Turbervile's Booke of hunting, 1576

UNIVERSITY OF B.C. LIBRARY

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Turbcrvile^s
Bookc of Hunting i^y6

Henry Frowde, M.A.

Publisher to the Umrerjity of Oxford

London, Edinburgh, New York
Toronto and Melbourne

Turberviles
Boo^e of Hunting

iS7 6

ox

Q^t the Clarendon Tress
M CM VIII

NOTE

The present edition of George Turbervile's
Noble ^ne of Kenerle or Hunting is reprinted page
for page and line for line from the Bodleian copy
of the black-letter edition of 1576. A very few
obvious misprints have been corrected.

THE NOBLE ARTE OF

VENERIE OR HVNTING

Wherein is handled and fet out the Vertues, Nature, and Pro-
perties of fiuetene fundrie Chaces togither, with the order and maner
how to Hunte and kill euery one of them

Tranflated and collected for the pleafure of all Noblemen and Gen-
tlemen, out of the heii approued Authors, which haue written any thing

concerning the fame : ^ni reduced into fuch order and prober termes
as are vfed here, in this noble Realme of England

-^^^ ^ ^f^^ y^f-

The Contcntes whereof fliall more playnely appeare in
the Page next followyng

TUia. VBN.

The contentes of this Booke

FIrfte the Antiquitie of houndes togither with the
fundry fortes of houndes, and theyr feuerall na-
tures and properties.

The beft order how to breede, enter, and make perfed
euery one of the fame.

The vertues, nature, and properties of an Harte, togi-
ther with the perfed order how to hunte him in his
feafon.

The nature and hunting of the Bucke.

The nature and hunting of the Raynedeare.

The nature and hunting of the Rowe,

The nature and hunting of the wilde Goate.

The nature and hunting of the wilde Bore,

The nature and hunting of the Hare.

The nature and hunting of Conies.

The nature and hunting of the Foxe.

The nature and hunting of the Badgerd.

The nature and hunting of the Marterne and wildcat.

The nature and hunting of the Otter.

The nature and hunting of the Wolfe.

The nature and hunting of the Beare.

The cures and medicines for all difeafes in Houndes.

The proper termes of Venerie.

A treatifc of courfmg with Greyhoundes.

The meafures of Blowing.

To the righte noble Sir
Henry Clinton Knight Lord

Clinton and Saye, Mailter of the

Hart Houndes to the Queenes

mofl: excellent Maieftie, long life,

with encreafe of honor to the

pleafure of the Al-

mighcie

Igkt Noble ^ mym efpe-
ciall trufi is that your ho-
\nor will pardon my bold-
\neffe in dedicating this
Booh to your honorable
name. For when I had with fome charge
caufed the fame to be coUeSfed and tran-
Jlated out of fun dry good authorities^ and
thought that it could not but generally de-
light all Noblemen and Gentlemen of
this Realm^ I made alfo diligent fearc he
to knowe what particular perfonage were
meetefl to beprefented with the fame: and
being en formed by my friend ft he Tran-

B X flatorj

Dedicatory

flatorj that the office of the Hart Hounds
ferteyned vnto j/oure Lordjhif^ I thought
it my due tie ^ and was glad that I [houlde
thereby haue iuH occafion to dedicate fo
noble an Arte vnto your honorable name^
mofi humbly befeeching your honor to ac-
cept it in good part^ and to be affured that
whatfoeuer I coulde procure to be written
of this excellent Arte of Venerie or Hunt-
ings either out of Jiraunge Authors^ or by
conference of our countrey Hunt f men ^ is
here in this Booke diligently and fenfibly
declared, I can no more but prefent it with
humble intente^ and befeeche the fa-
ther of Heauen euermore to
blefeyour good Lord/hip
with the fpirite of
hk grace.
Amen,

Your honors mofl
humble. C. B.

5 THE TRANSLATOR

to the Reader

\Might well haue taken occafion
Cgentle Reader J to commend
vnto thee^ both mine own paines
in tranflating and gathering this
wcrke^ the Printers charge and diligence in
procuring and publijhing the fame^ and the
perfection of the thing it f elf ^according to the
fuhieSi and theam^e wherevpon it treateth.
But as touching mine own trauaile^ I wil no-
thing fpeake: fit hence I did vndertake the
fame at requefi of my friend ft he Printer J
who hath fo throughly deferued my paynes^
as Ifiandfully contented: hps diligence^ and
charge^ I thinke not meete to he ouerpafed
with filence: who to his great cofis hath j ought
out afmuche as k written and extant in any
language^ concerning the noble Artes of Ve-
nerie and Falconrie: and to gratifie the No-
bilitie and Gentlemen of this land^ hath dif-

burfed

burfed great fummes for the Copes ^ tranfla-
tions^ figures ^ and imfrefsions of the fame,
I wil not fay that he hath f fared neither En-
glifb^ Frenche^ Latine^ Italian^ nor Dutche
Author tofearch C^ it ^^^^ i^ the bowels of
the fame J an exquifite tradition and met hode
of thofe two Artes. But to conclude mine opi-
nion in few wordes^ he hath Jhewed himfelfe
more difirom C^ ^^^^ example J to pleasure
others ^than to profit himfelfby this enterprife.
And therwithal in hk behalf ^I mufi alledge^
that as the fiudies ofViuinitie^andgraue dif-
courfes are fwithout all comparifonj mofi
commendable ^euen fo yet could he haue tra-
uayledin no one Arte orScienceC them excepted J
which might haue bene more commendable or
necejfary for al Noblemen and Gentlemen :
not only for the delightfulnes therof^ but alfo
bicaufe it k both profitable and godly. For
if fas S?i\omonfayethj all earthly things be
vanities^ then are thofe mofie to be efleemed
which may continew the life of Man in mofi

comfort

ctrier
fdjth no.

comfort and godly quiet ofmynd^ with honeji
recreation. And if it be true C<^ itpsdoutleffej
that pride fwhich is roote of alvices^J doth
increafe byidlenes^ then is thatexercife high^
ly to be commended^ which doth maintaine the
hodyin helth^themynd in honeji meditations^
and yet the subjiance not greatly decaied. For
thefe caufes I haue always allowed and con-
firmed their opinions^ which do more ejieeme
Hunting^ than Hawking, Sit hens we do plain- i^^^e w,
lyperceiue^ that Hunting is mainteined with
much leffer charge. And to return to myfirft
begonpurpofe^ I commend to thycurteon^ con-
fideration C g^ritlereaderjboth mytrauel^and
the Printers charge : affuring thee^ that as
much 06 could conueniently be found out either
in authorities or conference^ is here eypreffed^
for thy better knowledge in Venerie, Take it
in gree^ and be as thankeful vnto the Printer
for his good wil and honeji mening^as he hath
bin vnto me for my Jiudy and trauell herein.
And so farewell :

From my chamber this .xvi. of lune. I J7J.

George Gafcoigne^ in the commen-

dation of the noble Arte

of Venerie

AS God himfelfe declares, the life of man was lent, (fpent.
XTLBicaufe it fhould (with feare of him) in gladfome wife be

And Salomon doth fay, that all the reft is vaine,
Vnlefle that myrth and merie cheere, may follow toile and paine.

If that be fo in deede, what booteth then to buylde
High towers and halles of ftately port, to leaue an vnknown child ?

Or wherefore hoord we heapes of coyne and worldly wealth.
Whiles therwithall that caytif care, comes creeping in by ftelth?

The needie neighbors grudge to fee the rychman thryue,
Such malice worldly mucke doth breede in euery man alyue.

Contention commes by coyne, and care doth contecke few.
And fodeine death by care is caught, all this you know is true.

Since death is then the end, which all men fceke to flye.
And yet are all men well aware, that Man is home to dye^

Why leade not men fuch Hues, in quiet comely wife.
As might with honeft fport and game, their worldly minds fuffife ?

Amongft the reft, that game, which in this booke is taught.
Doth feeme to yeld as much content, as may on earth be fought.

And but my fimple Muze, both myrth and meane miftake.
It is a meane of as much mirth, as any fport can make.

it occupies the mynde, which elfe might chaunce to mufe
On mifchiefe, malice, filth, and fraudes, that mortall men do vfe.

And as for exercife, it feemes to beare the bell,
Since by the fame, mens bodies be, in health mainteyned well.

It exercyfeth ftrength, it exercyfeth wit.
And all the poars and fprites of Man, are exercifde by it.

It fliaketh off" all flouth, it prefteth downe all prydc,
It chcrcs the hart, it glads the eye, and through the ears doth glyde.

1 might at large expreffe how earely huntfmen ryfe.
And leaue the fluggifli fleepe for fuch as leachcrs luft deuyfe.

How true they tread their fteps, in exercifes traine, (ftaine.
Which frisking flings and lightbraind leaps, may feeme always to

Howe

Howe appetite is bred (with health) in homely cates.
While Surfet fits in vaine excefle, and Banquet breeds debates.

How cries of well mouthd hounds, do countcruaile the coft.
Which many a man (beyond his reach) on inftruments hath loft.

How fetting of Relayes, may reprefent the skyll,
Which fouldiours vfe in Embuflies, their furious foes to kyll.

How Foxe and Badgerd both, make patterns (in their denne)
Of "Plot formes^ Loopes^ and Cafamats^ deuifde by warlike men.

How fighting out at Bay, of Hart, Bucke, Goate, or Bore,
Declares the valiant 'Romatns death^ when might may do no more.

How fight of fuch delights, doth fcorne all common fliowes.
Of Enterludes, of Tumblers tricks, of antikes, mocks, and mowes,

And how the nimble Hare, by turning in hir courfe.
Doth plainly proue that FoUide^ fometime furpafleth force.

The Venfon not fiargot, moft meete for Princes dyfhe :
All thefe with more could I rehearfe, as much as wit could wyflie.

But let thefe few fuffice, it is a Noble ^ort^
To recreate the m'tndes of Men^ in good and godly fort.

A J^ort for Koble peeres^ a Jp art for gentle bloods^
The paine I leaue far feruants fuch, as beate the budiie woods,

To make their mafters fport. Then let the Lords reioyce^
Let gentlemen beholde the glee^ and take thereof the choyce.

For my part (being one) I muft needes fay my minde.
That Hunting was ordeyned frfl^ for Men of Noble k'tnde.

And vnto them therefore, I recommend the fame.
As exercife that beft becommes, their worthy noble name.

Tarn Marti c^uam Mercurio.

T.M.

T. M. Q^ in frayfe of this booke

WHo lift to learne, the properties of hounds,
To breede them firft, and then to make them good,
To teach them know, both voice and home, by founds,
To cure them eke, from all that hurts their blood :
Let him but buye this booke : So fliall he finde,
As much as may, (for hounds) content his minde.

Who lift to viewe, what vertues do remaine.
In euery beaft, which Man doth hunt and chafe.
What cures they beare, for many an ache and paine.
What feafons ferue, to finde them beft in cafe :
Within this booke he may the fame finde out.
And fo be well refolvde of euerie doubt.

And to be fliort, as much as Lati»e, Greeke^
Italy anSy French^ High Dutch ^ or En^lijh skilly
Can teach, to Hunt^ to Herbor^ ^o^g^^ orfeeke^
To force ^ to take^ to conquer^ or to kill^
All games of chafe : So much this booke defcries.
In proper termes, as wit can (well) deuife.

Wherefore my Mufc, muft recommend the fame,
As worthy prayfe, and better worth the price,
A pleafant booke, for pceres of noble name,
An honeft booke to recreate the wife :
A Booke well bought, God graunt it fo be folde,
For fure fuch Bookes, are better worth than golde.

Latety quod non patet.

Of the race and Antiquitie of

Hownds, and who firft brought
them into Frauncc

Chapt.

I

IHaue thought good diligently to looke (afwell in the workes
of antiquitie, as alfo in thofe of our tymc) from whence the
tirfte Race of hownds did come into Fraunce, and I neuer found
Chronicle nor Hiftorie that feemeth to fpeake of greater con-
tinuaunce, than one whiche 1 fawe in Bryttaine, wrytten by one
whofe name was lohn of Monmouth an englilh man, the which
doth treate, how after y® piteous and dreadefull dcftrud"ion of
Troy, Aeneas arriued in Italic with his fonne Aj'canlus^ (which
was afterwards king of the Latines) and begatte a fonne named
Siluius^ of whome Brutus defcended, whiche loued hunting ex-
ceedingly,

Nowe it came to pafTe, that Silulus and Brutus beyng one
daye in a Forreft hunting a Harte, they were ouertaken with
night, and feeing the Harte ps-fTe before them almoile fpente
by the Howndes, they went towardes him to kill him. But
fortune was fuche to Brutus^ (as God woulde) that whileft he
meant to kill the Harte, by glauncing of his arrowe he killed
his father Silulus. Whiche thing caufed the people to bee moued,
and to mutine agaynft him, thinking that he had done it of
maUce and defire to reygne, and to haue the gouernement
of the Realme. In fuche forte, that to auoyde their great furie
and indignation, Brutus was conftrayned to go out of the
countrie, and vndcrtooke a voyage into Greece, to delyuer
certayne Troyans, his companions and allycs, whiche were
yet there deteyned in captiuitic fmce the deftru6tion of Troye.
Whiche voyage he accompliflied by force of armes, and when
he had deliuered them, hce alTembled a greate number of the
fame Troyans, whome he caufed to take an othe, that afwell

for

2. The hoohe of Hunting

for the diflionor whiche they had receyued, as alfo for the irre-
cuparable lofTe and damage of their goods, and for the lamen-
tations and dole which they had caufe to make for their kinf-
folkes and friendes, whiche had bin flaine in the cruell warres
of Troye, they fliould neuer returne into their country. Then
did hee caufe to be rygged and trimmed a greate number of
fhippes, wherein he embarked himfelfe and all his men, and
tooke with him a great number of Houndes and Greyhoundes.
Afterwards he fayled fo long till he palTed y* ftrcyghts of Gii-
raltare^ entring into the Ocean Seas, and defcended in the
Ifles of Artnorie^ whiche at this prefent is called Bretaigne in
Fraunce, by reafon of his name whiche was Brutus. Whiche
llandes he conquered without refillaunce, and was therein,
peafably by the fpace of foure yeares, and afterwardes tooke
fhip again, and landed at Totneys^ in y« weft of this noble realme,
whervpon after his conquefts made here ouer certaine giantes,
one of his captaines called Corinem^ did buyld the chiefe town
of Cornwall. But to returne vnto his deedes in Armory^ when
they were fetled, and had inhabited the fayd country, Brutus and
his fonne Tumus^ (which had as before fayde brought greate ftore
of houndes with them) went dayly on hunting in the greate
Forreft, whiche contayned then in length from Tyffauge vnto
Toyt'iers^ wherevpon one parte of the country is called to this
present Gafi'me. Now at that fame time there reygned in Poy-
^ou and Aquitaine^ a king named Groffarius Piiius^ who made
his continuall refidence in PoySfterSy and was one day aduer-
tifed that the Troyans did greatly exercife themfelues in hun-
ting, and that they hunted in his Forreftes with fuche a kinde
of dogges, as after they had once founde a Harte, they neuer
Icfte him tyll they brought him to death. Wherevpon King
Groffarius^ hauing hearde fuche newes, was m.oued and ex-
ceeding angrie, in fuche forte, that hce determined to make
warres with them, and aftembled all his forces. The Troyans
being aducrtifed of fuche an affembly, marched all along
the ryuer of Loyre with all their puyflaunce, and mette their e-

nimies

The boohe of Hunting 3

nimies at a place where the citie of Tours is prefently fituate,
and there they gaue battaile, in the whiche Turmis Cofine to
Brututj or as fome Chronicles faye, Turnus the eldeft fonne
of Brutus was flayne, and in remembraunce of him the fayde
Citie was buylte, and by the name of Turnus was called
Tours.

I haue thought good to recoumpte this hiftorie, that men
may thereby vnderftande, that it is long fmce houndes haue
bin vfed in Bretaigne^ and I thinke certainly, that thefe Troi-
ans were the firft which brought the race of houndes into this
countrie. For I finde no hiilorie whiche maketh mention of
longer continuaunce than that doth, and it is a thing mofte
certaine, that the greateft parte of the races of houndes whiche
are in Fraunce, and other cuntries adioyning, did come from
the countrie of Bretaigne^ excepting the race of white hounds,
the whiche I thinke to be come from Barbary. For being fome-
tymes at Rochell^ I haue enquired of manye Pylottes and
mariners, and amongeft others I enquired of an olde man
named Alfonce^ who had oftentymes bene in the Courte of
a Barbarian King called the Doncherib^ whiche vfed muche
hunting, and principallie in hunting the Raynedeare at
force : and this olde man tolde mee, that all the houndes of
his kennell were whyte, and that all the dogges of that coun-
trie were fuch alfo. And furcly I thinke in deede that y® white
dogges are comme out of the whotte countries, forafmuche
as they gyue not ouer their chace howe hotte fo euer it
bee, whereas other dogges doe not holde out fo in heate.
Fkcebus doeth alfo agree with this opinion, faying, that hee
hath bene in Mauritanye^ otherwife called Barbarie^ where-
as hee hathe feene the Raynedeare kylled at force with
dogges which they call Baux, which gyue not ouer their chace
for any heate that is. Wherevpon myne opinion is, that
the Race of whyte dogges is come of thofe dogges called
Baux of Barbaric^ of the whiche Fhcebus doeth fpeake. I
wyll fette downc none other thing of the Antiquitie of

houndes.

4 The hoohe of Hunting

hoandes, but I will write heereafter of the nature and com-
plexions, as well of white houndes, as of Fallowe, dunne,
and black e, whiche fortes are mofte commodious for Princes
and Gentlemen.

