. a year, also 20?. for the under-keeper there. There was also a charge of 40?. for feeding the deer. In 1794 an estimate was submitted for urgent repaii's at the lodge amounting to 669?. 15^., including an item of 1?. 75. 2c?. for " repairing the cornice of the King's room." In the following year 1,620?. 18s. 5c?. was laid out in repairs at the Lodge, the ice house, deer paddocks, kennels, stables, and out offices. In 1799 the interior of the rooms of the lodge having been newly painted and decorated, the Duke of York objected to the walls of the rooms being covered with cheap and nasty paper. On June 24, 1824, Lord Maryborough received the King's commands to deliver the land held by liim, as Master of the * The kennels (probably the clog pack) were " upon Ascot Heath " prior to 1782. 388 HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. Buckhoiinds at Swinley, to the Department of Woods and Forests, but the paddocks in which the deer were kept there were to continue to be occupied as heretofore. It was now proposed to let the land, called Swinley Park, containing 297 acres, 2 roods, and 4 perches, to H.R.H. Pi'ince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, at an annual rent of 128?. As to the lodge, it was in such a state as to be no longer habit- able, incapable of being repaired unless at a very great and un- warrantable expense, consequently it was decided to pull the whole down, and dispose of the materials to the best advantage. It transpired in this affair that Lord Maryborough's predecessors, as Masters of the Royal Buckhounds, respectively enjoyed, in right of their office, the use of about 230 acres of arable, pasture, and wood- land adjoining Swinley Lodge, from which must have been derived considerable advantage (of which Lord Maryborough and his suc- cessors would be dispossessed) ; consequently it was suggested that Lord Maryborough should not be deprived of those advantages if it could be found convenient to provide a suitable habitation for him in the neighbourhood. About this time the lodge consisted of a ground floor, containing the King's room, parlours, entrance hall, servants' hall, kitchen, and storerooms. Over this were twelve bedi'ooms, closets, etc. This edifice, with the ofiices, stables, etc., was sold by auction, in small lots, in 1831, the materials having been estimated at the value of 220?.* * MS. Beyartment of Woods, etc., 1, Wliitehall Place, S.W., by permission of Colonel Sir Nigel Kingscote, K.C.B. CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX TO THE MASTERS, HUNTSMEN, AND HUNT-SERVANTS OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS FROM THE REICN OF KING EDWARD III. TO THE REIGN OF H.I.M. QUEEN VICTORIA. THE HEREDITARY, OR MANORIAL PACK. 5IASTEKS. Sir Bernard Brocas, 1362 to 1395 . Sir Bernard Brocas, 1395 to 1400 . Sir Rustin Villenove (Intervenient Master) William Brocas, Esq., 1401 to 1456 William Brocas, Esq., 1457 to 1484 John Brocas, Esq., 1484 to 1492 . William Brocas, Esq., 1492 to 1506 John Brocas, Esq., 1508 to 1512 . George Warham, Esq., j?/;y' Anne Brocas, 1513 to 1514 Ralph Pexsall, Esq.,/;/re Edith Brocas, 1515 to 1518 Sir Richard Pexsall, 1519 to 1571 . Sir John Savage, 1574 to 1584 Sir Pexsall Brocas, 1584 to 1630 . Thomas Brocas, Esq., 1630 to 1633 Sir Lewis Watson, First Baron Rockingham, 1633 to 1652 Edward Watson, Second Baron Rockingham, 1653 to 1689 Lewis Watson, First Earl of Rockingham, 1689 to 1707 THE HOUSEHOLD, OR PRIVY PACK. I. George Boleyne, Viscount Rochester, 1528 to 1536 IL Sir Richard Long, c. 1537 to 1545 IIL Thomas, Baron Darcy, K.G., c. 1546 to Jan. 28, 1551 IV. John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, April 5 to Nov, 10, 1551 . V. Sir Robert Dudley, Nov. 11, 1551, c. to Aug. 1553 . VI. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, May 28, 1572, to Sept. 1588 VII. Sir Richard Pexsall,* May 23, 1554, to Nov. 17, 1558 VIII. Sir Thomas Tyringham, July 21, 1604, to March 25, 1625 IX. Sir Timothy Tyrell, March 26, 1625, to May 19, 1633 * Sir Richard Pexsall was appointed " Custodian or Master " of the Privy Buckhounds by Letters Patent, dated May 23, 1554, but he does not appear to have exercised the duties, or to have received the emoluments, of that office during the reign of Queen Mary. 389 PAGES 13- - 14 15- - 17 17 18- - 20 21 21- - 22 23 23 24 24- - 27 80- - 81 82- - 86 87- - 92 93- - 94 203- -210 211- -212 213- -215 35- - 49 50- - 51 51- - 52 53- - 56 57- - 60 61- - 75 81 95- -118 119- -134 390 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX TO THE MASTERS, ETC. THE HOUSEHOLD OR PBIVY PACK— continued. Masters. pages X. Sir Thomas Tyringham(ii.), May 20, 1633, to Jan. 1637 129— ISi XI. Eobert Tyrwhitt, Esq., May 4, 1637, to Jan. 6, 1651 . 134—148 XXL John Gary, Esq., July 7, 16G1, Feb. 5, 1685 . . . 149—176 XIII. Colonel James Graham, March 25, 1685, to Sept. 29, 1688 177—183 XIV. James de Gastigny, Esq., Sept. 9, 1689, to c. July 1698 . 184—188 XV. Eelnhard Vincent, Baron Van Hompesch, July 6, 1689, to March 8, 1702 184- -194 317—361 336—368 861 370—373 y 374-379 THE UNITED PACKS. XXXII. Sir Charles Shuckburg, June 6, 1703, to Sept. 2, 1705 . 216—227 XXXIII. Walter, Viscount Chetwynd, Oct. 4, 1705, to June 7, 1711 230—232 XXXIV. Sir William Wyndham, June 8, 1711, to June 27, 1712 . 233—235 XXXV. George, Earl of Cardigan, June 28, 1712, to June 11, 1715 236—251 XXXVI. Colonel Francis Negus, July 11, 1727, to Sept. 9, 1732 . 268—291 XXXVII. Charles, Earl of Tankerville, June 21, 1733, to June 1736. 292—293 —360 XXXVIII. Ealph Jenison, Esq., July 7, 1737, to Dec. 25, 1744 . XXXIX. Earl of Halifax, Dec. 31, 1744, to June 25, 1746 . XL. Ealph Jenison, Esq. (ii.), July 2, 1746, to Feb. 5, 1757 . XLL Viscount Bateman, July 2, 1757, to July .5, 1782 (/) XLII. Earl of Jersey, March 29, 1782 to (?) .... XLIII. Viscount Hichingbroke, Earl of Sandwich, May 30, 1783, to (?) XLIV. Earl of Albemarle, 1806 or 1807 to (/) .... XLV. Marquis Cornwallis, May 13, 1807, to 1823 (?). XL VI. Lord Maryborough, Earl of Mornington, Aug. 23, 1823, to (?) XL VII. Viscount Anson, Earl of Lichfield, Dec. 4, 1830, to (?) . XLVIIL Earl of Chesterfield, Dec. 29, 1834, to (?) . . .\ XLIX. Earl of Errol, 1836 (?) L. Lord Kinuard, 1841 (?) LI. Earl of Eosslyn, 1842 (?) LII. Earl of Granville, 1847 (?) LIII. Earl of Bessborough, 1849 (?) LIV. Earl of Eosslyn (ii.), 1853 (?) .... LV. Earl of Bessborough (ii.), 1854 (?) .... LVI. Earl of Sand^-ich, 1859 (?) LVII. Earl of Bessborough (iii.), 1860 (?) . LVIII. Lord Colville of Culross, 1867 LIX. Earl of Cork, 1869 LX. Earl of Hardwick, 1875 LXL Earl of Cork (ii.), 1881 LXII. Marquis of Waterford, 1885 LXIII. Lord SuflSeld, 1886 LXIV. Earl of Coventry, 1887 LXV, Lord Eibblesdale, 1892 380 381 POSTSCEIPT A SERIES of articles, condensed from the subject matter in this work, entitled " The Royal Buckhounds and their Masters," was contributed to and published in Bailys Monthly Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, from July 1886 to June 1887. Want of space necessarily excluded all the interesting details relating to the personnel and to the maintenance of the Pack which now appear in this volume, from the time when the Royal Buckhounds were insti- tuted in the i-eign of Edward III. to soon after the accession of George III. Within that period of four hundred years all the official records relating to the subject are open to the pubHc for consultation without reserve. But from the reign of George III. onwards to the present time the official records cannot be consulted without per- mission of the departments to which the sevei-al sets of documents respectively appertain. In order to continue the subject on the same lines as had hitherto been followed, and to carry it on from the reign of George III. down to date, it became necessary at this chronological epoch to apply to the administrators of the different departments for permission to consult their archives, so far as they might contain informa- tion relating to the work in hand. Accordingly, on February 28, 1887, the Compiler wi-ote to the Secretary of State for the Home Department to inquu-e if he would accord him (the Compiler) permission to consult the State papers of his department from the year 1760 to (say) 1860, relating to the Royal Buckhounds, which were deposited in the Public Record Office, for the purpose of continuing and bringing this work to a conclusion. In this and a subsequent letter (March 8, 1887), the Compiler referred to the circumstance that when the office of the Treasurer of the Chamber had been abolished, on July 5, 1782, pursuant to the Act of the 22 George III. c. 82, the duties which had been administered by 392 POSTSCKIPT. that department (under the Lord Chamberlain) seemed to have been transferred to the Home Office during the interval pending the re-organisation of the Royal Buckhounds under the department of the Master of the Horse.