0£ the nature and complexions of whyte

dogges, called Baux, and furnamed

Greffiers. Chap. 2

The boohe of Hunting s

THe white Howndes haue bene brought in eftimation in
Fraunce, by the Lord great Senefchal of Normandie that
was, and before him they were in fmall eftimation, princi-
pally amongft Gentlemen, for afmuche as they ferue not gene-
rally for all chaces, but onely for the Harte. The firft of the race
was called SauyUard^ the which was giuen by a pore Gentleman
to the King Lewes deceafTed, who made no great accoumpt of
him, bycauie he loued the Dunne houndes aboue all other, of
the whiche all his kennell was, and he made none accoumpt of
others, vnlefle it were to make Bloodhoundes. The Senefchall
Gafton beyng prefent with the Gentleman, whiche offred this
Dogge, knowing well that the King loued not the hounde, did
begge him of the King to make a preient vnto the wifeft La-
die of his Realme, and the Kyng afked him who that was, that
is (quod he) Anne of Bourhon your daughter, I agree not with
you (quoth the King) in that you haue named hyr the wyfeft,
but you may fay lefle foo'ifli than others, whereas there is fewe
wife women in the world. Then the King gaue the Dogge
vnto the Senefchall GaBon^ who ledde him not farre before he
was begged of him, for the Lord great Senefchall of Norman-
die did lo importunately craue him, that he was conftrayned to
graunt him, afterwards the Lord great Senefchall gaue the
Hounde in keeping to a hunter called lames of Brese^ and
from that time forwards they beganne to haue bitches lined by
that dogge, and fo to haue a race of them : the next yeare fol-
lowing, the Ladie Anne of Bourbon which loued hunting ex-
ceedingly, vndcrftanding of the beautie and goodnelTe of this
dogge, fent a bitche to be lyned by him two or three times,
whervppon they engcndred fiftene or fixtene dogges, and amongft
the reft fixe that were excellent, called Clerault^ louhard^ Mi-
raud^ Meigrett^ Marteau^ and Hoyfe the good bitche. Sithens
the race did dayly encreafe, as it is at this prefent, although at
the beginning the dogges of that race were not fo ftrong as
they be at this prefent time. For the mightic King Frances did
renfbrce them by a fallow dogge called Myrauld^ the whiche
Monfieur Anybauld the Admyrall did giue him, and afterwardes

the

6 The booke of Hunting

the Queene of Scottes gaue the King a white dogge called
Barraude^ from the which Marconnay Lieutenant of the Chace,
did get his race of dogges, whiche are excellent, and much
ftronger than the reft were, and to fpeake truly, fuch dogges are
moft propre for Princes, and with fuch they ought to be ferued,
for afmuch as they are fayre, gallant hunters, luftie rangers, and
good of fent, whiche giue not ouer their chace for any heate that
is, and are not eafily ouerlaide or broken with throng of the
riders, nor with the noyfe and crie of many men whiche dayly
attende Princes on Hunting, and keepe their chace better without
chaunge than any other kinde of Dogges, and are better to truft
vnto, neuerthelefTe they mufte be accompanied with the horfemen,
and do feare the water a little, efpecially in the winter when it is
colde. 1 will not forget to fet downe what dogges of that race
are befte, for afmuch as in euery litter that one halfe dothe not
proue good, vnderftand then that thofe whiche are all of one
colour, (as all white) are the befte houndes, in lyke maner thofe
whiche are fpotted with redde, the others whiche are marked or
fpotted with blacke or dunne, or a colour like vnto fryfe, are of
fmall vallour, of the whiche fome of them are fubied: to haue their
feete great, fatte and tendre : fometimes nature dothe fo
worke that it maketh fome to come out all blacke, the
whiche happeneth not often, but when it doth hap-
pen they are commonly feene to be good : and
you muft note that the Dogges of that
forte, are not in their chiefe good-
nefle vntill they be three yeares
olde or thereabouts, and
they are much en-
ciined to runne
at tame
beaftes.

Of

The hooke of Hunting

Of Fallow houndes and their
nature. Chap. 3

I

Haue reddc none other thing of the antiquitie of Fallow
houndes, but onely that I haue feene in an olde written
Bookc made by an Hunter, the which maktth mention of
a Lorde of Brytayne called Huett of Na«tes, and the Authour
of that booke did much cftcemc hunting, the which amongil: other
things gaue this blafon to the houndes of that Lords kennell.
Hiiet^ thy Fallovj houvdes 'm forreffes hunte apace ^
A7:d kill at force ^ hart^ k'md^ biick^ doe^foxe^ ^^9) ^''^'^ cuery chace^

TURB, VEN. C ^S

8 The hooke of Hunting

As thou thy f elf e haff eke^ aboue all others prayfe^

To hallow "well in holloiv ivoodes^ "vnto thy houndes alivayes.

AJfo 1 haue feene in a Chronicle in the towne of Lambale,
a chapter which maketh mention that a Lord of the fayde place
with a kennel of fallow and redde howndes, did rowfe a ftagge
in a forrest of the countie of FoiuBieur^ and did hunte and pur-
fue him by the fpace of foure dayes, in fuch forte that the fourth
day he tooke him neare to the citie of Paris. And it is to be
prefumed that the fallow howndes are the auncient howndes of the
Dukes and Lordes of Brytaine, of the which the lord Admirall
d'Anybauld and his predecellburs haue alwayes kepte and main-
teyned the race, the whiche came firft to be common in the
time of the great King Frances father of Hunters. Thefe fallow
houndes be hardie and of good fent, keeping very wel their chace
without chaunge, and are almoft of the fame complexion that
the white houndes are, fauing that they endure not heat fo well,
nor yet the preafe or throng of the prickers and galloppers, but
they are fwifter, more vniuerfall for all chaces, and hotter in
hunting : and if it chance that a beaft do ftray out in the cham-
paigne or the fieldes, they yet do neuer lightly forfake the chacc,
their complexion is ftrong, for they feare neyther the colde nor
the waters, and they runne furely, and are very hardie, they are
fayre hunters, louing commonly the Harte better than any other
kind of chace, and they are more opinionate and harder to be
taught than the whyte howndes, and fo are they able to endure
greater payne and trauayle. The befte that you fliall finde of the
race of thefe Fallow houndes, are thofe whiche haue their heare
moft liuely redde, and fuche as haue a white fpotte in theyr
forehead, or a ring aboute their necke, and likewife thofe whiche
are all altogithcr fallow : but thofe that be lighter yellow, beyng
marked or fpottcd with blacke or dunne, are not greatly to be
cftccmed : thofe whiche are well ioynted and dewclawed are beft
to make bloudhoundcs, and there are fome whiche hauetheir tayles
fliagged like earcs of Come, and those are commonly good and fwift :
and since Princes at thefe dayes haue mingled the races of Fallow
howndes one w* an other, thcrfore they are become muchftronger

and

The hoohe of Hunting p

and better for the hart, the which is the right chace to yeeld plea-
sure vnto Kyngs and Princes. But fuch houndes are not meete
for meane Gentlemen, bycaufe they are commonly but for one
chace : and they paflTe not greatly for the Hare and other fmall
chaces : and agayne, they are muche enclyned to runne at tame
beaftes.

Of the complexion and nature of dunne
Houndes. Chap. 4

C X

Our

lo The booke of Hunting

OVr dunne houndes are fuche as aunciently our Kynges of
Fraunce, and Dukes of Alenco7i did moft efteeme. Tiiey be
common, bicaufe they arefittefor moftchaces, and therefore they
are fittefl- for Gentlemen, for their nature and complexion is
iuche, that they hunt all kynde of chaces which you would haue
them to hunt. The beit of the race are fuch as be dunne on the
backe, hauing their foure quarters redde or tanned, and the
legs of the fame coloure, as it were the coloure of a Hares legs.
Sometimes you fliall fee fome that haue their hayre on the top
of their backes, dunne or almoll blacke, and their legges ftreaked
and flecked with redde and blacke, the which doe commonly
proue excellent, and although there are not many badde dunne
houndes to be feene, yet neuerthelefle, the light dunne, hauing
their legges fallowe after a whytiflie coloure, are feldome fo
ftrong nor fo fwifte as the other are, and Princes can not fo
much delight in them for fundrye caufes. One caufe is, for that
they doe muchefeare the throng of the huntefmen on horfebacke,
and they are troubled with their noyfe, for as muche as they are
hote and of a great courage, and put them felues quickly out of
breath hearing the Crye and noyfe of the hunters. Another
caufe is, that they feare heate, and doe not greatly efteeme a
chace whiche doubleth or turneth before them, but if the chace
holde endlong, you fliall hardely finde better or fwyfter hounds,
although they be verie opinionate harde to beleeuc their huntef-
man, and verie eafily inclyned to chaunge, bycaufe of theyr
hcate and follye, and bycaufe of the great compaflTes which they
caile when they are at defaulte. And aboue all thinges, they
IHcke muche vpon knowledge of their maiftcr, and efpecially
his voyce and his home, and will do for him more than for any
other huntcfman. They haue fuche emulation amongeit them
felues, that they knowe the voyce of their fellowes, and whether
they be lure or not, for if they be babblers and lyers, they
will not lightly foliowe them. They arc houndes of great trauell,
fearing neither colde nor water, and if they fcele a chace to
fynke once before them, and that it beginnc to be fpent once,
then will they ncuer forfake it vntill they haue kylled it. They

which

The hoohe of Hunting Ii

which will take pleafure in them, mufte vfe them in this forte.
At the fyift vncoupling of them, they muft followe and encou-
rage them as temperately as maye be, and with verie little noyfe, for
that they are hote, and doe quickly ouerflioote the tracke or path
of the chace which they vndertake, and therefore the huntef-
• men on horfebacke ought not ouer haftily to followe
them vntill they vndertake it endlong : nor like-
wife ought they not to come ouer haftily vnto
them at a defaulte, and they muft likewife
beware that they crofTe them not,
for fcare leaft they make them
turne backe vpon them,
and fo in this maner
they may take
pleafure in
them.

Of

iz The hoohe of Hunting

Of blacke hounds aunciently come from
Saind: Huberts abbay in Ar-
dene. Chap. 5-

THe houndes which we call Saindt Huberts houndes, are
commonly all blacke, yet neuertheleiTe, their race is fo mingled
at thcfe dayes, that we finde them of all colours. Thcfe are the
hounds which the Abbots of Saindt Hubert haue alwayes kept fome
of their race or kynde, in honour and remembrance of the
Saindt which was a hunter with Saindt Euftace. Wherevpon

we

The hoohe of Hunting 1 3

we may conieiture that (by the grace of God) all good huntf-
men fliall follow them into Paradife. To returne vnto my
former purpofe, this kind of Dogges hath bin disperfed tho-
rough the Countries of Hennault^ Lorayne^ Flanders^ and Bur-
gonye^ they are mighty of body, neuerthelefle, their legges are
lowe and fliort, likewife they are not fwift, although they be
very good of fent, hunting chaces whiche are farre ftraggled,
fearing neyther water nor colde, and do more couet the cha-
ces that fmell, as Foxes, Bore, and fuche like, than other, by-
caufe they finde themfelues neyther of fwiftnefle nor courage
to hunte and kill the chaces that are lighter and fwifter. The
Bloudhoundes of this colour prooue good, efpecially thofe that
are cole blacke, but I make no greate accompte to breede on
them, or to keepe the kinde, and yet I founde once a Booke
whiche a Hunter did dedicate to a Prince of Lorayne^ whiche
feemed to loue Hunting much, wherein was a blafone which
the fame Hunter gaue to his Bloudhound called Soygllard^
which was white.

My name came jirfl from holy Huberts Race^
Soy gl lard my Sire^ a hound of Jtfigilar grace.

Whcrevpon we may prefume that fome of the kind proue
white fometimes, but they are not of the kind of the Grejfyers
or Bauxes which we haue at thefe dayes.

The

14 The hooie of Hunting

The tokens whereby a man may knowe

a good and fayre Hounde

Chapt. 6

A Hound whiche fliould be good and fayre ought to haue
thefe markes following. Firft I wil begin at the head,
tiie whiche ought to be of a mcanc proportion, and is more
to bee efteemed when it is long, than when it is iliort
fnowtcd, the noftrelles ought to be grcate and wide opened,
the eares large, fide, and of a meane thicknefTe, the chine
of the backe compafTe bowed like a Roch, the lillettes

great,

The hoohe of Hunting 15-

great, alfo the haunches great and large, the thigh well truf-
fed, and the hamme ftreight and well compafTed, the tayle
bigge neare the reynes, and the reft flender vnto the very end,
the heare vndemeath the belly hard, the legge bigge, the foale
of the foote drie and formed like a Foxes foote, the clawes
greate : and you fliall note, that feldome fliall you fee fuche
dogges as are fliort truffed, (hauing their hinder parts liigher
than their foreparts) to proue fvvift. Now to declare vnto
you the fignification of thefe marks, you fliall v derftand y*
the open noftrells do betoken a dogge of perfed fent, the ridge
or chine of the backe rochbent, and the hamme ftreight, betoken
fwiftnelTe, the tayle great neare the reynes and long and loofe
towardes the ende, betokeneth good and greate force in the
reynes, and that the dogge is long breathed, the hard
heare vnderneath the belly doeth fignihe that he is
paynefuU, and feareth neyther water nor colde, the
bigge legge, the Foxes foote and the great
clawes, do betoken that the foote of
fuch an hound is not fatte, and that
he is ftrong in all his mem-
bers, and able to en-
dure long without
fur baiting of
himfelfe.

How

i6 The booke of Hunting

Howe a man maye choofe a faire Bitche to beare

whelpes : and the meane to make hir goe proude :

alio the fignes vnder the which file may bell

be lined to bring foorth dogge whelps

which lliall not be fubiedt vnto

difeafes. Chap. 7

IF you would haue faire hounds, you muft firft haue a fayre
Bitch, which is of a good kind, ftrong and well proportio-
ned in all parts, hauing hir ribbes and hir flancks great and

large.

The hooke of Hunting 17

large, the whiche you may make to goe proude in this wyfe.
Take two heads of" Garlike, half )« ftone of a beaft which is
called Castor^ with the iuyce of CrefTeys, and a dozen of the flies
called Canthar'ides^ boyle all thefe together (in a potte holding
a pynte) with Mutton, and giue the pottage two or three tymes
vnto the bytche to drynke, and flie will not fayle to go proude.
And in like manner fliall you make your dogges defirous of the
bytche, (Sec.

Afterwardes, when you fee that your bytche goeth proude,
attende the full of the Moone vntyll it be paffed, and then caufe
hir to be lyned (if it may be, vnder the Sygnes of Germlnl and
Aquarius) for the dogges whiche fliall be engendered vnder
those fignes, fliall not be fubiedl vnto madnefTe, and fliall com-
monly be more dogges than bytches.

Alfo fome fay that there is a Starre named ArBure^ and
that fuche dogges as are whelped or engendered vnder that
Starre, fliall be muche fubiccle vnto madnelTe. In lyke maner
you muft vnderflrand dyuers fecretes, wherof the firlt is : that of
what dogge fo euer a bytche fliall be lyned, the firfl:e time that
flie goeth proude, and at hir firfl: litter, whether it be by Mafbiffe,
Greyhounde, or Hounde, in all hir other lytters whiche flie fliall
haue afterwardes, flie wyll alwayes haue one whelpe whiche
fliall refemble the dogge that firfl: lyned hir. And for that caufe
you ought to haue good regarde that the firll time flie goeth
proude, you caufe hir to be lyned with fome fayre dogge of a
goode kynde, for in all the lytters which flie fliall haue after-
wardes, there will be fome one which will refemble the firfle.
And although now adayes men make fmall account of the firlt
litter, feyng they are of opinion, that the firfl: lytter is much giuen
to become maddc, and are commonly weake and fmall, yet muft
you not faile to lyne your bitch e at the firlt with a fayre hounde,
and of a good kynde, for if flic fliould be lyned with a Mafliff^e
or a curre, the other litters wilhold the fame race, and yet if you
fliould fuffcr hir to flyp without lyning, she wil pyne away, and
with great payne fliall you recoucr hir or make hir fatte againc.

An other iecrttc is, that if yee will haue lyght and hotc

houndes

1 8 The hooke of Hunting

hounds, then ]yne your bytch with a yong dogge : for if (lie be li-
ned with an olde dogge, the whelpes will become more heauie,
and lefTe gallant. And herewithall vnderftand that it is not good
to coole a bytch when flie is proude in the water, for the water
doth congeale . the bloude within the veynes and Arteries,
which may caufe hir to become maungie, or elfe that flie fliall
haue wormes, tormentes, and grypes in hir bellye, and infinite
other difeafes which followe therevpon. When the bytches are
lyned, ajid that they beginne to be fydebellyed, you muft not
leade them on hunting for diuers caufes. One is, bycaufe the for-
ces which they fliall vfe in hunting, do marre and keepe from prof-
pering the little whelpes wMch are in their bellyes. Also that in
leaping ouer the hedges, and running through the woodes, euery
leaft rufli or knocke may make them call: their whelpes, where-
vppon might enfue diuers other euill happes which flioulde be long
to recytc. Then the beft is to let them onely pafle vp and downe
the houfe or court, and neuer locke them vp in their kennell,
bycaufe they be importunate and longing, and therefore you
muft make them pottage once a day at the leaft. Furthermore, if
you would fpaye a bitch, it must be done before (lie haue euer had
litter of whelpes: and in fpaying of hir, itflial not be good to take
away all the rootes or ftrings of the veynes, for it is hard to take
them away without hurting of the reynes, and fo fliall you hyndcr
hir fwyftnefTe euer after : but when fome rootes of thofe veynes
remayne, the bytche fliall be much the ftronger, and more
hardie, and fliall the better endure payne and trauell,
Alfo you muft take good heede that ye fpay
hir not when flie is proud, for then fliall you
put hir in great daungcr of death, but fyf-
tene dayes after (he hath lefte goyng
proude. And when the little
whelpes beginne to take
fliape within hir bel-
lye, then is beft
fpaying of a
bytche.

Of

The hooke of Hunting

O^ the feafons in which it is beft to haue

yong whelpes, and howe you

may beft gouerne them

Chap. 8

ip

T

Here arc certayne Icaions in the which little whelps arc hard
to efcape, or to be brought vppe, efpecially it they be whel-
ped

20 The hoohe of Hunting

ped in the ende of Odober, bycaufe of the Wynter and coJdes
whiche then beginne to reygne, and for that mylke and other
nouritures which are moft meete for them, doe then beginne to
fayle, and therefore it is then verie harde (if they be whelped in
fuch feafon) that they flioulde efcape death, for as muche as the
Winter hath ouertaken them before they haue force to endure
the colde, and though they doe efcape, yet will they be fmall and
weake. Another vnmeete feafon for wheipes is in luly and Au-
guft, bycaufe of the vehement heates, and the flyes, fleas, and
other vermyne which then will torment them. But the beft fea-
fon to haue wheipes is in March, Apryll, and Maye, when the
time is temperate and the heate not ouer greate. Alfo it is
the right time which nature hath appoynted for the breeding ot
all lyuing creatures, as Kyne, Goates, Sheepe, and fuche lyke,
for that is the feafon moft fytte for their nouriture. And feeyng
that wheipes maye be bredde in all feafons, and that many de-
lyght to breede their kynde, and to nouriflie them in what feafon
fo euer they come, I haue thcrfore thought good according to my
fantafie, to gyue vnderlfanding of meanes howe to preferue
them.

Fyrft if they be whelped in Wynter, you fliall take a Bar-
rel] or a Pype well dryed, and knocke out the heade at the one
ende thereof, afterwardes put ftrawe therein, and fet it by a
place where there is ordinarily a good fyre, then turne the open
ende towardes the fyre, to the ende the wheipes may haue the
ayre thereof, and you fliall feede the damme with good pottage
or broth made with Beefe or Mutton.

Then when the wheipes begynne to lappe, you fliall accu-
ftome them alfo vnto pottage, but fuch as haue no falte therein,
bycaufe falte doth make them drye, and caufeth them to become
maungie, vnto the which difeafc they are fubiedt when they are
whelped in winter.

Alio you fliall put in their pottage much Sage and other hote
heai bes : And if peraduenture you fee that their haire do fall, you
fliall then annoynt them with oyle of Walnuts and honny mingled
together, and kcpc them in their tun or pype as cleane as you can,

and

The booke of Hunting 21

and chaunge their ftrawe euery day : and when you perceiue that
they beginne to goe, you fliall haue a net made of strong thread,
Jaced with a thong, and faftned about the Tun or Pypc, euen as
they couer a Swyflers drumme, fo that you may kepe them from
going out, and that other dogs do not byte them, or that they be
troden vpon or marred with mens feete. And you muft make
this pype or tunne in fuch forte that it may be opened when you
will. And as touching other whelpes which are bred in Som-
mer, they muft be put in fome frefhe place whether other dogges
come not ordinarily, and you fliould lay vnder them fome bar-
die or watlyng with ftrawe therevpon, leaft the colde or moyft-
nelTe of the earth doe annoy them : and that ftrawe muft alfo be
often changed. They ought alib to be in fome darke place, by-
caufe the Flyes fliall fo leaft annoy them, and therewithal! it
fliall be alfo good to annoynte them twyce a weeke with oyle
of Nuttes myngled and beaten with Saffron bruzed to pou-
der, for that oyntment doth kyll all fortes of wormes, and re-
comfortes the fkynne and the fynewes of dogges, and keepeth
them from byting of Flyes and Punayfes. And fometyme you
muft alfo annoynte the Bytch in like manner, and put there to
the iuyce of Berne or wylde Crefteys, for feare leaft flie fyll
hir whelpes full of Fleas : and forget not to nouriflie hir
with pottage as is before rehearfed. When the whelpes fliall
be fyftcene dayes olde, you mufte worme them, and eyght
dayes after you may cut off" one ioynte of theyr tayles, in fuche
fourme and manner as 1 will prefcribe hereafter in the treatie
of Receiptes. Afterwardes when they fliall begynne to fee and
to eate, you mufte gyue them good mylke alwayes hote, whe-
ther it be Cowes mylke, Gotes mylke, or Ewes mylke : and
note, that it fliall not be good to wayne them, and put them to
keeping abroadc, vntyll they be two moncthes oldc, and that
for dyucrs caufes. One : bycaufe the longer they talte of theyr
dammcs teate, the more they fliall take of hir complexion and
nature, the which we may fee by experience. For when a Bytch
hath whelpes, let a maftyffe bytch gyue fucke to that one halfe,
and you fliall fynde that they will neucr be fo good as thofe

which

22 The hooke of Hunting

which the damme dyd bring vppe. Another caufe is : that if you
feparate them one from another before they be two monethes
olde at the leaft, they will be chyil and tender, and it will be
ftraunge vnto them by want of their damme which was wont
to keepe them warme.

The iignes and tokens which a man

ought to regarde, in iudging

whether the whelpes will

be good or not

Chap. 9

The hooke of Hunting 25

THE auncient Authours would fay, that a man maye
knowe the bell: whelpes by the dammes teates, and that
fuch as commonly fucked the teates which are nearer the
heart of the damme, are the beft and the ftrongeft, bycaufe the
bloude about that place is moft lyuely and delicate. Others
haue fayde, that they might be knowne by a token which they
haue vnder the throate, whereas there are certayne haires lyke
vnto Hogges bryftles, and that if there be odde haires, it is a
token of goodnefle, and that if there be euen, it is an euill token.
Some other haue taken marke by the hynder legges, by the
dewclawes, for if there be none (faye they) it is a good token,
and if there be but one, it is alfo good, but if there be two, it
is an euill likelyhoode.

Some agayne wyll looke within the mouth of the whelpe,
thinking that fuche as haue the roofe of their mouthe blacke
fhould be good, and fuche as are redde there, fliould not be muche
worth. And if they haue theyr noftrelles wyde and open, it is
a fygne that they fliall be of perfect fent. As to the confideration
of other partes of the bodye, there is no great iudgement, vn-
tyll they be three or foure monethes olde. NeuerthelefTe, I take
them whiche haue long, large, and thicke eares, and the hayre
vnder their belly hard and great, to be the beft, and thofe mxarkes
I haue proued and founde true. Nowe bycauie I haue thereot
fpoken a little before, I will fpeake none other thing therevpon
at tliis prefent.

That it is beft bringing vp of whelpes in

villages in the countrey, and not

in fliambles. Chap. 10

WHen your whelpes be brought vp two monethes vnder
the damme, and that you fee they can feede well, then
fhall it be good to feede them abroad into the Vyllages to keepe
in fome f'ayre place whiche is neare vnto fomc water, and
farrc from any Warren of Coneys, for as much as if they haue
TURB. VEN. D fcarcitie

24 The hoohe of Hunting

fcarcetie of water, and when they come to be of force, they maye
chaunce to be fubied:e vnto madnefTe, bycaufe theyr bloude wyll
become hote and drye, whereas the water woulde haue made it
colder and moyfter, and yet would alfo nouriflie them better :
alfo if they fliould be neare vnto warennes, they might breake
out and be drawne to hunting amyfle after Coneys.

Therefore it Oiall be befte to bryng them vppe abroade wyth
mylke, breade, and all fortes of pottages, and you fliall vnder-
ftande that to bring them vppe in Villages of the countrey, is
muche better than to bryng them vppe in a Butcherie, for as
muche as they are not clofed vppe, and that they maye goe out
when they will to it^Ao.^ and to learne the tracke of a chace. Alfo
bycaufe they are accuftomed vnto the colde, the rayne, and all
euill weather, and are not fo foone fubiecte to runnyng after
tame beaftes, when they are ordinarily bred amongell: them,
on that otherfide, if they be bred in butcheries or fliambles,
the flelhe and bloude they fliould eate, would heate their bodyes
in fuch forte, that when they Ihould become greate, and that they
fliould runne in chace two or three raynve dayes, they woulde
maifounder them felues, and would not fayle to become maun-
gie, and to be fubie6te vnto madnefle, and to runne after tame
beaftes, bycaufe in the Shambles they feede ordinarily on bloud,
and neyther learne to queit nor to hunte any thing at all. To
conclucie, I ncuer fawe dogge come to good perfection (efpeci-
ally to become a good haryer) which was fed and brought vp in
the Shambles.

In what time men ought to withdrawe

their Whelpes from their Nurfle,

and what kynd of bread and

fieih is bell to giue vnto

them. Chap, ii

It

The hooke of Hunting 2^

IT flialbe good to withdraw the whelpe from his nource when
he is tenne moneths olde, and to keepe them all together in
kennell, to the eade they may vnderftand and know one an other.
There is great difference to fee a kennell of houndes nounfhed
togither, and all of one age : and another of houndes gathered
here and there : bicaufe thofe whiche are brought vp togither, do
better vnderftand eche other, and keepe clofer togither in Crie,
than thofe whiche are gathered from fundrie places. When you
haue brought your whelpes to kennell, you mufl hang clogges
or billets of woodde aboute theyr neckes, to teache them to go
coupled, the bread which fliould be giuen them, fliould be a third
parte of wheat, a thirde of Barley or Otes, and a thirde of Rie,
bicaufe beyng fo mixed, it keepeth them frefli and fatte, and hea-
leth or preferueth them from fundrie difeafes, whereas if it were
all Rie it might make them fkoure too much, and if it were all
wheate, it would binde them too much, the whiche would caufe
many difeafes, and therefore it is beft fo to mixe one with an
other. Men mult giue fleflie to their houndes in winter, cfpeci-
ally thofe whiche are leane, and hunte the Haite : but you fliould
not feede haryers with flcdie for diuers confiderations : for if you
do, they will become fleflily, and gyuen to hunte great beaftes
of chace, and will make none accompt of the Hare : and the Hare
alfo doth often conueye hyr felfe amongft the heardcs of tame
beafts, to be thereby ridde of the dogges, and by that meanes the
houndes might chaunce to leaue theyr chace, and to runne after
the tamer beafts. But Buckhoundes and fuch as hunt the Harte
will not fo eafily do it, bicaufe the Eucke or Harte is of greater
fcnt than the Hare, in fuch forte that his fleftic is vnto them more
delicate and more greedely delired than any other. The beft flefli
that you can giue Houndes, and that will befte fet vp a weake
hounde, are horfeflelh, afle and mules fleflic, as for beefe (eyther
oxe or cowes flcflie) and fuche like, the flcflie is vnto them of a
more fourc fublfance. You fliould neuer fufftr your houndes to
feede vpon any flcfli vntill it be flcycd, to the cnde they may haue
no knowledge neither of the bcait, nor of his hcare. I allow and
prayfe pottage made of Mutton, Goates flcflie, and the hcades

D z of

2.6 The hoohe of Hunting

of beeues, for fuch leane houndes as are hariers. And it fliall not
be amifle fometime to mingle therewith fome brimftone, the
whiche may warme them. Hereof I will more amply deuife in
the treatie of receyptes.

How a Kennell ought to be fituate and
trimmed for Houndes. Chap. 12

A Kennell ought to be placed in ibmc orientall parte of a
houfc, where there may be a large courte wel playned, being
fourcfcore paces fquarc, according to the commoditic and abili-
tic of the Lordc whiche oweth it, but the greater and larger that

it

The hoohe of Hunting 2.'^

it is, the better it will be for the Houndes, bicaufe they fliall haue
the greater pleafure to play themfelues, and to f kommer, through
the middeft of it, were meete and good to haue a little chanell of
good fountayne water, neare vnto the whiche you fliall Jay a
great trough of ftone to receyue the courfe of the fayde water,
the whiche trough flialbe a foote and a halfe high, to the end the
houndes may drinke thereat the more eafily, and that trough
mufte be pearced at the one ende, to let out the water, and to
make it cleane when you would. In the higheft place of the
Courte it flialbe good to buylde the kennel] or lodging for the
Houndes, in the whiche you muft haue two chambers, whereof
the one flialbe larger than the other, and in the fame fliould be a
chimney, great and large, to make a fire when neede fliall require.
The gates and windowes of the chamber, muft be fet and fituate
agaynft the rifmg of the Sunne and the South : the chamber
fliould be rayfed three foote higher than the leuell of the ground,
and in the floore you flioulde make two gutters and holes to
the ende the filthinefle and vryne of the Houndes may thereby
auoyde, the walles ought to be well whited, and the plankes
well mortifed and ioyned, and fo fliall fpyders, fleas, punayfes
and fuch like, the lefle breede and remaine therein. You mult al-
wayes Icaue them fome little dore or wicket to go out into the
courte when they would fkommer or eafe themfelues, then mull:
you haue in the cham.ber little bedfteades which flialbe rayfed a
good foote from the ground, and therwithal let euery bedlfeade
haue vndcr it a roller to remoue it where you will when you would
make the place cleane : and againe that when they come from the
chace, and that it were needefull to warme them, you may rolle
them as ncarey® fircasyouwil: alfo thofe bedflrcads mull be coue-
rcd w* hurdcls or plankes pearced, to the end y* when the hounds
do pifle, the vrine may drayne to the ground. You muft alfo haue
anothcrchamberwherintheHunte may withdraw himfelfand keepe
his homes, cowples, and other things ncceflarie. I thought not
needefull to fpcake of fumptuous chambrcs y® which Princes caule
tobemadcfor their hounds, wherin there bcclofcts,ftoucs,andother
magnificences, for afmuch as y* hath fccmcd vnto me, to be more

anoyance

28 The hooke of Hunting

anoyance than profitable for the houndes, for when they are ac-
cuftomed to fuch heates, beyng fo tenderly and delicately hand-
led, and after llialbe brought to fome place where they ilialbe
euill lodged, or if they hunte in the raynie weather, then fliould
they be readie to marfounder themfelues, and fo to become maun-
gie : wherefore I haue alwayes bene of opinion, that when thev
come from the fielde, and that they be moyled, it is fufficient if
they be well chaffed and layed drie, without acculfoming them
to fuche magnificence. And bicaufe fometimes men haue not
commoditie to haue fountaynes or brookes in euery place, it is re-
quifite to make little tubbes of woodde or fome troughes to put
their water in. You muft take heede that you giue them no drinke
in a vefTell of copper or brafife, for thofe two kindes of mettals are
venomous of their nature, and caufe the water whiche commeth
in them to turne and to lUnke, whiche woulde greatly anoy the
houndes. You mufte alfo haue prety little binges or bafkettcs
of woodde to put theyr breade in, the whiche mufte be
broken and cut by fmall gobbets in the fame, by-
caufe fome Dogges are fometimes ficke and
of euill appetite. Alfo there are cer-
tayne howres and times that houndes
will not feede, and therefore
the bafkets fliould not be
emptie at any time,
as we haue fet in
portrayture
before.

Of

The booke of Hunting ap

Oi^ the Huiite, and how he ought to drefle,
gouerne, and attend his dogges
Chap. 13

A Good keeper of Houndes fhould be gratioiis, curteous, and
gentle, louing his dogges of a naturall difpolition, and he
ought to be both well footed and well winded, afvvell to fill his
home as his bottell : the firft thing whiche he ought to do when
he rifeth, is to go fee his Houndes, to make their lodging cleane,
and to dreffethem as the cafefliall require: after he hath foclen-
Ted them, he ought to take his home and soundc three or foure

times

3 o The hooke of Hunting

tymes the call, to the ende he may comforte them and call them
to him : and when he fhall fee them a^l aboute hym, then fliall
he couple them, and in couplyng them he mufte take good heede
that he couple not the Dogges together, fur feare leaft they fight
one with another, and if there be any yong houndes, it flialbe
good to couple them with the olde bitches, to teache them to fol-
lowe : when they are all well coupled, the keeper mufte fill two
great bagges or pockets with fmall bones, and other good mor-
fels, as fiflie, or horfe feete fried, fatte rofte meates, and fuch like,
then he fhall breake all into fmall gobbets into his bagges, and
hang one bagge about his owne necke, and giue another vnto
one of his companions, that done, he muft take two wifpes ot
cleane ftraw and put them vnder his gyrdell, with a little brufh
or dufter to rubbe and dufte his houndes when they fliall come
into the fielde : the other Huntefmen or varlettes whiche flialbe
with him ought to do afmuch. Afterwards euery man flial take
a fayre wande in his hande, and let one go before to call the
houndes vnto him, another fliall come behind which fliall ierke
them forwardes, and if there be two others, they fliall go on eche
fide, and fo all foure togither fliall go leade the houndes through
the greene Corne fieldes and through the medowes, afwell to
feede them, as for to teach them to knowe theyr voyce, making
them to pafTe through the heardes of flieepe and other fuche like
beaftes, to accuftome them, and to make them to know them : and
if there be any dogge that is fo il taught as he would runne at a
flieepe or any fuch tame beaft, you muft couple him with a ramme
^ Ramme. or a ftoutc Shccpe, and with your wande you mufte all to pay
him and beate him a good while, crying and threatening to the
ende that another time he may know the rate of suche as vfe it.
So mufte you alfo vfe to leade your houndes through the wa-
re as, and if they couct to runne after the Conies, you mufte
threaten and chaftice them, bycaufe yong houndes do naturally
loue them. When you hauc thus walked them in the morning,
and that the Sunne bcginneth now to be high, the Hunte muft
go into fome fayre mcdow, and call all his dogges about him,
and then mufte they take their wifpes and bruflics, to bruflie and

dufte

The boohe of Hunting 3 1

dufte their houndes as foftely as may be : for fometimes the
houndes whiche hunte in the woodes and forrefls do pricke them-
felues, and catche thornes or haue fome fcabbes or blifters, (o that
the keepers of Houndes hauing a heauy hande in rubbing and
trimming them, might galde of the fkinne, and rather do hurte
than good. And furdermore it were very euiJl for the hounde to
ItQ^c his haire or his lockes, for afmuche as he isvnceflantly tra-
uayled in Woodes and Forreftes, whereas the ryndes, the water
droppes, and other coldnefife doth fall vpon him continually, and
therefore it may fuffize to rubbe and courrie the hounde three
times in a weeke, but Greyhoundes ought to be rubbed ones
euery day. After all thefe things done, their keepers and Huntf-
men muft teach them to know the Halloiue afwell by the home,
as by the mouth, in this wife.

First one of the Huntefmen mufte take one of the budgettes
full of delicates as beforefayde, and go a crofbow flioote or fur-
der, according as the houndes are yong or wel entred : for if they
be yong, and haue yet neuer bene entred, then the Hallo-we mufte
be made the nearer, and they mufte not be vncoupled bicaufe the
old houndes may leade them to the Halloiv^ but if they haue bene
begonne to be entred, then may they go further off and vncou-
ple them, and then when the Hunte flialbe two good Crofbow
fliotte from his Houndes (the whiche his compaignions muft
in meane whyle holde together) he fliall begin ne to Hallowe,
and to ibunde his Home, and he fhall otherwhyles crie : Hoiv^
HoiUy Howy thats he J thats he^ How^ to a Deare. And Hoiu, Ho-zj,
that that^ or there^ there^ to an Hare, and he fliall neuer ceafe to
crye, to hallowe, and to blowe, vntill his houndes be come vnto
him : when his compaignions fliall hcarehim beginneto hallowe,
they fliall vncoupic their houndes, and crie,/y/? halloiu^ hyke halloiv^
lyft^ lyftj lyft^ then when they are come to the hallow, the Hunte
muite take his bagge of vidtualles, and calfe vnto them all the
delicates, crying and comforting them as the Arte rcquyreth :
then when he fliall fee that they haue almofte done eatyng
of their rewarde, hce fliall gyue figne or token to his com-
panions that they beginne to hallowe, the whiche (hauing not

ftyrrcd

3 2 The hooke of Hunting

ftirred from the place where they vncoupJed theyr dogges, and
hauing another budget or pocket full of delicates and dogges
deynties) fliall beginne to hallow on their fide, and to blow their
homes to make the dogges come vnto them : then he which made
the firft hallow fliall threaten them, and a little beate them with
a wande crying agayne, lyB kalloiVj hyke halloixiy lyft^ lyB^ lyH.
And when the houndes flialbe come vnto them, they mufte re-
warde them with theyr delicates as the other did, and then after
let them couple them vp agayne fayre and gently : for if one do
roughly handle a young hound at the firfte couplyng, he will
not ealily come agayne to the couplyng another time. When
they are coupled vp agayne, they muft leade them to their Ken-
nell, and giue them mcate, leauing alwayes fome bread in their
bafkettes, for fuche as flialbe of faynt appetite, their ftrawe muft
be chaunged three or four times in a weeke at the leaffc, and the
Hunte muft wreath wifpes upon little ftickes, and pricke them
in the grounde to make them pille. It is a thing certayne, that if
To make a you rubbe ouer a wifpe or fuche like thing with Galbanum^ all
'*"""' ^"^'^'^ your houndes will not fayle to come and pifTe agaynft it: and
fiace. ^ '' if perchance there be no fountayne nor brooke within the courte
of your Kennell, then muft you put their water in troughes of
ftone or of woodde as I haue rehearfed before, the whiche mufte
be chanced and refreflied euery day twyce. Also in extreeme
heate, Houndes are oftentimes combred with lice, fleas, and
other vermine and filthie things, and for remedie thereof you
muft waflie them once a weeke in a bath made with hearbes,
as follow eth.