* But, as to what had actually taken place on this point the Compiler is unable to say in the absence of the departmental records which he has not been permitted to consult. At any rate (as shall presently appear), there is no doubt whatever that the Home Office continued to be the channel through which certain official correspondence passed in connection with the Royal Buckhounds down to 1782. On March 21, 1887, the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment wrote to the Compiler (B. 1036/3) acquainting him " that the Public Record Office report on enquiry that there is no series of Home Office papers in that department which relate to the Royal Buckhounds." On March 22, 1887, the Compiler wrote, in reply, to the Secretary of State, asserting that the report he mentioned was false ; and, in order to prove that the alleged report was inaccurate, he gave eight specific references taken from the series of Home Office Records known as " Warrant Books " and " Domestick Books " from the time of Wniiam III. to George III., and renewed his application for permission to consult the " after date " records of the department for the purpose specified in his application of the 28th ultimo. The reply to that letter is subjoined : — [Copij.] " Whitehall, " Aj}ril 6, 1887. " B. 1036/6. " Sir, " With reference to previous correspondence, and par- ticularly to your letter of the 22nd ultimo, I am directed by the Secretary of State to acquaint you that the authorities of the Public Record Office positively assure him that there are no such papers in their custody as you suppose relative to the Mastership of the Royal Buckhounds. *' I am, Sir, " Your obedient Servant, " (Signed) E. Leigh Pemberton. "J. P. HoRE, Esq." * See p. 374. POSTSCEIPT. 393 Assuming the assertions made in these two letters, dated March 21 and April 6, 1887, of the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment to be correct, it follows, as a matter of course, that the eight specific references submitted by the Compiler in support of his application of March 22, 1887, must have been fictitious. It would therefore ensue that all the references, and the copies and extracts derived fi'om the Home OJfice Records relating to the Eoyal Buck- hounds, and inserted in this volume, must have been not only spurious, they must have been concocted by the Compiler with an intention to deliberately mislead. Fortunately all the documents which purport to have been derived from the series of Home Office Records deposited in the Public Record Office, as quoted in this book, from the time of Wilham III. down to 1760, are open to the inspection of any one, consequently the CompUer can safely I'ely on their verification ; and, notwithstanding the allegations of " the Authoiities of the Public Record Office " to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Compiler had recourse to the only means at his disposal to refute, under the hand and seal of the representative of the Master of the Rolls, the gross calumny which had been imposed on him. His vindication was accomplished by means of what is technically known as " an office copy " of the document contained in the " Home Office Records Warrant Book," vol. xi., page 47, as printed in this volume, p. 231. It was transcribed by the officials at the Public Record Office, and certified correct under the hand and seal of Peter Turner, Esq., an Assistant Keeper of that Department, on April 14, 1887, at a cost of 35., as appears by receipt of same date. No. 140.