Firft you muft haue a great kettle holding tenne great pots
or fmall buckettes full of water, then take tenne good stalk es of
an hearbe called Veruyne^ and wilde Crejfeyes^ and afmuch of the
leaucs of Sorell^ Marwram^ ^^^^■y ^ofemarle^ and Reijoe^ and lette
them boyle well altogcthers, cafting amongft them twoo hand-
full of Saltc : then when all is well boyled togithers, and that
the hearbes be well confumed therein, you fliall take them from
the fire, and let them coole vntill the water be no more than luke
warme, and therewith waflie and bathe your dogges one after

another

The hoohe of Hunting 3 3

another rubbyng them foftely with your wifpes. And all thefe
thiiigs are bell to be done in great heates, thryfe in a weeke at
the leaffc : alfo fometimes when whelpes are lately brought from
their nources out of the villages, they will dreade the waters
and dare not aduenture to paffe through ryuers, pooles^ &c. To
helpe this the Hunte mufte choofe out warme and hote dayes, in
the whiche aboute nooae, he fliali couple vp all his houndes, and
leade them to the fide of fome riuer or poole, and put of all his
clothes : then shall he take them one after another, and carie them
a good way into the riuer to learne them to fwimme and abyde
the water : when he hath done this two or three times, he fliall fee
that his houndes will not feare the water, nor will make any
difficultie to palTe or fwim.me through the riuers and pondcs.
And in this manner good Huntes fliall vfe their houndes, for it
they obferue all thefe things aboue rehearfcd, it is not poffible
but that theyr houndes flialbe wel entred and ordred. And often-
times it happencth that houndes do hunte and chafe in the rayne
and frost and other greuous weather, or els do enforce themselues
to pafle and fwimme through riuers and pooles, when they do fo,
the Hunt ought to make them a good fire, and to rubbe anddrie
them, and when they be drie he fliould frotte and rubbe their bel-
lies, to take of the dyrte and claye whiche may hang therevpon,
for if they go to kencU wttte and moyled with dyrt, they fliould
be in daunger to marfounder and to become mangie : oftentimes
alfo in running through the hard champayne, or ilonie grounde,
they furbatc and beblilter their fecte, and to helpe that, the Hunt
mull firft waflie theyr feete with water and Salte, then take the
yolkcs of egges and bcatethem wel with vinegre and the iuyceof
an hcarbe growyng vpon the rockcs, and called Moufearc, then
take pitch brufcd to powder and mingle it with twife afmuche
foote, and after put your fayde powder amongfl the egges and
iuyce of hearbs afortfayd, making them all hote togither and al-
wayes llyrring them, and you mull take good heede that you
oucrhcate it not, bicaufe the moyllure might fo beconfumed and
the subllance of the egges woulde waxe harde, which woulde
marrc all, but it flialbe fufficient to heate it vntill it be fomc-

whatj

34 ^^^ hoohe of Hunting

what more than luke warme, and herewithall fliall you rubbe
euery night the feete and foldes betweene the clawes of your
houndes with a linen cloute. I will ftand no longer vpon this
poynt, hoping to fpeake thereof more amply in the treatie ot
receiptes.

How a man fhould enter his yong houndes

to hunte the Harte, and of the quaries

and rewardes that he fhall giue

them. Chap. 14

When

The hooke of Hunting 35-

WHen the Hunte hath taught his houndes to know and
beleeue the hallow, and the found of his home, then
the galloppers, prickers, and huntfmen on horfebacke feyng
their houndes ftrong enough and aboute feuentene or eightene
moneths olde, fliall then beginne to enter and to teach them, and
they fliall haue them a fielde but once a weeke at the mofte, for
feare leaft they fliould marre them, for houndes are neuer fuffi-
ciently knit in their ioyntes and members vntill they be two
yearcs old at the leaft ; and aboue all things whofoeuer would
hunte the Harte at force, muft vnderftand three secretes. The
firft is that he neuer accuftome his houndes to runne a Hinde, nor
giue them any quarrie or rewarde thereof, bycaufe there is differ-
ence betwene the fent of a Harte and a Hynde, as you may fee by
experience that houndes do oftentimes fingle that one from that
other : and yet houndes are offuch nature that the firft beaft which
a man doth enter them at, and that they firft take pleafure in, and
haue bene therewith rewarded, they do alwaies remember it moft,
and thereby you may be fure that if you giue them rewardcs or
bring them to the quarrie of a Hynde, they would defire it more
than the Harte. The fecond fecrete is, that it is not good to enter
yong houndes within a toile, for there a Harte doth nothing but
turnc and caft aboute, fince he cannot runne endlong, when the
houndes are in manner alwayes in fight of him, and iFafterwards
you lliould runne a Harte (with dogges fo entred) at force, and
out of a toyle, and that the Harte tooke endlong, eloygning him
felf from the houndes, they woulde quickly giue him ouer : and
yet there is another thing whiche dothe more hurte vnto fuche
houndes as are entred into a toyle, for if a Harte do turne two
or three times before them, they take afwell the countrie, as the
right tracke, breakyng their courle, and putting themfelues out of
breath, and neither leame to hunte nor to queft, nor to do any
other thing but rayfevp their heads ftill to fee y® Harte. The third
fecrete is that you enter not your houndes, nor beginne to teach
them in the mornyng if you can chufe, for if a man do firfte
accuitome them to the frclhc of the mornyng, if aftcrwardes they
chaunce to Hunte in the hcate of the day, they will quickly

giue

3 6 The hoohe of Hunting

giue ouer, but you may enter them and rewarde them in this
manner. Firfte you ought to haue regarde that the Harte be in
pryme of greace, bycaufe then he cannot fo eafily conuey himfelf
nor eJoygne himfelf before the houndes, as he would do in May
or in Aprillj bicaufe they are heauicr then, and cannot ftand upfo
long, then may you choofe out a Foreft wherein the Relales be of
equall proportion, and for your purpofe, after place al your yong
houndes togither with foure or fine old houndes to enter them.
And then leade them to the furdeft and hikRe/aye^ and caufethe
Harte to be hunted vnto them, with fome good kenell of bounds
whiche may keepe hym from refting or ftaying by the way, to
the ende that when he flialbe ariued and come vnto them, and
waxeth now wearie and almofte fpent, you may then vncouple
your olde Houndes firfte, and when they haue well beaten and
founde the tracke or fent of the Harte, beyng well entred in crie,
you may alfo vncouple your yong houndes, and hallow them in
to the olde houndes, and you mulle haue three good prickers, or
Huntefmen on horfebacke at the leaft, to the ende that if there be
any yong hounde whiche woulde carie or hang behind, beyng
opmionate or mufing and ploddyng by himfelfe, the Horfemen
may beate him well and make him come in to the reft: and you
flull vnderftand that in what place foeuer you kyll the Harte,
you ought to flea his necke, and to rewarde your houndes ther-
with vpon the grafte all hote as it is, for fo it (lialbe muche bet-
ter and more delicate and profitable for your houndes, than
when it is colde : you may alfo rewarde them in another manner.
Take a Harte in nettes or ftalles, and cleane or fplit one of
his forefeete from the twifte of the cleas, vnto the ioynte of the
foote, or els cut off one ofhisfeete or cleas altogither, afterwards
vntang'e him out of the net or ftall and let him go, a quarter of
an hour after, you may bryng all your yong hounds and aftcmble
them togither, then take your Bloudhoundes and with them
finde out the view or Slotte of the Harte or Bucke, and
followe them with your yong Houndes, and when you haue
followed them a Crofiebowe ftioote, you maye then hal-
lowe and blowe for your yong Houndes : that done you

may

The hooke of Hunting 37

may vncouple your yong hound es from the old, that the olde
houndes may firil leade them : and you mufte haue good prickers
and huntefmen on horfebacke in the tayle of them to make them
holde in and clofe. Yet another way to bryng your houndes to
quarrie and to rewarde them, you mull haue foure or fixe huntf-
men that be good and fwifte of foote, for els they may rather
hinder than furder the houndes, and to euery one of thefe yoj
may giue two couple of houndes to leade in liames, and when
the houndes haue vnlodged the Harte, they may go fayre and
foftely, and not weary theyr yong houndes before the crie : then
when they fliall perceyue that the Harte hath runne twoo good
houres, and that he beginneth to finke before the houndes, they
may cafte of theyr yong houndes, but they ought to haue good
regard that they cafte them not of when he is at Baye : efpecial-
ly when his head is full fommed, for in that furie he woulde en-
danger them or kill them. Mine opinion is that the beft entryng of
houndes is at the Hare, for that is their very beft beginning, for
afmuch as thereby they (hall learne all doubles, and turnes, as lyke-
wifc to knowe and to come to the hallowe, and alfo they become
very tendre nofed and perfed:e of fent by accuftoming the beaten
wayes and champaygne Countries, and afterwards when a man
woulde enter or teache them to the Harte, they will quickely forget
and abandone the Hare. Htre mufte be noted that all houndes
ought to be well acquaynted with their prickers or Huntefmen
on Horfebacke which fliall follow them, and there-
fore it is requifite that when the Huntefmen fliall
giue them rewarde, and that they make the
Quarrie, the prickers and Huntefmen on
horfebacke be there prefent to make
much of them, and to fpeake
to them, to the end tnat
they may the bet-
ter vnderftand
and know
them.

The

38

The hooks of Hunting

The Preface pronounced by
the Hart

I Am the Harte^ by Grtokes furnamed fo,
Bicaufe my heade^ doth ivith their tearmes agree.
For Jtately Jhape^ feijoe fuch on earth do go^
So that by right ^ they haue jo termed mee.
Tor Kings delight ^ it feemes I ivas ordeyned
Whofe Huntfmen yet^ purfue me day by day^
In Forefl^ chace^ and Parke^ I am conjirayned
'Before their Houndes^ to •wander many a luay.

Wherefore

The hoohe of Hunting 3P

Wherefore rjjho lysfj to learne the perfeB trade ^
Of Vener'te : and thereijlthall luould kno"d:e^
What properties J aJid vertues nature made^
In me {poore Hart^ oh harmelejfe Hart) to gro'vje.
Let him giue eare^ to skilfull Tryllrams lore^
To Phoebus, Fowylloux and many more.

Of the vertue and properties of the
Harte. Chap. ly

THere is a bone founde in the heart of an Harte, the
which is very medecinable againft the trembling of the
heart, and efpecially for women great with childe.

1. Againe take the pifTell of an Harte and temper it in vinay-
gre the fpace of foure and twentie houres, and afterwards drie
it, then beate it into pouder, and drinke the weight of a Frenche
crowne thereof in Plantine water, and it fhall heale eyther man
or woman of the bloudie fluxe.

3 Likewife take a Hartes head when it is halfe fliotte out, and
is yet bloudie, and cut it in fmall morfelles, and put it in a great
violl or glafTe, then take the iuyce of an hearbe called Tutfome^
and the iuyce of another hearbe called Spanyflie peper or other-
wife Cajfis^ afterwardes you fliall put the iuyce of all thefe
hearbes to the gobbets of the Hartes head, and lute and iTroppe
very clofe your violl or glaflfe, fuffring all thefe drugges to
ftand togither the fpace of two dayes : that done, you fliall dillill
them in a Lymhecke of glafic, and the water that commeth therof
wilbe excellent agaynft all venimcs or poyfons, afwell of the
bitings of Serpents as others.

4, Alfo the Hartes home burnte and beaten into powder
will kyll wormes bothe within the bodie and without, and wil
dryue Scrpentes out of their holes and denncs: the gather-
bagge, or mugwet of a yong Harte when it is in the Hyndes
beilie, is very medicinable alio agaynft the byting of Ser-
pentes.

£ 5 The

TURB. VhN.

40 The hooke of Hunting

5" The marowe or greace of an Harte is very good for the
Goute proceeding of a colde caufe, melting it and rubbyng the
place (where the payne is) therewith. Alfo the Hart firfte taught
vs to finde the herbe called DyStamus^ for when he isftricken with
an arrow or darte, he feeketh out that hearbe and eateth thereof,
the which maketh the darte or arrowe to fall out, and healeth
him immediately.

Oi the Nature and Subtilties of
Hartes. Chap. i6

EHrinirtHH"""'"'"**^''""""""'"'*

The hoohe of Hunting 41

ISodore fayeth that the Harte is right contrarie to the Serpent,
and that when he is olde, decrepyte, and ficke, that hee
goeth to the dennes and caues of Serpentes, and with his noftrels
he puffeth and fbrceth his breath into their holes, in fuche fort,
that by vertue and force therof he conftreyneth the Serpents
to come forth, and being come forth, he kyJleth them with his
foote, and afterwards eateth and deuoureth them. Afterwarde he
goeth to drinke, and fo the venyme fpreadeth through all the
veynes of his body, and when he feeleth the venyme worke, he
runneth to chafe and beate him felfe, immediately he beginneth
to voyde and purge himfelfe, in fuch fort that nothing remayneth
in his belly, comming forth by all the conduites and pores that
nature hath made in him. And by this mean he renueth his force,
and healeth him felfe, cafting his haire.

When the Hartes paflTe the great ryuers or fome arme of the
Sea, to go to Rut in fome He or Foreft, they aflemble them
felues in great heardes, and knowing which of them is ftrongeft
and beft fwimmer, they make him go formoft : and then he
which commeth next him, ftayeth vp his head vpon the backe of
the firft, and the thirde vpon the backe of the feconde, and conse-
quently al the reft do in like maner, euen vnto the laft, to the end
that the one may relieue the other, and when the firft is wearie,
another takcth his place.

Flynie fayeth, that they can endure to fwymme thirtie myles
endwayes, and that he hath feene experience thereof in the He of
Cypres, from whence they go commonly vnto the He of Cylice,
the which is thirtie myles diftant. Yea and he fayeth, that
they haue the vent and fent of the Rut from the one He to the
other. To fpcakc a truth, I haue feene fome hunted in Foreftes
adioyning to the Sea, which haue bene fo fore hunted, that they
launched into the Sea, and haue bene kylled by fyfliermen tenne
myles from the fliore.

The Hart doth maruell and is aftonyed when he heareth one
call or whiftle in his fiih And for proofe, when you fee an Hart
runne before you in the day time, and that he be in the playne,
call after him faying, ware ware, or, take heede, and you lliall

E 1 fee

^i The booke of Hunting

fee him turne backe for doubt of the voyce which he heard. He
loueth to heare Inftrumentes, and affureth him felfe when hee
heareth a Flute or any other fweete noyfe. He heareth verie per-
fectly when his heade and his eares are fet vpright, but when he
holdeth them downe, he heareth not fo well. When he is on foote
and is not afrayde, he maruelleth at all things which he feeth,
and taketh pleafure to gaze at them, as a Carter and his Carte, or
any beaft loden with any thing. Tlynie fayth, that an Hartes age
is knowne by his teeth, by his feete, and by his heade, as I will
declare hereafter in the treatife of Judgement of the Hart. Fur-
thermore he fayth, that the Antlier and croches of a Harte doe
multiply from the iyrft heade that he beareth, vntill he be feauen
yeares olde, and that afterwardes they multiply not but only in
greatnefle, and that alfo according to the reft and good feeding,
or the ftyiring that they fliallhaue. They beare fometimes more
and fometimes fewer croches, and that is the reafon that menne
haue iudged a Hart of tenne, as fomtimes haue bene feene. Fur-
thermore he fayth that the firft heade which an Hart beareth, is
dedicated and giuen to Nature, and that the foure Elements do
euerie of them take therein a portion. Ifodore is of an other opi-
nion faying, that the Hart doth burie and hyde his firft heade in
the earth, in fuche fort that a man fliall hardly finde it. And to
fpeake a truth, I could neuer finde any that were mewed or caft
by their owne accorde, neuerthelelTe I haue feene one that fayde
he had feene them, but therein I report me to that which may be
thought. The Hart hath a propertie, that if he goe to feede in a
yong fpring or Coppes, he goeth firft to feeke the winde, that he
may finde if there be any perfon in the Coppes which may inter-
rupt him. And if any man take a little bough, branch, or leafe,
and pyfte or fpitte vpon it, if he Icaue it in the fpring or Coppes
where the Harte fliould fccde, he will not faylc to finde it out,
and then he will fccde no more in that place. Flytiie fayth, that
when the Hart is forced with houndes, his laft refuge is to come
about houfes vnto a man, vnto whome he had rather yeelde him
felfe than vnto the hounds, hauing knowledge and vnderftanding
what things be mofte contrarie and hatefull vnto him, the

which

The hooke of Hunting 45

which I haue feene by experience, that an Hynd being readie to

calue, hath rather auoyded and eichued the way and place where

dogs did refort, than whereas men were accuftomed to be, as alio

when file would conceyue, flie attendeth vntill the Starre called

ArSiure be rayfed, and caryeth hir calfe eight or nine monethes,

the which are calued in May commonly, although I haue feene

fome fall later, according to the nouriture and age of the Hind.

There are fome Hyndes which haue two Calues at once, and

before llie calueth, flie purgeth hir with the hearbe called Tra-

gonce, and after that (lie hath calued, flie eateth vp the fkynne

wherein the Calfe did lye. Plynie fayth moreouer, that if a man

take the Hynde immediately after flie haue calued, he flioulde

finde a ftone in hir body the which flie hath eaten or fwallowed

to make hir calue with more eafe, the which ftone flioulde be verie

requifite and profitable for women that are with chylde. When the

Hyndes calfe is great,flie teacheth it to runne, and to leape, and the

coaft that it muft keepe to defende it felfe from the houndes. The

Hartes and Hyndes may Hue an hundreth yeres, according

to Tkcebus faying. And wee finde in auncient hyfl:orio-

graphers, that an Harte was taken, hauing a col-

ler about his necke full three hundreth yeares

after the death of Cefar, in which coller

Cafars armes were engraued, and

a mot written, faying, C afar us

me fecit. Wherevpon the

Latin Prouerb came,

which faith, Cer-

uinos amios

viuere.

Of

^ The hooke of Hunting

Of the Rut and vault of Hartes. Chap. 17

■ma

^

HArts do commonly beginne to Vault about the middeft
of September, and their Rut doth continue about two
monethcs, and the older that they be, the hotter they are,
and the better beloued of the Hyndes. The olde Harts go fooner
to Vault than the yong, and they are fo fierce and fo proude, that
vntil they haue accomplyflicd their luft, the yong Harts dare not
come neare them, for if they dojtheybeatc them and dryue them
away. The yong Dccrc haue a marucllous craft and malice,

for

The booke of Hunting 45*

for when they perceiue that the olde Harts are wearie of the Rut
and weakened in force, they runne vppon them, and eyther
hurt or kyll them, caufing them to abandon the Rut, and then
they remayne maifters in their places. Hartes doe muche fo-
ner kyll each other when there is fcarcitie of Hyndes, for if there
be Hyndes plentie, then they feparate them felues one from
another, and hyde them felues in one place or other. It is
a pleafure, to beholde them when they goe to Rutte and
make their vaute. For when they fmell the Hynde, they rayfe
their nofe vp into the ay re, and looke aloft, as though they gaue
thankes to nature which gaue them fo great delight. And if it
be a great Hart, he will turne his heade, and will looke if there be
none other neare to anoy or interrupt him. Then the yong deare
being not able to abyde them, and feing them make fuch counte-
nances, will withdraw them felues from them and runne away.
But if there be any of equall bygncile, they beginne then both of
them to vault, and to fcrape the grounde with their feete, flioc-
king and butting one againft another, in fuch fort, that you fhal
heare their blowes of their hcades a good halfe myle of, fo long,
til he which is mafter do chace away the other. The Hind behol-
ding this paftime, doth ncuer remoue from hir place, then he which
hath the maftrie, will begin to vault, and to bellow, calHng him
felfe with a full leape vpon the Hynde to couer hir, and that
quickly. They are very eafie to be kylled at fuch times, for they
follow the pathes and ways where the Hyndes haue gone, putting
their nofe to the grounde to followe by the fent, and neuer looke
nor vent whether any man be there aboutes which may annoye
them or not. During the time of their Rut they lyue with fmall
fuftenancc, for they fcede onely of fuche things as they fee before
them, and rather regard the tracke of the Hindes. Their chief
meate is the red Muflirome or Todcftoole which helpcth well to
make them pyfle their greace, they are then in fo vehement heate,
that euerie where as they paiTc and finde waters, they tumble and lye
therein, and fometimcs for difpight, they thruft their heades into
the earth, a man may ealily know the olde Hart from the yong,
by hearing him when he belloweth. For the elder they be, the

greater

^6 The hooke of Hunting

greater and more roaring their voyce is. Alfo thereby you may
know if they haue bene chafed and hunted or not, for if they haue
bene hunted or be afrayde of any thing, they put their mouth
againfl: the ground and bellow foftly, and yet with a great voice,
the which the Hartes which are at reft neuer do. For they rayfe
vp their heads bellowing and braying aloude and without dreade.

In what feafon the Hartes mewe and take them
to the thickets. Chap. i8

IN Februarie and Marche, the Hart meweth and cafteth his
head, and commonly the olde Hart much foner than the yong.
But if there be any which haue bene hurt at Rut or by any other
meane, then nature is not fo ftrong in him to helpe him. For
all his fubstance and nouriture can not fuffife to heale him, and
to driue out his head, by reafon of the hurt which he hath. So are
there fome which leefmg their ftones or pyiTels at Rut or other-
wife, do neuer mewe. For you muft underftand that if you geld
an Hart before he haue an heade, he will neuer beare heade. And
on that other fide, if you geld him when he hath his head or ant-
lier, he will neuer caft or mewe it : In lyke maner, if you gelde
him when he hath a veluet head, for it will remayne fo alwayes,
and neyther fraye nor burniflie. This giueth vs to vnderftand,
that there is great vcrtue in the ftones, for through their occafion
oftentimes many men which beare heades of a goodly beame,
do yet neuer mew nor caft them. When the Harts haue mewed
or caft their heades, they beginne then to withdrawe themfelues,
and to betake them to the thicket, hyding them felues in fome
faire place where there is fome good feede and water, vpon the
border of fome fielde, to the endc they may goe to fome peece of
wheate, peafe, or fuchc like luftie feede. And you fliall note, that
yong Harts doe neuer betake them felues vnto the thickets, vn-
till they haue borne their thirde heade, which is in their fourth
yearc, and then they may be iudged Hartes of tennc, but verie
yongly. As alfo the Bores do neuer forfake their routes, vntill

their

The hooke of Hunting 4'7

their thirde yeare, bycaufe they haue not the courage, nor their
tufhes and armes are not yet fufficient to defend them.

After the Hartes haue mewed, they beginne in the monethes
of Marche and Apryll to thruft out their buttones, and as the
Sunne doth ryfe in his circle or courfe, and that their feede doth
increafe and waxe harde, their heades in like manner and their
venyfone do growe and augment, and by the middeft of lune,
their heades will be fomed of as much as they will beare all that
yeare, at leaft if they be in a good corne countrey or where good
feede is, and haue nohinderance nor difquiet, and accordingly as
the feafon of the yeare doth increafe the croppe of the earth, euen
fo will their heades increafe in all refpectes.

What is the caufe that Hartes do hyde

themfelues when they haue

mewed. Chap. 19

HArtes doe hyde them felues when they haue mewed for
diuers reafons. Firft bycaufe they are leane and weake,
by reafon of the wynter paft, hauing no force to defende them
felues. And alfo bicaufe they beginne then to finde feeding, and
then they take their eafe to reftore their flefli and force. Another
reafon is, that they haue loft their weapons of defence, the which
be their heades, and dare not fliewe them felues as well for feare
of other beafts, as alfo for fliame that they haue, to haue loft their
ftrength and beautie. And alfo you dial fee by experience, y*
if (in a corne fielde or pafture where an Hart feedeth after he haue
mewed] there be any Pyes or layes, or fuche byrdes which chatter
at them and difcouer them, they will ftrcight way returne vnto
their thicket, to hyde themfelues for the fliame and feare that they
haue. And you fhall vnderftand they will not leauc their thicket
(vnlefle men do ftyrre and remoue them) vntill the ende of Au-
guft, when they begin to wax hote, and to hunt after the Hynds.
When the Harts that are in coucrt, do percciue that their heades
do begin to dry, (which is about the .xxii. of July) then they dif-
couer themfelues, going vnto the trees to fray their heads, and to
rub of the veluet. And

48

The hoohe of Hunting

And when they haue frayed their heades, they then do burnifh
their heads, fome againfi: cole heapes, some other againftmettall
places, fome in clay and other commodious things and places to
do it in. Some beare red heads, fome blacke, and fome whyte, all
which colourings proceede of nature and of none other thing :
for it fliould be vcrie hard for the dull: or pouder of coles, or any
fuch like thing to giue them coloure. The red heades are com-
monly greater and fayrer than the reft, for they are commonly
fuller of marrowe and lighter : the blacke heades are heauier, and
haue not fo much marowe in them : the white are the very woril
and the worft nourilhcd. All this I haue knowne by experience

of

The hoohe of Hunting . 4P

ofCrofTebowe makers and makers of Harquebufhes, which put
it often in their worke, who haue tolde me that the leaft blacke
heades which come from the Scottes or wylde Irifhe (whereof
men bring great number to Rochell to fell) are muche heauier
than thofe which we haue here in Fraunce, for they haue not (o
much marowe in them, although there is a Foreft in Foi6iou cal-
led the Forest of Mereuajit^ in which the Harts beare fmal black
heades, which haue but little marowe in them, and are almoft like
to them of Irelande. There is another Foreif about foure leagues
from thence called Chyjfay^ in the which the Harts beare heades
cleane contrarie, for tiiey are great, red, and ful of marow, and
are verie light when they are drye. All thefe things I haue thought
good here to alledge, to let you knowe that Harts beare their heades
according to the pafture and feede of the countrey where they are
bred, for the Foreft of -A/^rf//^^? is altogether in Mountaynes,
vales and Caues, whereas theyr feede is drie, leane, and
of fmall fubftance. On that other fide, the Foreft
of Chyjfay^ is in a playne countrey, enuyroned
with all good paliure and corne groundes,
as wheat, peafon, and fuche, where-
vpon they take good nouriture :
which is the caufe that
their heades become
fo fay re and well
fpreade.

Of

so The hoohe of Hunting

Of the coates and coloure oF Harts. Chap.

20

HArtcs are of three fundrye fortes of cotes, that is to
faye, browne, fallowe, and red. And of euerie of thele
coates there proceede two fortes of Hartes. The one are great,
and the other little. Firft of the browne Hartes there be fome
great, long, and fide haired, which beare a verie highheade, redde
of coloure, fayre, and well beamed, which iland vp long before
houndes. For all long fliaped Harts haue longer breath, and are
fwyftcj" of bodye, than the Ihort proportioned are. The other

kinde

The hoohe of Hunting ^i

kinde of browne Hartes are little, thicke fet, and fliort. Whiche
beare commonly a blacke mayne, and become fatter venifon
and more delicate than the others, bycaufe they doe more com-
monly keepe in yong fprings and Coppifes,than in the high woods.
Thele kyndes of Hartes are craftie, hyding them felues, bycaufe
when they are in greace, they doubt to befounde. For as muche
as their bodie wil not indure to fbande long before the hounds :
So make they their feede verie fliort, and beare their heades low
and wyde in funder. And if they be old and feed in good ground,
then are their heades blacke, fayre, and well braunched, and com-
monly paumed at the toppe. The other Hartes which are of a
fallowe coite, do beare their heades high, and whyte of coloure :
Whereof the beames are verie fmall, and the Antliers long,
flender, and yll growne, principally of that fort of fallow which
drawe vpon the whytifli dunne haire. So alfo haue they neither
heart, courage, nor force. But thofe which are of a liuely redde
fallowe, which haue lightly a little blacke or browne lifte vpon
the rydge of their backe, and their legges of the fame coloure,
being long, and fide, thofe be verie Ifrong, bearing fayre
and high heades, well furniflied and beamed, hauing all
the other markes or tokens which I will hereafter
declare. Then the Harts which are of a liuely
redde haire, are commonly yong Hartes.
That fort of coated Hartes, fhould
not greatly reioyce the huntf-
men on horfebacke, by-
caufe they ftande vp
long, and are of
verie good
breath.

Of

5-2,

The hoohe of Hunting

Of the heades and braunches of Harts, and
of their diueriities. Chap. 2 1

HArts beare their heads indiuers forts and maners, fome well
growne, fome other yll growne and worfle fpred, fome other
againe counterfet, and al this according to the age,countrey,feede
and reft that they haue, and you muil note, that they beare not
their firft head which we call broches (in a fallowe Deare pricks)
vntil they enter the fecond yere of their age. In the third yere of
their age, they ought to beare foure, fixe, or eight fmall braunches,
at their fourth yeare they beare eight or tenne, at fiue, tcnne or

twclue.

The hooke of Hunting si

t^velue, at fixe, twelue, fourtene, or fixtene: and at their feuenth
yeare, they beare their heades beamed, branched, and fomed
with as muche as euer they will beare, and do neuer multiplye
therein but onely in greatnefife, and according to the feede and
relt that they fliall haue. After they haue once accomplifhed their
feuenth yeare, they will beare markes on their heades, fometimes
more, and fometimes lefie, although men fliall alwayes knowe
the olde Hartes by thefe tokens which follow.

I Firft when the compafle of the Burre is large and greate,
well pearled, and neare vnto the moyfture of the head.

1 Secondly, when the beame is great, burniflied, and well
pearled, being ftreight and not made crooked by the Antlyers.

5 Thirdly, when the gutters therein are great and deepe.

4 Alfo if the firfte Antlier (which Vkosbm calleth and termeth
Antoiller) is great, long, and neare to the Burre, the Surant-
lier neare vnto the Antlier the which ought a little to enlarge it
felfe fome what more from the beame than the firfte, and yet it
fliould not be to long, and they ought to be both well pearled,
all thefe thinges betoken an olde Harte.

5 Alfo the reft of the branches or homes which are higher, be-
ing well ordered and fet, and wel growne according to the big-
nefTe and proportion of the head, and the croches, palme, or crown
being great and large according to the bygnelTe of the beame,
are tokens of an olde Hart : and if the croches which are fomed
aloft, do double together in the crowne or palme, it is a figne of
a great olde Hart.

6 Alfo when Harts haue their heads large and open, it figni-
fieth that they are olde, rather than when they are crooked and
clofe bowed. And bycaufe many men can not vndcrftande the
names and diucrfities of heades according to the termcs of hun-
ting, I haue thought good heere to caufe them to be portrayed
and fet forth with little explycations, to fpecifie the name of
euerie branch or part, as here vnder is declared.

The thing that beareth the Antlicrs, Royals, and toppes,
ought to be called the beame, and the little clyffcs or ftreakcs
therein arc called gutters.

That

5-4 The hooke of Hunting

That which is about the cruft of the beame is termed pearles,
and that which is about the burre it felfe in fourme of litle pear-
Jes, is called pearles bigger than the reft.

A. This is called the Burre, and that which is about the
Burre, is called pearles.

B. This fyrft is called Antlier.

C. The fccond Surantlier.

D. All the reft which growe afterwardes, vntill you come
to the crowne, palme, or croche, are called Royals and Surroyals.

E. Thefe litle buddes or brochcs which are about the toppc,
are called croches.

This

The hooke of Hunting

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This heade fliould be called a Crowned toppe, bycaule the
crochcs which are placed and growne about the heigth thereof,
are ranged in forme of a Crowne, although there are but fewe
fuche feenc nowe adayes, vnlcire it be in high Almaine, or in
Mofcouic.

TURD. VEN.

This

S6

The hooke of Hunting

This hcade fliould be called a palmed toppe, bycaufe the cro-
ches which growe in the toppe, are formed like vnto a mans
hande, and therefore it is to be called a palme toppe.

All

The hoohe of Hunting

n

ALl heades which beare not aboue three or foure, the croches
XjLbeyng placed alofte all of one heyght in forme of a clufter
of peares or of nuttes, are to be called heades of fo many
croches.

F 2

All

JS

The hooke of Hunting

ALI heades whiche beare twoo in the toppe, or hauing their
x\_crochcs doublyng in maner as thefc are here portrayed, are
to be called forked heades, bycaufe the crochesare planted on the
toppe of the beames lyke vnto forkes.

AU

The boohe of Hunting

S9

ALI heades whiche haue double Burres, or the Antlyers,
^/^Royals, and croches turned downewardes contrarie to the
fafliion of other heades, as you may fee by this prefent portra-
ture, or fuche ]yke other fafliions, are to be called heads onely.

The

Co The hooke of Hunting

The Blazon pronounced by the
Huntfman

I Am the Hutite, ivhiche rathe and earely ryfe^
[My hottell fildCj ivith wine in any ivife)
Twoo draughts I drinke^ to ft ay my fteppes luithall^
For eche foote one^ hicaufe 1 luould not fall.
Then take my Hoiunde^ in Ham me behinde^
The ft ate ly Harte, in fryih or fell to finde^
And whiles I feeke his Jlotte where he hath fedde^
The [weete hyrdes ftng^ to c he are my drowfte hedde.

And

The booke of Hunting 5i

And when my Hounde^ doth fireyne vpon good vent^

I muB confejfe^ the fame dot he me content.

'But when I haue^ my couerts ivalkt aboute^

jind kari?red fafty the H arte for commyng out :

Then I returne^ to make a graue reporte^

Whereas Ifinde^ th' affembly doth reforte.

And lotoe I crouche, before the Lordings all^

Out of my Home J the feiumets lette I fall ^

And other fignes^ and tokens do I tell^

To make them hope, the Harte may like them we//.

Then they commaunde^ that I the wine fJjou/d tafie^

So biddes mine Arte : and fo my throte I bafie^

The dinner done^ I go freightwayes agayne^

Vnto my markes^ andj/jewe my Mafter playne.

Then put my Hounde^ vpon the view to drawe^

And rowfe the Harte ^ out of his /ayre by lawe.

O gamffers all^ a little by your leaue^

Can you fuche ioyes in trijlyng games conceaue ?

Of the knowledge and iudgement which

the Huntefman may take, to know

an old Harte

The iudgement of the Slot. « The iudgement by y « fewmets.

The iudgement of the portes 8 The iudgement by his gate

and entryes. H and walkes.

The iudgement of the Aba- M The iudgement by an Harts

tures and foylles. Q frayingftocks.

The whiche I will declare in Chapiters fol-
lowyng, beginning firft with the iudge-
ment of the Slot or view

The

62. The hooke of Hunting

The iudgement and knowledge by the
Slot of an Harte. Chap. 22

OLd Hartes leaue commonly the blemilhes and tokens which
follow. Firft you muft looke vpon the treading of his foote
which muft be great and long, and marke that if you find to-
gether the footing of two ftagges, of the whiche that one hath a
long Slot, and that other a round, and that they be both in iudge-
ment of one bignefTe, yet the long Slot flialbe iudged for the
greater Harte than the rounde, for without all doubte his bodie
will fjiewe it felf bigger than the other : then muft you looke to

the

The hoohe of Hunting 6i

the heele whiche muft be great and large, and the little clifFe or flit
which is in the midft therof and feparateth the two clawes, muft
be large and wide open, the Icgge great, the bones fliort, thicke,
and not fharpe,the toes round and great : commonly the great olde
Hartes be low ioynted, and do neuer treade double or falfly,
bicaufe the Sinewes whiche hold the ioyntes of their feete and
clawes, are well renfbrced, and do better holde tacke with the
weyght of their bodie, than the yong Hartes do, for their fmewes
and ioyntes are weake, and are not yet come to their force : and
therefore they are not able to iuftayne the weight of their bodies,
in fuche forte that fometimes the foote and the clawes are
forced to tread awry and to double, and thereby you may iudge
them yong Hartes. Furthermore the old Hartes when they
walke, do neuer ouerreache the fbrefoote with the hinderfbote,
but treade (horte of it by foure fingers breadth at the lealt, the
whiche the yong Hartes do not, for in their gate the hinder foote
ouerreacheth the forefoote, lyke vnto a Mule or Hackney whiche
ambleth : hollow footed Hartes (if other fignes be not contra-
rie) may be iudged olde Hartes : they whiche haue an highe
and fofte pace, in places where there are not many ftones, are
iudged thereby to bee ftrong, and that they haue not bene much
runne nor chafed. And here you mufte vnderftand, that there
is greate difference betweene the iudgementes of an hartes Slot,
and of an Hynde : Neuerthelefle when the Hyndes be with
Calfe, a yong hunter might foone be beguyled, bycaufe they
open their clawes wide lyke vnto an Harte, by rcalbn of the
weightineflc of their bodies, and yet the differences are appirant.
For if you marke the heele of an Hynde you fliall perccyue
that there is no Harte of the fecond heade fo yong, which
leaueth not a greater and wyder flotte than flie docth, and
therewithal! the bones will appearc greater alfo; hercwithall,
Hyndes haue commonly thcyr foote long, ftrcyght, and
hollowe, with little fliarpe cuttyng bones, otherwyfe alfo
you may iudge the Hynde by hyr (eede^ bycaufe flice crop-
peth the fprings rounde lyke an Oxe and feedeth greedily : and
contrarily the Harte of tenne dothe take it delicately, breaking

it of

64 The hooke of Hunting

it of endwayes to haue the liquor as fweetely and tenderly as
he may. And here let the Hunter marke one fecrete poynt, which
is : when he is in the woode and Ihall finde the Slotte of an
Harte, let him firfte marke what manner of Slotte or footing it
is, whether it be a worne footing or a fharpe cuttyng foote, then
let him marke the Countrie and Foreft, wherein he is, for he
may iudge in himfelfe whether it be by occafion of the Coun-
trie or not, for afmuche as commonly the Hartes bredde in the
mountaynes and ftonie places, haue their toes and edges or iides
of their feete muche worne : the reafon is, bycaufe in clyming of
the Mountaynes, they ftay onely vpon their toes and edges or
fides of theyr feete, and not vpon the heele, the whiche toes the
Rockes and ftones do weare continually : and fo peraduenture
the Slotte might make it feeme an older Harte than it is. Now
in fandie countries it is contrarie, for there the Hartes do ftay
more vpon their heele than vpon the toes, the reafon is, that
leaning or ftaying their feete vppon the fande, it flieth and flip-
peth away from vnder the toes bycaufe of the weight : for the clawe
whiche is harde, maketh it Hide, and then the Harte is conftrayned
to ftaye himfelfe vpon his heele, whiche maketh it fometimes
to grow the brcder and greater. All thefe tokens are the true
fignifications and markes whereby the Huntfman may
know and perceyue the age of the Harte. I woulde
alfo haue declared willingly to fuche as are
but learners, what the heele, the toe, the
bone, and other things do meane.
But I fee now adayes fo many
which vnderftand all thofe
things, that I holde
my peace for
breuitie.

Of

The booke of Hunting

Of the iudgement and knowledge by the few-

mifhing of a deare, and of the tenne in the

top, and of old harts. Cap. 23

6s

IN the moneths of May and Aprill, men may begin to iudge
an oldc harte by the fumifliing, the which they make in brode
croteys : and if they be great, large, and thicke, it is a figne that
they are hartes of tenne.

In

66 The hoohe of Hunting

In the moneth of lune, and luly they will commonly make
their fumifliyng in great croteys very fofte, and yet neuerthelefTe
there are fome will make them brode vntill it be midde lune.

And from midde July vntill the ende of Auguft they make
theyr fewmifliing altogither formie, great, long, knottie, well
knodde, anoynted, and gilded, letting fall but fewe of them, the
which they fliould let fall fcattered without cleauyng one to
another, and without little prickes at the one ende, and you
mufte marke whether they be very fatte and whether the Harte
haue bene in the corne or not.