* Apart from independent evidence, it is clear that by virtue of this cei'tified copy there must be documents relating to the Royal Buckhounds in the Home Office Records now deposited in the Public Record Office. It is really beyond dispute and evident to every one down to 1760. And if the index volumes are correct, there are also documents in the Home Office series relating to Lord Bateman as Master of the Buckhounds in 1782 and 1783, the reference thereto being thus indicated: ''Home Office Records: Warrant Book, vol. xxvi.B, page 205; Ihid., vol. xxvii., page 1." The Compiler having applied * An office or certified copy of any official document is, under the Judicature Acts, received as irrefutable evidence in the courts of law. If we were obliged to obtain certified copies of all the original records used in this work it would probably entail an expenditure of 6,000Z. or 7,000^. 394 POSTSCRIPT. for certified copies of the two last -mentioned entries, was informed, on April 19, 1887, that it was not the practice of the Record Office to supply certified copies of any portions of index or catalogue of documents preserved there except when the Records themselves are wanting. On May 7, 1887, the Compiler wrote to the Secretary of State, Home Department, Whitehall, directing his attention to the certified copy of the document contained in the " Home Office Records : Warrant Book," vol. xi., p. 47, and the communication of April 19 from the Record Office, pointing out that the latter was tantamount to an admission that the documents referred to were in the custody of that department notwithstanding the report to the contrary, as alleged in the letter of the Secretary of State to the Compiler of the 6th ultimo (B. 1036/6). Both of those original papers were enclosed on that occasion ; and on the strength of that evidence the Compiler again reiterated his application for the usual " permit," as he was much pressed for time, and requested, in a postscript, that the enclosures should be returned to him. On the ensuing June 13 the Compiler finally wrote to the Secretary of State, Home Department, Whitehall, requesting at- tention to his (the Compiler's) letter of the 7th inst., and the favour of a reply at his earliest convenience, and that the Secretary of State would be good enough to return the enclosures contained therein. That letter was registered by the Compiler, who holds the receipt given by the Post Office for its safe delivery. No acknow- ledgment or answer has yet been received by the Compiler to that letter, nor have the enclosures been returned to him. Such ai-e the pleasures incidental to origmal historical researches, particularly in the " after date " period. Fortunately the Compiler can stand aside. The imputation on his veracity is untenable. But it is a public duty that this singular incident should be cleax-ed up. It rests between the two Public Departments to decide which is the . If the Record Office reported to the Home Office that no such documents as those in question are in their custody, the certified copy, e.g., suppUed to the Compiler must have been spurious, and consequently he was defrauded of the fees demanded and paid thereon. He knows, as a matter of fact, that such a contingency, under the circumstances, cannot be entertained. Likewise he knows nothing of the report alleged to be made by the Record Office to the Home Office. That document is too interesting to remain buried in POSTSCRirT. 395 obscurity. It must be exhumed, and before its translation to a worthy sepulchre we shall see what we shall see. As to the Treasury Records relating to the affairs of the Royal Buckhounds from the reign of George III. onward to the present time, the Lords Commissioners of that department graciously per- mitted the Compiler to consult their archives down to the year 1793, but in reply to his application, dated April 2, 1887, their Lordships were not prepared to extend the permission which they had already granted to him. In so doing that department was quite within their rights, but at the same time there is certain information preserved in those papers which cannot be obtained from any other source. Take, for instance, the svibjects which transpire in the subjoined note,* and then draw an inference of Dan' Pai-ker Esq'' rasps' CS", a letter