And thefe be the markes or tokens by the fewmifliing of an
Harte of tenne, and of old Hartes, although men may be deceyued
oftentimes: for if the Hartes haue had any difturbaunce, or haue
bene hurte, then they make theyr fewmet oftentimes drie, bur-
ned and (liarpe at that one ende, efpecially at fuch time as they
fray theyr heades : but after they haue frayed and burniflied, their
fewmet will lightly returne to the naturall courfe : in fuche cafe
the Huntefman ought well to marke bycaufe the markes to
iudge by are doubtfull. In September and October there is no
longer iudgement to be had bycaufe of the Rut, and you mufte
vnderftand that there is difference betweene the fewmet of the
morning and that of the euenyng, bicaufe the fewmiftiings which
an Harte maketh when he goeth to relief at night, are better
difgefted and moyfter, than thofe which he maketh in the morn-
ing, bycaufe the Harte hath taken his reft all the day, and hath
had time and eafe to make perfedt difgeftion and fewmet, whereas
contrarily it is feene in the fewmifliyng whiche is made in the
morning, bycaufe of the exercife without reft whiche he made in
the night to go feeke his feede.

Of the iudgement of the breache or bea-
ring downe of the Spring or
Boughes. Chap. 24

He Huntefman may take knowledge and iudge of the head
of the Harte by the breach or bearyng downe of the boughes

and

T

The hooke of Hunting 6"]

and branches, all the yeare long, excepting foure moneths, which
are Marche, Aprill, May, and lune, in whiche time they mewe
their heades, and beare their veluet and bloudy heades : and
therfore in that feafon tliere is no greate iudgement to be had :
but when their heads beginne to harden, you may iudge by the
bearing downe or breaking of the braunches and boughes, vntill
they haue mewed agayne, for afmuche as when they enter into
the thickets, they lift vp their heades and feare not to breake and
beare downe the braunches, and thereby the huntefman may take
knowledge : but when the Hartes haue fofte heades or in bloud,
you can take fmall iudgement bycaufe they couche their heades
lowe and flat vpon their backe for feare leail they fhould knocke
them agaynfl the boughes, and fo hurtethem. When the Huntef-
man fliall fee that the Harte hath his heade harde and foomed,
and that iudgement may be giuen by the entries where they go
into the thickets, let him then looke well therevnto, and efpecially
in great fprings, whiche haue not bene felled in eignt or ten yeares
before, and he lliall fee therein by the pathes whiche the Hartes
do make, that the braunches and boughes are bowed and broken
or borne downe on bothe fides, and by marking the bredth of
the layd entrie, he may iudge whether it were a broade open
head or not : and if there be any place of thicke where the Harte
hath rayfed his head vpright altogether, or that he ftayed to bar-
ken (for lightly when they harken, they rayfe theyr heades and let
vp theyr cares) then may the Huntelman finde percafelbme bro-
ken branches, or fome brufed boughes, wherby he may iudge the
length and height of the beame, and the height of the Hartes head.

Of the iudgement of the gate and goyng
of an Harte. Chap, zs

BY the gate and goyng of an Harte the Huntefman may know
if he be great and long and whether he will llande long vp
before his houndcs or not : for all Hartes which haue a long Hep or
pace, will longer ftand vp than they which haue a fliorte lleppe, and
alfo they are fwifter, lighter, and better breathed : also y® Hart which

leaueth

63 The hooke of Hunting

leaueth a great Slotte of his forefoote, dothe neuer ftande long
vp when he is chafed. By thefe tokens the Huntefman may
knowe the force of the Harte, and take the aduantage for his
houndes : and agayne a Harte whiche hath a long foote hath a
greater bodie than they whiche are round footed.

Oi the iudgement of the Abatures and bea-
ting downe of the lowe twigges and
the foyles. Chap. 26

IF you will know whether an Harte be high or not, and like-
wife the greatnefle and thicknefle of his bodie, you muft looke
where he entreth into a thicket amongeft the fearnes and fmall
twigges the whiche he hath ouerftridden, and marke thereby
the heigth of his belly from the ground, whiche you
fliall perceyue by the heigth of the brakes or twigges
whiche he hath borne downe. His greatnefle
is knowen by the fides of the brakes or
twigges where his bodie hath pafled
for it is harde if you finde not
fome drie broken ftickes
or fuche like whereby
you may meafure
his great-
nefle.

The

The hooke of Hunting

The iudgement to be taken by the places
where he frayeth. Cap. 27

5p

Commonly the old Harts do fray their heads vpon the yong
trees which men leaue growing in fprings : and the elder that
an Hart is, the fooner he goeth to fray, and the greater tree he
feeketh to fray vpon, and fuche as he may not bendc with his head :.
and when the Huntfman hath founde his frayingftocke, he muft
marke the heyght where the ende of his croches or paulme hath
reached, and where the braunchcs fliall be broken or brufed : and

therby

'70 The hooke of Hunting

thereby he fhall know and iudge the height of the Hartes heade, and
if he do perceyue that at the higheft of his fraying there be foure
markes brufed at ones and of one height, it is likely that the fame
Harte beareth a crowned toppe, or croched at the leaft. In like
maner if you fee that three antlicrs haue touched three braunches of
one heigth, and two other that haue left their markes fomewhat
lower, it is a token that he beareth a paulmed head. Although thefe
tokens be very obfcure and a man muft haue a good eye that will
take iudgement by the little fmall twigges and leaues, neuer-
thelefTe you fhall fee fometimes that the olde Hartes do
fray vpon fmall trees, as blacke Sallowe and fuch like,
afwel as theyong Hartes, but yong Hartes do
neuer fraye vpon great trees, vnlefTe they
be Hartes of tenne. I wil fland no
' longer hereupon bycaufe there
be other more certaine to-
kens and iudgements
herevnder men-
cioned.

How

The hooke of Hunting 71

How the Huntefman ought to feeke the Harte

in his feeding places according to the

monethes and feafons. Chap. 28

HEre will I giue precepts to all Huntefmen Icadyng their
bloudhoundcs with them in the Forrefts, how they flial go-
ucrne themlelues according to the moneths and feafons, for Hartes
do chaunge theyr manner of feeding eucry moncth, and as the
Sunne rifeth in altitude, and that thereby good pafturage and feedc
encrcafeth, fo make they change of their feede. I will firll begin
at the end of their Ruttc which is in the end of October, follow-
ing orderly from moncth to moneth vntill 1 rcturne about y^
moneth of September. And

TURU. VEN.

7i The hoohe of Hunting

And therfore in the moneth of Nouember you flial feke the hart
in heaths and broomie places, wherof they then delight to crop
the flowers and toppes bycaufe thofe are hotte and of greate
fubitance, the which dothe reftore theyr nature and recomfort
their members, which are fore ouerwearyed with Rutte, and
fometimes alfo they remayne and lye in fuche heathe and
brome, efpecially when the funne is hote.

In december they heard together and withdrawe themfelues to
the Itrengthe of the forrefts to haue harboure from the colde
wmdcs, fnowes, and froftcs, and do feede on the Holme tres,
Elder trees, brambles, and bryers, and fuch other things as they
can then fynde grcenc : and if it Ihow, they feede on the tops of

the

The hoohe of Hunting 73

the mofife, and pill the trees euen as a Goate will doe.

Inlanuarietheyleaue heardingwith rafcal, and accompany them-
felues three or foure hartes togither, withdrawing themfelues in-
to the corners of the forefts, and go to the good winter pafture and
fogge, or to the corn then fproong, as wheat, rie, and fiich other like.

In Februarie and Marche they go to the plumpes and tuftes
of Coleworts, or of HafiU nuts or grene corne, and in medows
to pigwort, woodbynd, birche, and fuch like, wherof they croppe
the toppes. And in thofe two moneths they mewe and caft their
heades, beginning to marke what coaft may be moft commodi-
ous for them to take holde, and to harbour in, vntill their heads
be growen againe, and then they parte eche from other.

In Aprill and May they reft: in their thickets and holds, in the
whiche they remayn all that feafon, and ftirre not much vntil the
beginning of rutte, vnlelTe they be flirred againft their wills, ta-
king their harbour neare vnto fome pretie fprings and couerts,
wherin there is muche yong fiytes, and theiin they will fcede, as
lykewife alfo in peafe, beanes, tares, thetches, lyntelles, and
fuche other Sommer corne as they can fynde neare hande : for
they will not ftraye farre if they fynde anye feede nere to theyr
layre. Some Hartes there be whiche will venture farre to fuch
feede, and wiil goe out therefore but once in two dayes. And
note you well, that fome Harts be fo craftie, that they haue two
layres wherein they harboure : and when they haue bene three
dayes on that one fyde of the forreft, they will take an other har-
borough as long on that other fyde of the forreft. And thefe be
olde hartes which haue bene fore ftirred and put from their feed,
whiche chaunge their lairc, as the wynd chaungcth to haue per-
fect vent as they come out of their thickets what faulte may per-
happes be in their feede.

And you fliall alfo note, that in thefe Moneths of April and
Mayc, they goe not to the foyle, by reafon of the moyfture of the
fpring,^and of the deaw which giueth liquor fufficient.

In lunc, luly, and Auguil they go to the fprings and coppi-
fes, as before, and vnto corn, as wheat, otcs, rie, barley, and fuche
like as they may find (but feldom to rye or barly) and then are they
in their pride of greace. And let men fay what they wil, they go to

G 1 the

'7^ The booke of Hunting

the water, and I haue feene them drinke, but that is more com-
monly at this time than at any other time of the yeare, bycaufe
of their difpofition, and alfo by reafon of the great vehement
heates which take the dewe from the fpryngs, when they nowe
beginne alfo to growe harde. In September and Odober they
leaue their thickets and goe to Rut, and at that time they haue
neyther certaine feede, nor layre, as I haue before declared in the
chapter of Rut.

Howe the huntefman fliould go drawing with
his hound in the Springs. Chap. 2 9

Immedi-p

The hoohe of Hunting 75'

IMmediately after Supper the Huntfman fliou'd go to his ma-
ilers chamber, and if he ferue a king, then let him go to the mai-
ller of the games chamber, to knowe his pleafure in what quar-
ter he determineth to hunt the day following, that he may know
his owne quarter : that done, he may go to bedde, to the ende he
may rife the earlyer in the morning, according to the tyme and
feafon, and according to the place where he muft hunt : then when
he is vp and readie, let him drinke a good draughte, and fetche his
hound to mike him breake his faft a little : And let him not for-
get to fill his bottel with good wine, that done, let him take a lit-
tle vineyger in the palme of his hand, and put it in the nolfrills
of his hounde, for to make him fnuffe, to the ende his fent may be
the perfeder, then let him go to the wood. And if he chaunce by
the way to finde any hare, partriche, or any other beaft or bird that
is fearefull, liuing vpon feedes or pafturage, it is an euill fygne
or prefage that he fliall hauc but euill pailime that day. But it he
fynde any beafte of rauine, liuing vpon praye, as Wolfe, Foxe,
Rauen, and fuche lyke, that is a token of good lucke. He mufte
take good heede that he come not too earely into the fprings and
hewtes where he thinketh that the Harte doth feede and is at re-
liefe. For Harts do go to their layre commonly in the Springs,
yea, and though they were drawne into fome fbrong holde or
thicket, yet if they be olde craftie Deare, they will returne fome-
times to the bordure of the Coppes, to hearken or fpye if there be
any thing to annoy them. And if they chaunce once to vent the
hunteiman or his hounde, they will llraight way diflodge from
thence and goe fome other where, efpccially in the hcate of the
yeare. But when the huntefman perceyueth that it is time to be-
ginnc to bcate, let him put his hounde before him, and bcate the
out fides of the Springs or thickets : and if he finde of an Harte
or Deare that like him, let him marke well whether it be frefhe
or not, and he may knowe as well by the maner of his houndes
drawyng, as alfo by the eye. For if he marke the pathcs and
trackcs where the Harte hathe gone, hce fliall fee oftentimes
the dcawe beaten of, or the foyle freflie, or elfc the grounde

fome-

q6 The hoohe of Hunting

fomewhat broken or printed a frellie, and fuche other tokens, as
he may iudge that the Harte hath gone that way lately, and lette
hym neuer marke the fayings of a meany of dreamers, whyche
fay, that when a man fyndeth copwebbes within the printe of
the Slotte, it is a figne that the Harte is gone long before.
Suche people lliall foone be deceyued : for many tymes the cob-
webbes fall from the fkye, and are not fuche as Spyders make,
but a kind of kell, which as I haue feene of experience of an Hart
palling by me within one hundreth paces, and I haue gone to fee
the flotte ftreight wayes, and before I coulde come at it the cop-
webbes or kelles were fallen vppon it. So is there alfo another
kynde of men whiche marke when the flotte is full of cleere wa-
ter in foft groundes, where an Harte hath palled, and faye that
he is gone long before : but they neuer mark whether the ground
be fubied: vnto moyfbure or not, and yet they may well knowe,
that being fubied: vnto moyfture, then the little fources whyche
pafie by chanels vnfeene in the earth will foone fyll the Slotte
with cleare water : whiche may caufe a Huntefman to be decei-
ued, and therfore let him Jooke weU to it : and alfo let hym not
altogither truft vnto his hounde. For fome houndes will alfo
beguyle their maifter, and efpecially thofe hounds that are quic-
keft of fente : whiche are not befl for the mornings, bicaufe of the
ryndcs and dewes, and then they draw but flowly, making fmal
accompt on theyr queft, as though the game were gone farre be-
fore them : but when the Sunne is well vp, and that the deaw
is cleared, and the fent of the earth is perfed:, then haue they good
fcnt, and doe their dutie well. Then to rcturne to our purpofe,
if the Huntefman fynde of an Harte which liketh him, that hath
palTed that way lately, and if his hound llicke well vpon it, then
let him holdc his hound Ihort, for fcare leall he lapyfe : and again,
in a morning, a hounde fliall drawe better beeing helde fliorte,
than if he were lette at length of the Lyam : And yet fome Hun-
ters will giue them all the Lyam, but they doe not wel. When
he hath well confidered what maner of Hart it may be, and hath
marked euery thing to iudge by, then let him draw tyll he come
to the coucrt where he is gone to : and lette him harboure him

if he

The boohe of Hunting 77

if he can, ftill marking all his tokens as well by the Slot, as by
the entries, foyelles, and fuch like. That done let him plaflie or
brufe downe fmall twigges, feme alofte, and fome bylowe as
the arte requireth, and therewithal! whileft his hounde is hote,
let him beate the outfides, and make his ryngwalkes twyce or
thrice about the woode, one whyle by the great and open wayes,
that he may helpe him lelf by his eye : another whyle through the
thicke and couert, for feare leaft his hounde fliould ouerflioote it,
for he fhall haue better fent alwayes in the couert, than abroad in
the high wayes. And if he finde that the Hart be not gone out of
the ryngwalke, or do doubt that he haue drawne amylTe, then let
him goe to his markes which he plafhed or fhred, and drawe
counter till he maye take vp the fewmet, as well made in the
euenings reliefe as in the morning : and let him marke the place
where he hath fed, and whereon alfo to marke his fubtleties and
craftes, for thereby the huntefmen fliall knowe what he will doe
when he is before the houndes. For if in the morning he haue
made any doublings towardes the water, or elfe in his waye,
then when he beginneth to be fpent before the houndes, all the
faultes, doublings, or fubtleties that he will vfe, fliall be in the
fame places, and like vnto thofe which he hath vfed in the mor-
ning, and thereby the huntefman may take aduauntage both for
his houndes, and for the huntefmen on horfebacke.

And if it chaunce that the huntefmen finde two or three pla-
ces where the Deare hath entred, and as many where he hath
comen out, then mufl: he marke well which entrie feemeth to be
freflieft, and whether the places where he came forth agayne,
were not beaten the fame night. For an Harte doth oftentimes
goe in and out of his harbrough in the night, efpecially if it be a
craftie olde Deare, he will vfe great fubtleties, beating one place
diuers times to and fro. Then if the huntelman can not finde all
his goyngs out, and commings in, nor can well tell which of them
he were bell: to truft vnto, he multe then take his compafiTe and
ryngwalke the greater about the couert, fo as he may therein en-
clofe all his fubtleties, entries, and commings out. And when
he fccth that all is compaffed within his ryngwalke, excepting

oncly

78 The hooke of Hunting

onely one comming in, whereby he might be come from the
fprings or feedes, then muft he let his houndes draw hardly, and
if it be poifible, let him drawe euen to the Hartes layre or har-
bour, for he maye well thinke that thofe pathes or trackes will
bring him to it. And in this manner huntefmen fliould harbour
their Deare, but not as many huntefmen do now adayes. For if
they can not quickly come to the harbour of an Harte, they then
will foyle the gappes, fo to make him harbour, which is often-
times a caufe that they finde nothing in their circuites or walks.
And fome againe do truft altogether in their hound. And when
they finde the Slotte of an Hart, they will onely plaflie or brufe fome
bough at entrie of the thicket, and then go vnder the wind, and if
their houndes do winde any thing, then they neuer call about,
but truft fo vnto their houndes winding of it. Such men
truft more in their hounde, than to their owne
eyes. And me thinkes a good huntefman
fliould neuer greatly efteeme a hounde
which hangeth altogether vpon
winding aloft : for he neuer
putteth his nofe to the
grounde, and therefore
doth oftentimes
begile his
maifter.

How

The hooke of Hunting 7P

How the huntfman fliould feeke in the fprings, or
feede, to finde an hart by the eye. Chap. 30

THe Huntclman ought to looke ouer night in what coafte the
Deare go to feede : and if it be in a fpring, then let him mark
which way he may bcft come in the morning vpon aclearewind.
And alfo let him chofe fome (landing in fome tree on the border
of the fpring, from the which he may behold eafily all things that
feed thcrin. In the morning let him rile two hourcs before day,
and go to the couert, and when he is come neare to the Deares
harbroughes, he Ihould Icauc his hound in ibme houfe, or if he

haue

8o The hooke of Hunting

haue ^ boye with him, he may leaue his hounde with the boye,

and place him fomewiiere that he may quickly finde him againe

if he haue neede of him : then let him go to his tree whiche he

marked ouer night, and let him get vp into it, lookyng into the

fpring, and if he elpie an Harte whiche like him, then lette him

marke what head he beareth, and let him not fturre from thence

untill he fee him go to herbrough. Afterwardes when he feeth

that he is in the thicke, he muft marke the place whereaboutes he

entred, by fome little pretie tree or fuche like thing, that beyng

done he fliall come downe and go fetche his hounde : but here he

fliall marke one fecrete: that he go not aboute to herbor an

Harte an houre at leaft after he fee him go to lay re, bycaufe fom-

times an Harte goeth to layre, at the bordure of the thicket, or

els will come backe thither to harken or fee if any thing there be

whiche might anoy them, as I haue fayde before : and therefore

the Huntefman fliould not go fo foone. And furdermore if

in cafting aboute the couert, he heare eyther Pies, layes, or

fuch birds wondering, then let him withdraw him and Hand

clofe, for that is a token that the Harte is yet on foote, and

then let him flay halfe an houre longer before he make his

ringwalke. And when he hath wel and furely herbored

him, he may go backe to the afTembly and make

reporte thereofj and defcyferthe Hartes head

which he hath feene, with all other good

markes and tokens. And if he haue

taken vp any of the fewmet,

he fhoulde put them in

his home and bryng

them alfo to the

aflembly.

How

The hoohe of Hunting 8

How the Huntfman fliould go to feeke an Harte

in fmall groues or hewts, beyng priuily en-

clofed within the greater Iprings in the

Forefts and ftrong couerts. Cha. 3 1

OFtentimcs the craftie Deare whiche haue bene in times paft
runne and chafed with houndes, do kccpelong time clofe and
come not out of the ftrong holdcs and thickcttcs, and fecde in fmall
priuic groues and hewts, whiche haue bene lately felled within
the greater couerts : and thus they do moft commonly in May and

lune.

8i The hoohe of Hunting

lune rather than in any other feafon of the yeare : for afmuchas
in thofe monethes they go not much to the water, but content
themfelues with the moyfbure of the dewe and the earth, the wliich
fuffizeth them : but in luly and Auguft when the wood harden-
eth, and the heate is vehement, then they muile needes difcouer
themfelues and come out of their holdes to go vnto the water.
Neuerthelelle, in what feafon foeuer it be, they cannot hide them-
felues aboue foure dayes, but that they mufte come out of the
thickets, and that for fundrie caufes: whereof one is, that they will
go to fee where other Deare do lie, by whom they hope to finde
fafegarde: for if they fliould be hunted they woulde flee among
them for change, that fo the houades might be deceyued : or els
fometimes they come fborth to go to their feede. NeuerthelelTe
when they do fo, they retire into their holdes two or three houres
before day. To preuent fuch craflie and fubtile Deare, the Huntf-
man muft vfe this manner : Firft when he is in a fayre thickeor
couert at the ende of a Forreft, and chanceth to finde the flotteof
an Harte, beyng old trodden, as a day or two before, and that the
grounde is much broken with fuch old trackes, then he muft caft
and beate all the outfides : and if perchaunce he neither finde him
to haue gone out nor in, either lately, or of old, then may he well
thinke that he goeth not out, and that he hideth and concealeth
himfelf within the thickes: then let him get him vnder y® wind,
and let him go into the thickes, holding his hounde fliorte, creep-
ing as fecretely as he can : and if he perceyue that his hounde
haue any thing in winde, and that by his countenance and gefture
it fliould be like that he is not farre from the Harte, then let him
withdrawe and retyre himfelf for feare Jeaft he rowze him, and
let him go in at fome other fide of the woodde where it is not fo
thicke : then if he chance to finde any little hewtes or fpringes
priuily copfcd within the thicke, where the Harte may feede by
night, he may fearch it fayre and well, and take vpthe fewmifli-
yngs which he findeth. But here mufte you note one thing, that
is, that he may not go into fuche places, vntill it be nine of the
clocke in the mornyng, bicaufe fuch Hartes do fometimes take
herbrough or layre within thofe little CopifTes, to enioy the com-

forte

The hooke of Hunting 8 3

forte of the Sunne, and about nine of the clocke they withdraw
themfelues to the fliadowe for two principall realbns, whereof
that one is for feare of the Flies and Horieflies, whiche woulde
torment him, if he were abrode : the other, for to auoyde the vehe-
ment heate of the Sunne whiche would be at none dayes. And
the Huntefman mu:l take good heede that he enter not ouer fail
into the thicke, for that fuch Hartes do fometimes take layre very
neare thofe priuie coppyfes, bicaufe they are neyther feared nor
ftyrred. But it fuffifeth for them if they be only in couert. And alfo
in fuch fprings, they come out to fecde immediately after fixe of
the clocke in the euening : and therefore let the Huntefman be
content to haue feene the Slotte freflie and to haue taken vp the
fewmifliing : and afterwards let him retyre himfelf as fecretely
as he can, and neuer tarie to fee or marke the entries, butcarrie
his hounde in his armes with him. And when he is farre inough
from thence, lette him counterfayte the Shepherd, or whiftle in
fome pipe, leafb the Harte haue gotten him in the winde and fo
rowze, for if he fmg or whillle, he fliall enbolden him againe.
Afterwards he may reft half an houre or more in fome place by, to
the ende that the Harte may be the better afiTured, and then let him
cafte about and make his ring. And if perchance he cannot finde
any fewmifliing, and that the place be fo thicke of gralTe that he
cannot well fee the Slotte, then let him kneele downe, hau-
ing his hounde behinde him, lookyng vppon the foyles
and trackes in the leauts and grade, and if they
be well ftreyned lette him clappe his hande
vpon the Slotte, and if he finde that it
be foure fingers broade, then may he
iudge him an Harte of tenne by
the foyles : but if it be but
three fingers broade,
he fliall iudge
it a yong
Harte.

How

84 The hoohe of Hunting

How the Huntefman lliould feeke an Harte
in his feedes. Chap. 3 2

HEre you mull: vnderftand that there is difference betweene
fprings or coppiles, and other feeding places, for we call all
paitures, fieldes, or gardens wherein all fortes of corne and pot-
hearbes do grow, feedings: and when an Harte doth go to feede
in fuch, we fay that he hath bene at his fcede : then the Huntef-
man muffc be ftyrring carely to go feeke the Harte in fuche
places, for afmuch as the good people of the villages whiche are
aboute fuche places do rile by the breake of day, to turne their

cattell

The hoohe of Hunting 8 j*

cattel] on field. And therfore the Harts withdraw themfelues be-
times into theyr thickes : and alfo the Kine, Gotes, Sheepe, and
fuche beafts will breake the flotte or view where the Harte fliall
haue pafTed : the which would be an occafion that the Huntefman
could not perceiue it, neyther yet his hounde could haue fent
therof : and therefore let him in fuch place be ftirryng very earely.

How a huntefman fliall go to find out an Harte
againe, when he hath bene hunted and loft
the night before. Chap. 3 3

It

85 The booke of Hunting

IT happeneth very often that men fayle of kUlyng the Harte at
force diuers kindes of wayes: fometimes by occafion of y« great
heate, or that they be ouertaken with night, and many other
kindes of wayes which fliould be tedious to rehearfe : when fuch
chance happeneth, you fliall thus do. Firft they which follow the
houndes fhall cafte a marke at the lafl pathe or way where they
fliall fortune to leaue the chafe : that they may thither returne to
feeke him on the morrow by the breake of the day with the bloud-
hounde and the houndes of the kenell behind them : for when there
is occafion to feeke an Harte agayne, you mufte not tarie for re-
porte nor afTemblie: bycaufe it is vncertayne if the chace will
long continue, nor into what coaft he fliould be gone : and there-
withall that Hartes which haue bene hunted, do moft commonly
runne endwayes as farre as they haue force : and then if they finde
any water or foyle, they do ftay long time therein : and do fo
ftiffen theyr ioyntes therewith that at theyr commyng out, they
cannot go farre nor ftande vp long, and then aifo they are con-
ftrayned to take harbour in any place that they may finde, fo
as they may be in couert, and feede as they lie, of fuch things as
they may finde about them. When the Huntefmen flial be come
vnto the place where they lefte markes ouer night, they flioulde
parte in Hinder : and he whiche hath the bell hounde and mofte
tender nofed, fliould vndertake to drawe with him endwayes in
the trackes and wayes where he feeth mofte lykelyhoode, holding
his hounde fliorte, and yet neuer fearyng to make him lappifeor
call on : the other Huntefmen ought to take them to the outfides
of the coucrtes alongft by the mofte commodious places for them
to marke, and for theyr houndes to vent in : and if any of them
chance to finde where he hath lept or gone, he fliall put his hounde
to it whoupyng twyce, or blowyng two motts with his home,
to call in his fellowes and to ciufe the rcfte of the kenell to ap-
proche. The reft hauyng heard him, fliall ftrcight wayes go to
him, and lookealtogither whether it be the Hart which they feeke:
and if it be, then fliall they put therevnto the hounde whiche befte
defireth to drawe or to fticke there, and the refte fliall parte euery
man a fundrie waye to the outfides and fkirtcs of the couert :

and

The booke of Hunting 87

and if they finde where he hath gone in to fome likely couert or

groue, then fhall they drawe theyr houndes neare vnto them, and

beate erode through it: And if there they renew their Slotte or

view, let them firft well confider it whether it be the right or not:

but if he which draweth do perceyuethat it is right, let him blow

twoo motes to call his companions, and to aduertiie the horfemen

that they take heede, bycaufe his hounde dothe make it out better

and better : and if he chaunce to rowze him, or that he find fiue or

fixe layres togither one after another, ]et him not thinke it Ifrange :

for Hartes whiche haue bene ruane and fpent, do oftentimes

make many layres togither : bycaufe they cannot well

Hand on foote to feede, but feede lying: and many

yong Hunters whiche vnderffand not the caufe

are oftentimes beguyled : for when they

finde fo many layres, they thinke

it fliould be fome hearde of

deare, that haue lyen there:

and therefore they

ought to looke

well aboute

them.

TURB. VEN.

How

88 The hoohe of Hunting

How a Huntefman may feeke in the
highe woods. Chap. 34

WHen a Huntefman Hull feeke for a Harte in an highe
woode, let him firft haue refpedt to two things, that is,
the feafon and the thickes or other couerts of the Forreft. For it
it be in the hcateof the ycare, thefehorfeflies, gnattes, andfuche
lykc, will driue the Deare out of the high woodc : and then they
difperfe thcmfclues into little thickets or groues which are neare
vnto good feede. There are Forreftes of fundrie fortes : fome be

ftrong

The hoohe of Hunting 8p

ftrong of holts of Holme trees. Some other haue thicke tuftes
of white thorne. And fome are enuyroned with fprings and cop-
pyfes. Wherefore the huntefman muft be gouerned according to
the couerts which he findeth. For fomewhiles Hartes doe lye in the
tuftes of white Thorne, vnder Ibme iitletree in maner wide open.
Sometimes vnder the great trees in the high woodes. And fome-
times in the borders or fkyrtes of the Forreil, in fome little groues
or Coppyfes. And therfore in fuch great couertes or highe woodes,
a huntefman muft make his ringwalke great or little, according
to the holdes. For if a man driue anHarte into the high wood,
it will be harde to harbor him or to come neare him. And
therefore if the huntefman do well, he fliall neuer make
report of a Stagge or Hart harbored in fuch places.
But I will fpeake no more of high woodes, for
me thinks men take fuch order for high
woodes nowe adayes, that before
many yeres paife, a huntef-
man fliall not be com-
bered with feeking
or harboring an
Hart in highe
woodes.

H r Of

90

The hooke of Hunting

Of the place where and howe an ailembly fhould

be made, in the prefence of a Prince, or fome

honorable perfon

The hoohe of Hunting ^i

WHo lift (by me) to Jearne, AfTembly for to make^
For Keyfar, Kyng, or comely Queene,for Lord or Ladies fake:

Or where, and in what fort it fliould prepared be,
Marke well my wordes, and thanke me then, for thankes I craue in fee.

The place iliould firft be pight, on pleafant gladfome greene,
Yet vnder fliade of ftately trees, where little funne is feene :

And neare fome fountaine fpring, whofe chryftall running ftreames.
May heipe to coole the parching heate, ycaught by Vkcebus beames.

The place appoynted thus, it neyther fliall be clad.
With Arras nor with Tapyilry, fuch paltrie were too bad :

Ne yet thofe hote perfumes, whereof proude Courtes do fmell,
May once prefume in fuch a place, or Paradife to dwell.

Away with fayned frefli, as broken boughes or leaucs.
Away, away, with forced flowers, ygathred from their greaucs :

This place muft of it felfe, afforde fuch fwecte delight,
And eke fuch fliewe, as better may content the greedie light :

Where fundry forts of hewes, which growe vpon the ground.
May feeme (indeede) fuch Tapyftry, as we (by arte) haue found.

Where frefli and fragrant flowers, may fkorne the courtiers coft.
Which daubes himfelfe with Syuct, Mufke, and many an oyntment loft.

Where fvveeteft fmging byrdes, may make fuch melodye.
As Tan^ nor yet ApoUos arte, can founde fuch harmonye.

Where breath ot wefterne windes, may calmely yeld content.
Where cafcments neede not opened be, where ayre is neuer pent.

Where fliade may ferue for fliryne, and yet the Sunne at hande.
Where beautie neede not quake for colde, ne yet with Sunne be tande.

In fine and to conclude, where plcafure dwels at large.
Which Princes fceke in Pallaces, with payne and coftly charge.

Then fuch a place once founde, the Butler firft appeares,
He fliall be formoft dodtor there, and ftande before his pearcs:

And with him fliall he bring, (if company be great)
Some wagons, cartes, fome Mules or iadcs yladen till they fweate,

With many a medcinc made for common queynt difeafes,
Asthirftie throates, and typpling tongs, whome B^rc/-«/pype appcafes.

Theic little pinching pots, which Pothccarics vfe.
Are all too fine, fye fye on fuch, they make men but to mufe.

My

p2 The hooke of Hunting

^M.y Dodor brings his drugs, to counterpaife all quarrels.
In Kilderkins and Fyrkins full, in Bottles and in Barrels.

And yet therein he brings, (I would you wift it well,)
No rotten drammes, but noble wioe, which makes mens hearts to fwell,

^And downe he doth difmount, his things for to addrefle,
His flagons in the fountaine faire, are placed more and lefle.

Or if fuch fountaines fayle, my Dodtor hath the fkyll.
With fande and Campher for to coole, his potions at his will.

That doone : he fpreades his cloth, vpon the gralTye banke.
And fcts to fhewe his deintie drinkes, to winne his Princes thanke.

Then commes the captaine Cooke, with many a warlike wight.
Which armor bring and weapons both, with hunger for to fight.

Yea fome alfo fet forth, vpon a manly mynde.
To make fome meanes, a quarrell with, my Dodor for to fynde.

For whiles colde loynes of Veale, colde Capon, Beefe and Goofe,
With Pygeon pyes, and Mutton colde, are fet on hunger loofe.

And make the forlorne hope, in doubt to fcape full hard.
Then come to giue a charge in flanke (elfe all the marte were marde,)

Firlt Neates tongs poudred well, and Gambones of the Hogge,
Then Saulfages and fauery knackes, to fet mens myndes on gogge.

And whiles they fkyrmifli thus, with fierce and furious fight.
My Doctor clearkly turnes the Tappe, and goeth beyond them quite.

For when they be fo trapt, enclofed round about,
^o boote preuayles, but drinke like men, for that muft helpe them out.

Then King or comely Queene, then Lorde and Lady looke.
To fee which fide will beart- the bell, the Butler or the Cooke.

At lalt the Cooke takes flight, but Butlers ftill abyde.
And found their Drummes and make rctreate, with bottles by their fydc.

Herewith to ftint all ftryfe, the huntfmen come in hafl:.
They lycence craue of King or Queene, to fee their battel plaft.

Which grauntcd and obtaynde, they ftt on fuch as lyue.
And fiercely fight, till both be forft, all armour vp to giue.

And home they go difpoylde, like fimple fakelefle men.
No remcdic but trudge apace, they hauc no weapons then.

The field thus fought and done, the huntfmen come agayne.
Of whome fome one vpon his knee, ihall tell the Prince tull playne.

This

The hooke of Hunting gi

This little leflbn here, which followeth next in place,
Forgiue me (Queene) which am to bold, to fpeak vnto yo' grace.

MY Liege forgiue the boldnefle of your man.
Which comes to fpeake before your grace him call :
My fkyll is fmall, yet muft I as 1 can,
Prefume to preach, before thefe Barons all,
And tell a tale, which may fuch mynds appall
As palle their dayes in flouthfuU idleneffe.
The fyrft foule nourfe to worldly wickednefTe.

Since golden time, (my liege) doth neuer flay.
But fleeth ftill about with reftlefle wyngs.
Why doth your grace, let time then fteale away.
Which is more worth, than all your worldly things ?
Beleeue me (liege) beleeue me Queenes and Kyngs,
One only houre (once loft) yeldes more anoy,
Than twentie dayes can cure with myrth and ioy.

And fmce your grace determinde by decree.
To hunt this day, and recreate your mynde.
Why fyt you thus and lofe the game and glee
Which you might heare ? why ringeth not the winde,
With homes and houndes, according to their kynde ?
Why fit you thus (my licgc) and neuer call.
Our houndes nor vs, to make you fport withall ?

Perchance the fight, which fodenly you faw,
Erewhyles betweenc, thefe ouerbragging bluddes,
Amafde your mynde, and for a whyle did draw
Your noble eyes, to fettle on fuch iuddes.
But pecrclefTc Prince, the moyfture of fuch muddes,
Is much too grofTc and homely for your grace.
Behold them not, their plcafurcs be but bafe.

Behold vs here, your true and trufUe men,

Your

P4 The hooke of Hunting

Your huntes, your hyndes, your fwaynes at all afTayes,
Which ouerthrow them, (being three to tenne)
And now are preft, with bloudhounds and relayes.
With houndes of crye, and houndes well worthy prayfe,
To rowze, to runne, to hunt and hale to death.
As great a Hart as euer yet bare breath.

This may be feene, (a Princes fport in deede)
And this your grace fliall fee when pleafeth you :
So that vcutfafe, (O noble Qu^eene) with fpeede,
To mount on horle, that others may enfue,
Vntill this Hart be rowzde and brought to view.
Then if you finde, that I haue fpoke amyile,
Corred: me Queene: (till then) forgiue me this.

Afterwardes when all the huntfmen be come together, they
fliall make their fundry reports, and prefent their fewmyfhings
vnto the Prince or mafter of the game in field, one after another,
euery man rehearfmg what he hath feene. And when the Prince
or other chiefe hath hard them and feene their fewmilliings, he or
file may then chofe which of the Hartes he will hunt, and which
he or file thinkes moft likely to make him or hir beft fport. And
telling his or hir minde to him that harbored the Hart, the fame
huntfman fliall go backe to his blemiflies immediately. But for
the better declaration and liuely exprefling of all thefe things, I
haue here fct in portrayture as well an aflembly, as alfo the pre-
fenting of a report made by a huntfman to a Prince vpon fight
of Slot, view, entrie, portes, abatures, fewmifliings, and fuch
other tokens. For the better encoura2;ins of fuche huntefmen
as paincfully do rife earely and late, to make their Lorde and
Mafter paftime, I haue fet it downe in fuche termes as I can,
dcfiring all Mafters of Venerie and olde huntefmen, to beare
with my boldncfife in vttering of my fimple knowledge.

The

The hoohe of Hunting S)S

The report of a Huntefman vpon the fight of
an Hart, in pride of greace. Chap. 3 6

B]

p6 The hooke of Hunting

lEfore the Queene, I come report to make
►Then hufht and peace, for noble TryBrams fake,
trom out my home, my fewmets fyrft I drawe.
And them prefent, on leaues, by hunters lawe :
And thus I fay : my liege, behold and fee
An Hart of tenne, I hope he harbord bee.
For if you marke his fewmets euery poynt,
You fliall them finde, long, round, and well armoynt,
Knottie and great, withouten prickes or cares.
The moyftneffe fhewes, what venyfone he beares.

Then if my Prince, demaund what head he beare,

I anfwere thus, with fober words and cheare :

My liege I went, this morning on my queft.

My hound did fticke, and feemde to vent fome beaft.

I held him fliort, and drawing after him,

I might behold, the Hart was feeding trym.

His head was high, and large in each degree.

Well palmed eke, and feemd full found to be.

Of colour broune, he beareth eight and tenne.

Of flately heigth, and long he feemed then.