from Lord) "Opon reading to fhe Lords C'omm" of His Maj'ty's Hichingbrook Master of j Try., a letter from Lord Hichiugbroke Master of the the Buck Hounds. j^Buck Hounds stating that he is of opinion that it may be proper to make an Addition of £25 W Aiiii. to the salary of Will'" Kennedy the Master Huntsman, and that the additional allowance of £25 ^ Anii., which their Lordships have directed to be made to each of the Six Yeomen Prickers of his- Majesty's Hunt, should be paid into the Hands of the Master of the Buck Hounds to be by him paid to such Yeomen Prickers who are in possession of two horses lit to do the duty ; I am commanded by their Lordships to desire that you will move the Duke of Montagu to insert on the Establishment of tlie Master of the Horse the sum of £25 W Aiiii. to the Master Huntsman to commence from the S'** Ap' 1783. And I am further commanded to desire that you will move His Grace to insert on the said Establishment the Sum of £150 ^ Aiin. to the Master of the Buck Hounds (in addition to his former Allowances), to commence from the said 5"' Ap' 1783, to be by him applied for the purposes aforesaid, in lieu of the additional allowance of £25 W Aiiii. directed to be made to the Six Yeomen Prickers from the lO"' Oct' 1783, by Mr, Sheridan's letter of the .3"! December last. I am, &c., 12"' May 1784, George Kose. — Vide Treasury Records : Letter Book, ?^" 1784, vol. xxx., p. 205. Nov- TREASURY 5941 REG" 5 APR 88 396 rosTSCRiPT. similar information relating to the pack, which no doubt run on on a similar line throughout the whole series, and are presumably embodied in the annual accounts of the Master of the Horse. And if we are deprived of the foundation, how is it possible to compile the super- structure? It is simply impossible to do justice to this subject except one has access to all the records of the different departments relating to the official annals of the Pack. The interesting archives of the Lord Chamberlain's Department, which are deposited in the Public Record Office, having been placed, without reserve, at the perusal of the Compiler for purpose of this work, he takes this opportunity to again acknowledge, with thanks, the favour accorded to him by the Lord Chamberlain, per the Hon. Sir S. Ponsonby Fane, and for which he is very much obHged. The Compiler has likewise to return his best thanks to Colonel Sir Nigel Kingscote, for allowing him to consult the official papers and plans which are preserved in the Department of Woods, etc., relating to the History of the Royal Buckhounds. With reference to the agitation instigated last year under the auspices of the now defunct " Humanitarian League " on the subject of alleged cruelty perpetrated by and incidental to the Royal Buck- hounds hunting " tame deer," it will be sufficient here merely to mention that not one of those allegations has been substantiated or proved in point of fact. On the other hand we have the evidence of Mr. Tattersall as a follower of the Royal Hunt going back to some fifty years, and the tradition of his family for three genera- tions, to prove, beyond controversion, that no such " cruelty " was known to have occurred in those days. And Mr. Bowen May, the doyen of the Pack — a gentleman of irreproachable veracity, who has actually hunted with the Royal Buckhovinds for sixty consecutive seasons — solemnly asserts in the public press that he had never seen a single instance of cruelty to stag or hind in the hunting field. As the positive statements of these gentlemen, and of other followers of the Pack, have not been challenged or contradicted, the un- substantiated allegations of the late Humanitarian Leaguers (who probably could not tell a hound from a hunter) necessai'ily fall to POSTSCRIPT. 397 the ground — let us hope, to i-ise no more. There is no doubt, how- ever, that in former times it was customary to "hunt and kill " the quarry, an obsolete custom which was induced in order to blood tbe hounds and to entitle the Hunt servants to certain fees or (in lieu of fees) to certain joints of venison for pot and pasty: the latter varying and passing from time to time through cuiious chops and changes according to the local custom observed at the time being in the several forests, until this custom was eventually abolished. Yet, even in those days, that now obsolete custom was by no means the general rule, as we have frequent incidents shomng that when the hunted stag or hind had given good runs of forty or fifty miles the hounds were stopped and the quarry " taken," by royal vdW and favour, to hunt another day, or was accorded a silver collar, and was never to be hunted again. It is probably a true tradition that the custom of killing the quarry terminated in " the Bishop's * year " ; and that from about that season to the present time the stag or hind was " taken " instead of being killed. If we had access to the certificates of the Masters of the Buckhounds this reform Avould be, in all probability, proved on official authority. Thus the protest of the Humanitarians, even if it were bond fide, has been made a century too late. In our opinion the only persons who have any locus standi or right to object to the continuance o{ the Boyal Buckhounds are the farmers and land-owners over whose " country " the Pack hunts ; and they are, to a man, in favour of the hunt. There are nevertheless certain faddists, who, in attacking stag- hunting in general, and the Royal Buckhounds in jjarticular, on the plea of crvielty to animals, know that if they were successful in this * We believe it was in 1783-4 that the Bishop of Osnaburg hunted five days a week during that season. The Buckhounds used to meet on Tuesdays and Satur- days, and the Harriers on Mondays and Thursdays. The alternate Wednesdays and Fridays were bye-days with both packs. It is said the Bishop stipulated that the stag or hind was to be " taken " and not killed. This having received the approbation of the King and the Prince of Wales, the Hunt servants were forbidden, for the future, to allow the hounds to pull down, worry, or kill the quarry. Prince Frederick (second son of George III.) was by his father nominated Bishop of Osnaburg in 1765, when His Royal Highness was in the second year of his age, and was created Duke of York and Albany in November 1784. In 1785 he went to Osnaburg and remained in Hanover for some years. By the Treaty of Westphalia, in 1648, it was agreed that every alternative Bishop of Osnaburg should be a Catholic and a Lutheran: the former to be elected by the Chapter ; the latter (usually a young Prince) to be nominated by the head of the House of Hanover. 398 POSTSCRIPT. respect it would become impossible to defend all other branches of the chase and many of our manly rural sports. If stag-hunting is stopped there must be an end to fox, hare, and otter-hunting. There would be no more coursing. Instead of shooting we must stalk grouse, partridge, and pheasant with a pinch of salt, and, by simply sprinkling it on the tail of the bird, thus " grass " it without the aid of " \dllainous saltpetre." Hunters and hacks would soon become extinct animals. The multifarious benefits which hunting confers on the British farmer would cease ; and the enormous sum of money now circulated at home on oui" national sports and pastimes would be diverted into other channels, to the utter loss of Her Majesty's liege subjects. When asked what alternative or substitute he would apply in the event of hunting and shooting being " utterly suppressed, abolished, and taken away," by Act of Parliament, the faddist replied, " Lawn Tennis and Croquet ! " Fancy Lawn Tennis and Croquet in a wintry southerly wind and a cloudy sky, with the going fetlock-deep, and the players attired in waterproof garments ! That answer is characteristic of the faddist, as he must have been ignorant of the ruchments of his own alterna- tive exercise ; nevertheless he has the audacity to bring unfounded charges against the followers of the Royal Buckhounds, concerning whom his theoretical and practical knowledge is absolutely nil ! Fortunately the future of stag-hunting was never so promising as at the present time. It is extending, obtaining new adherents, and attracting votaries in every part of the civilised globe. And, even if the Boyal Buckhounds were to be suppressed — as an adjunct associated for successive centuries with the " honour and dignity " of the Throne — to please the faddist, it is probable that atrabilarious individual would not be satisfied until he suppressed every institution of the State, and finally abrogated every institution of the Crown and Constitution. Before concluding this Postscript, the compiler must openly confess to a sin of omission for neglecting to carry on the annals of Ascot Eaces down to the period when the Plates which had been run for by the followers of the Pioyal Buckhounds and by the Hunt servants dropped out of the programme. As we have seen, this truly national race meeting was instituted in 1711, chiefly for the purpose of celebrating these two Plates, in connection with the Pioyal Hunt, as an exhibition of speed and stamina by the horses, and a display of jockeyship by the ridei-s, who had been in the first flight, during POSTSCRIPT. 399 each successive season, with the Royal Buckhounds in the hunting field. The early history of this race meeting is, therefore, closely affiliated with our leading subject, and we believe our compilation of those races during the pre-calendar period will be found novel and interesting. After 1760 the results of the sport at Ascot come out year by year in Weatherby's Racing Calendar, from which it appears that the last Plate run for there by the Royal Hunt sei'vants took place in 1784, and the Plate for hunters belonging to the followers of the Pack who had taken " tickets " in that season, was run for the last time in 1817. And it is a singular circumstance that in April 1817, by the award of the Commissioners, and in compliance wdth the directions of the Acts of Parliament,* " the Race-Course at Ascot Heath, and the proper avenues thereto," were directed "to be kept and continued as a race-course for the public use at all times, as it had usually been." It therefore appears that Ascot has the honour to be the only racecourse in this country which is dedicated to the public for ever by Act of Parliament. " The Royal Hunt Cup " pei-petuates the old association of the race meeting with the Buckhounds, and we pray it may continue so '' for ever and a day." The liberal patronage conferred on the meeting by the Royal Family and the Public, in the opinion of the Compiler, is not suffi- ciently appreciated by the executive. The " management," in view of modern requii'ements, is defective in almost every detail. Take, for instance, the last reunion ; the old popular fee for admission to the public stand was doubled. At the extremity of this stand, what appears to be a huge gasometer has been erected, effectually obstruct- ing the view of the races run on the T. Y. C. and the Straight Mile courses. Except to the fortvmate few in the immediate front row, nothing can be seen of the finish of the races rvin on the Cup and other courses, from the bend in, particularly when the horses incline to the near side. The parentage of the two-year-old colts and fillies (many of which are maidens) should be inserted and it is desirable that the colours of the jockeys should be given correctly on the card. With a proper public stand, " replete with all modern improvements," popular prices, and an efficient C. C, there is no reason why the surplus revenue of the Ascot Race Meeting might not be allocated * See Statutes 53 George III., c. 158—55 George III., c. 122— .'SS George III, c. 132. Also, 2, 3, and •!, Reports of the Commissioners of Woods, etc., March 1816 and June 1819 ; and the Award of the Commissioners, April 1817. 400 POSTSCRIPT, to the support of the Royal Buckhounds without entailing any charge on the Civil List. On the plea of " put yourself in his place," the Compiler craves indulgence for the minor blemishes that meet the eye of the critical reader. As to the major blemish, incidental to every unfinished work, that, in this case, is beyond the Compiler's control. " Finis Coronat Opus." Exactly. And if the end crowns the work, it behoves the Ministers of the Crown to explain why this work was not allowed to be brought to an end. J. P. HORE, 22, Dalbeeg Eoad, Bkixtoit, S.W., ■Jww 1893. FINIS. NON FINIS. Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbviiy. 7^S tl^l