His beame feemd great, in good proportion led.
Well burrde and round, well pearled, neare his head.
He feemed fayre, tweene blacke and berrie brounde
He feemes well i&A^ by all the fignes I found.
For when I had, well marked him with eye,
I ilept afide, to watch where he would lye.
And when I fo had wayted full an houre,
That he might be, at layre and in his boure,
I caft about, to harbour him full fure.
My hound (by fcnt) did me thereof alTure.
Entring the thicke, thefe fewmets did I spy.
Which I tookc vp, and layd my markes thereby.
In priuie pathes 1 walkt, and (creeping throw)
1 found the Slot, of other Harts ynow.

Both

The booke of Hunting P7

Both yong and olde, I founde of euery fyfe.
But as for him, I hope that ftill he lyes :
So that your grace (by likelyhoode) may him finde.
He harbord is, according to my mynde.

Then if flie afke, what Slot or view I found,

I fay, the Slot, or view, was long on ground,

The toes were great, the ioyntbones round and fliort.

The fliinne bones large, the dewclawes clofe in port :

Short ioynted was he, hollow footed eke,

An Hart to hunt, as any man can feeke.

Of the words and termes of hunting, which

the huntfman ought to vnderftand when he

(hall make his reportes, and when he

flial fpeake before good mailers

of Venerie. Chap. 3 7

IHaue thought good heere to declare the termes and words of
Venerie, and how a yong huntfman flioulde fpeake before the
mafters of the game. Firfb it is conuenient that an huntefman
be wcl Itayed and temperate in his fpeech : for all hunters
whichc haue regardc to the pleafure of their Venerie, ought
to be fober and modeft in talkc. But at thefe dayes they
take more delight in emptying of the bottles, than they
haue regarde to their tongs. But if a yong huntfman chaunce
to light in company with elder maiters, and that they afke
him howe he calleth the ordure of an Harte, Rayndcarc, Gote,
or fallow Dcare, he Ihall anfwere that they are to be called
the fcwmet or fewmyfliings, and that all beaftcs which Hue ot
browfe, Ihal haue the fame tcrme in that refped:. But in bcalls
of rauync or pray, as the Bore, the Bcarc, and fuch like, they Ihall
be called the Ltlles. And of Hares and Coneys, they are called
Croteys. Of other vermyne or Itinking chaies, as Foxes, Bad-
gers,

p8 The JjooTze of Hunting

gers and fuch like, they are called the feance, of the Otter they
are called the Sprayntes. Afterwardes if one afl^e him howe he
will terme the feeding of an Hart or fuch like, in termes of Ve-
nerie, he fliall fay that it is called the feede of aDeare. As to fay :
L.0 heere you may fee ivkere a Deare hath taken hts feede. Of Bores
and fuch like, you fliall fay the feeding, as to fay, lo, heere he hath
fed, &"C. So is there great difference betwene the feete of praying
bealts, and the feet of a Deare. For in beafts of pray and rauine,
as Beare, and Bore,&c. they are called traces. But the footing or
tracke of a Deare, as Harte, Bucke, Rayndeare, and Goate, they
are called the viewe, and the Slot. Also there is difference be-
tweene the Fryth and the Fell. The Felles are vnderffoode the
Mountaines, Valleys, and pafturcs with corne, and fuch like.
The Frythes betoken the Springs and Coppyfes. And if a
Deare do (tede. abroade out of the woodes, you fliall fay that he
fed in the Felles, otherwife in the Frythes. A yong hunter hath
alfo to confider the difference betwene thefe words Wayes and
Trenches. For by the first is ment the high and beaten ways on
the outfide of a wood or foreft, and fuch alfo as lye through fuch
woods being commonly beaten and trauelled. And by this word
Trench, is vnderfboode euery fmall way, not fo commonly vfed.
And therfore if the huntfmen do fay, the Hart is gone downe the
way, it is to be vnderftoode that he ment the high beaten waye :
But when he hath taken fome other by path or waye into the
wood or Foreft, then a Huntfman will fay he is gone downe that
trench, &c. So is there alfo difference betweene a Trench and a
path. For trenches as I fay, be wayes and walkes in a woode or
Foreft. But pathes are any place where a Deare hath gone and
left viewe or Slot either long before or frefli and newe. As tou-
ching blcmiflies, they are the markes which are left to knowe
where a Deare hath gone in or out. And they are little bowes
plaflied or broken, fo that they hang downward. For any thing
that is hung vp, is called a Sewel. And thofe are vfed moil com-
monly to amaze a Deare, and to make him refufe to paff'e when
they are hanged vp. When a hunti'man goeth to rowze a deare,
as to vnharl:)or a Hart or fo, he flial fay to his hound when he ca-
flcth him off, There boy there^ to hhn^ to h'lm^ to him. But if it were

to

The hoohe of Hunting s>9

to a Bore or fuch like, he llial fpeake in the plural number and fay,
To them^ to them^ &c. When a Hart hath fed in the Fels, he is com-
monly wet with dew, and wil not go to his layre, vntill he be dried
in the Sunne or otherwife, and then commonly he lyeth downe
vpon his belly infome open place, and rowzeth him when heryfeth.
That place hath with vs no proper name, but only to fay : here y^
Hart hath dried and rowzed himfelf. The places where an Hart or
any other Deare lyeth by day, are called layres. But the lying
places of Bores and fuch like, are called dennes, and of a Fox the
kennell. Afterwardcs, when a huntefman commeth to make his
report, he flial fay altogether what he hath feene and found. And
if he found nothing but view or Hot, and be demaunded what ma-
ner of view or flot it was, he fliall by rehearfall tell and defcribe
what maner of Slot or view it was, as to fay, a fliort or a long
foote, with fuch and fuch markes. The like report fliall he make
of his ports and entries : but if his hap were to haue feene the Harte
or Deare, and had leyfure to marke him, then if he be demaunded
what maner of Deare it was, and what head he beareth, he may
anfwerc firfb : He was of fuch, or fuch a coate, as fallow, browne,
blacke, or dunnc, and confequently of fuch and fuch a body, bea-
ring a high or lowe head, according as he hath feene. And if the
Deare be falfe marked, as bearing fixe Antliers or croches on the
one fide, and feuen on the other, then fliall the huntfman faye : he
beareth fourtene falfe marked, for the more doth always include
the IclTe. And if he pcrceiu that the Deare beare a fayre high head
big beamed, the Antliers neare and clofe to his head, and well fpred
according to the heigth, then may he fay, that he beareth a fayre
head, well fpred, and well markedin all points, and palmed, crown-
ed, or croched according as he fawe it. And likewife he may name
how many it was in the top, as an Hart of ten, fourtene, fixtene,
or fo forth. And if any demaund him if he iudgcd by the heade
whether the Hart were an old Hart or not, and howe he know-
eth, he maye anfwerc, that he iudgeth by the burre which was
great and well pearled, fct clofe to the head of the Deare. And
alfo by the Antliers which were great, long, and neare to the
burre, and accordingly by the tokens heretofore rehcarfed.

The

loo The hoohe of Hunting

The clawes which hang behinde of a Deare or of a Goate,
and fuch like, are called dew clawes. As to fay when you finde
the flot or view deepe, fo as the print of them may be feen, behold
here he hath left viewe of his dewclawes. Of a Bore they are
called the gardes. If a huntfman find view or Slot whereby he
iudgeth not y* it is a great or an old deare, he may fay it is likely
to be of an Hart often or an Hart of y® firfl: head. But if he find
Slot that feem of a great Deare, he may fay, a Hart of ten, with
out any addition of words. And if he iudgehimto be a very old
deare, he may then fay an Hart of ten, and fo he was long fmce.
And the greateft prayfe that he can giue a Deare, fhall be to fay,
A great old Hart or Deare.

And of a Bore, when he forfaketh the Sounder and feedeth
alone, he Ihalbe called a Sanglier going into the third yere. The
next yere he fliall be called a Sanglier of three yeres olde. The
next yere after that, he is called a Sanglier chafeable ; the grea-
teft prayfe that can be giuen him, is to fay, A great Bore not to
be refufed. Of fallow beafts the company is called an heard, and
of blacke beafts it is called a rout, or a Sounder.

A Hart belloweth, a Bucke groneth, and a Robucke belleth
when they go to Rut. A Hart goeth to the fteepe at noone in the
heate of the day to keepe him from the flye. An Harte breaketh
where he leaueth Slot or view. When he leapeth into the water
and commeth out againe the fame way, then he proffereth. If he
pafle through the water, he taketh foyle, and where he commeth
out, you llial fay that he breaketh water. And after that you may
call him an Hart defo'wlant the water.

An Hart or a Bucke is flayed, a Hare ftrypped, and a Fox or
fuch like vermyne are rayfed. An Hart and a Bucke likewife
reared, rowzed, and vnharborcd. An Hare ftarted, and a Fox
vnkennelled.

R

How to fet Relayes. Chap. 38

Elayes muft be fet according to the feafons and growth of
fprings. For in winter when the Hartes heade is harde, they

keepe

The hoohe of Hunting loi

keepe the ftrong couerts and thickets. And in Tpring time when
their heades are tender, they keepe in yong frythes and coppifes,
and in the weakeft couerts that they can finde, for feare leaft they
fliould knocke and hurt their heades againfb the boughes. And
therefore it is requifite to fet men abroad which are brought vp
in hunting, and vnderftande well their aduauntages, and witti
them a good pricker or huntfman on horfebacke, mounted vpon
a good curtail, which fhould be lightly clad, hauing good bootes
and high, with an home about his necke. Vkcebus iayth, that they
ought to be clad in greene when they hunt the Hart or Bucke,
and in rufTet when they hunt the Bore, but that is of no great
importance, for I remitte the coloures to the fantafies of men.
Thefe horfemen fliould go ouer night to their mafters chamber,
or if they ferue a Prince, to the mafters of the games or his Lie-
uetenantes, to knowe which of them fliall foUowe the kennel],
and which fliall be for the Relayes, and in which Relayes and
where they fliall beftowe them felues, and what houndes they
fliall leade with them, what helpes and varlets fliall goe with
them. And thofe of the relayes fliall do well tohaue euerie man
a little byllet to remember the names of their Relayes : and then
let them go to their lodging, and get them a guide which may
condu6l them in the morning. Afterwardes they muft looke that
their horfTes be well fliod and in good plight, giuing them otes
fufficient : That done, they fhall go to bed, that they may rife in
the morning two houres before day. Vi it be in Sommer, they
muft water their horfTes, but not in Winter, and then they fhall
bayte them well vntill the varlets fliall bring the houndes for
their relayes. Their guide being come, they fliall breake their
fafts altogether. And in fteede of Pyftolets, they fliall haue each
of them a bottle full of good wyne at the pomell of their faddles.
And when daye fliall beginne to peepe, then muft they gette
on horfebacke, hauing with them their guide, their relayes, and
all their equipage. If they would fende a curtail to another of
the relayes, then fliall they fay to one of their varlets, that he goe
with one of their companions to fuch a Relay. When they are
come to the place appoynted for their Relaye, they fhall place

their

102 The hooke of Hunting

their houndes in fome faire place at the foote of fome tree, forbid-
ding the varlet that he vncouple them not without their know-
ledge and commaundement, and that he flir not from thence nor
make any noyfe. Then dial they go three or foure hundreth paces
from thence, on that lide that the hunting is ordeined, and fliall
hearken if they heare any thing, or can difcouer the Hart, for feing
him a farre of, they flial better iudge whether he be fpent or not,
then if they marke him when he is hallowed or cryed at. For an
Hart when he is fpent, doth beare his head low if he fee no man,
fliewing thereby howe wearie he is. But when he feeth a man,
he rayfeth vp his heade, and maketh great boundes, as though he
would haue men thinke that he is ftrong and ftout. As alfo the
horfeman flial withdraw him felfe afide for another reafon. And
that is, bicaufe the pages and they which holde the horfes do com.-
monly make fuch a noyfe, that he can not heare the crye. And alfo
when the Hart doth heare noyfe, or hath the dogs in the winde,
they will either turne backe againe, or wheele afide from the relaye :
for which caufe the horfman flial hold himfelf afide to chofe and
marke the Hart at leyfure. And if he pafle by his relaye, he fliall
marke diligently whether he finke or be fpent, and alfo whether
he heare the hounds in chace comming after him or not. And me
thinkes that in hunting an Hart at force, it were not beft to caft
off your relayes, vntill you fee the houndes of the kennell which
beganne the crye. So fliould you lee who hunteth beft, and alfo
the fwiftneffe of your houndes. But nowe adayes I fee fewe
hunt the Harte as he ought to be hunted : for men glue not their
hounds leyfure to hunt, neither is there paffing two or three that
can hunt : for there are fo many hunters on horfebacke which can
neither blow, hallow, nor prick perfed:ly, which mingle themfelues
amongft the hounds, crolling them, and breaking their courfe, in
fuch fort, that it is not pofiiblethey fliould hunt truly : and therefore
I fay, that it is the horfes which hunt, and not the hounds. I wil
now therefore teach the Varlet how to forflow the Relaye when
the Hart is paft by. Firft he mull lead his hounds coupled or tyed
vnto the tracke, and let them folow fo three or foure paces right,
then let him caft of one, and if he take it right, then may he vn-
couple

The hooke of Hunting log

couple the reft, and blowe to them. For if he fhould caft off his
Relay a farre off, the hounds might hunt counter, which would
be a great fault. And alfo if the Hart be accompanyed with any
other Deare, then the pricker on horfebacke muil ryde full in the
face of him, to trie if he can part them or not, and if he can parte
them, then may he vncouple the houndes vpon the viewe. And if
a pricker on horfebacke chaunce to be at relaye on the fide of a
poole or water, and fee the Harte make towardes it, he flioulde
fuffer him to goe to foyle therein his fill, and neuer blowe nor
make noyfe : then when he commeth out, he may let the Varlet
goe with the houndes vnto the place where he came out, and vn-
couple the houndes vpon the viewe as before faide. And he muft
neuer abandon them, blowing after them to call in ayde, and
brufyng the grounde or making markes al the waye as hee
goeth, bicaufe if the houndes flioulde hunte chaunge, or fcatter
and ftray from the right wayes, then may they rcturne to the laft
marke, and fo feeke againe the firft chace.

Fhcebus fayeth, that you muft rate the houndes which come
farre behynde when the Harte is paft the Relaye. But for my
parte, I am of a contrarie mynde. For as muche as the houndes
of the Crye which haue alredie hunted long time, do better kepe
their true tracke and do not fo foone chaunge, as the frcih hounds
which are newly caft off' at the Relayes, True it is, that if there
be any olde houndes which come behynde plodding after the
Crye, then the prickers on horfebacke, or the Varlets which tarie
behinde, maye call them after them, and leade them before the
crye againe. Or ellc if you haue neede of more Relayes, and
that you perceiue the Hart bendeth towardes a coaft where there
is not muche chaunge, and that he fliould be forced to turn backe
againe the fame way : and alfo that there be good houndes ynow
before to mainteine the chafe, then may you take vp the hinder-
moft houndes and kccpc them frcfli for his returne : and if perad-
uenture it happen that the pricker on horfebacke being at his re-
laye, Hiould fee an Hart of tenne paile by him, and yet heare not
the other huntfmen, nor their hornts, then let him lookewcl whe-
ther the Hart be emboft or not, and what houndes they were that

TURD. vEN. I came

1 04 The hoohe of Hunting

came with him. And if he perceiue that they were choyfe hounds
and fuche as will not hunt chaunge, then ought he to blowe as
loude as he can for other hounds, and to call in helpe. And if one
come in, then let him followe the houndes which mainteined the
chace, and vncouple his houndes of relay, blowing and hallow-
ing all the way as he goeth, and blemifliing againft or ouer the
Slot or viewe of the Deare.

A huntefman on horfebacke fhoulde be circumfpedte in thefe

things, for fometimes fome frefhe Deare may rowze before the

houndes vpon a fodeine, by reafon of the noyfe of the houndes

and huntfmen, the which may be a great hurt : and peraduenture

fliall feeme to be emboft alfo, efpecially when Deare are in pride

of greace : But if he perceiue that the fure houndes of the kennell

hunt it not, and that he heare not them come after in ful cry,

then ought he not to cafb of his relayes, but only to marke

which way he fleeth, and to blemifli at the laft thicket where

he fawe him enter, or at the laft place where he had him in

viewe, to the endethat if he heare the houndes at default, he

may go and tell them that the Hart which pafled by his

relay, was fallowe, browne, or according as he fawe

him, and that he bare fuch and fuch a heade,

(Sec. And thereby they may iudge and

gefle, whether it were the cafFt Deare

or not, and may goe to feeke

him againe, beginning

then at the blemiflies

which he made

vpon his laft

viewe.

The boohe of Hunting

IDS'

Howe a huntefman fliould rowze an Harte, and
call off his hounds to him. Chap. 3 9

WHen the Prince or Lord which hunteth flull hauc heard
all reportcs, and that the relayes are well let and placed,
and that the huntfmen and houndes haue broken their fall or re-
frcflied them felues, then he which feemed to haue harbored the
grcatcft and oldeft Dearc, and him which lyeth in the layreft
couert, vpon whofe report the Prince or Lorde would goe to

I z hunt

1 06 The booke of Hunting

hunte, fliall take his bloudhounde and go before to the blemifli-
ings with his companions, and with all the prickers or hun-
ters on Horfebacke whiche hunte with the kennell, who flioulde
haue euery one of them a good cudgell in his hand, which is
called a Hunting coodgell or a Troncheon to turne the boughes
and beare them from his face as he followeth the houndes in
the woodes or thickes : and this coodgell flioulde not be bea-
ched or pilled vntill fuche feafon as the Harte haue frayed his
head : but when the Harte hath frayed, then may a Huntef-
man beare a coodgell beached or pilled lawfully : beyng come
to the blemiflies, lette them alight to behold the Slot and fuche
other markes as may be taken by the view or foote of a Deare, to
the end they may the better know whether their houndes hunte
change or not. Then when the Prince or Mafter of the game is
come, and the houndes for the crie, all the horfemen muft quickly
caft abrode about the couert, to difcouer y® Harte when he rowzeth
and goeth out of his hold, y* they may the better know him after-
wards bythecote,and by his head. And when the huntefman which
harbored him, flial fee all the reft of his companions about him with
the houndes for the crie, he fliall then go before them and rowze the
Deare, for the honour is due to him : and then the reft fliall caft
of their houndes, he and al they crying, To htm^ To him^ thats he^
that! he, and fuch other words of encouragement. And here I will
teach you two fecretes: the one is that the huntefmen ftiould not be
to haltie with their houndes at the firft rowzing or vnharboring ot
the deare, for afmuch as theyr heate may perchaunce make them
ouerflioote and hunt amifle : the other is, that the houndes of the
crie fhould alwaycs come behinde the huntefman which hath harbo-
red, and behinde his hounde by threefcore paces at the leaft, vntill
he haue vnharbored, for fearc leaft the Harte haue crofTed and dou-
bled within the thicket, and they might foyle or breake the Slot,
fo that the bloudhound fliould not be able to drawe and hunte fo
truely as els he would : for oftentimes old beaten Deare, when
they go to layre, do vfe all pollicies and fubtilities in croffing,
doublingandfuchlikc. Andtherfore ifthe houndes of the crie come
ouer ncarc after y® bloudhound, they flial breake the Slot and view,

fo

The hooke of Hunting 1 0*7

fo that he which harbored flial fcarce make his hounde to hunte it :
and if the bloudhounde as he dravveth do chaunce to ouerflioote and
draw wrong or counter, then mufte the huntefman drawe him
backe and fay, Backe^ backe^fofte^fofte^ vntill he haue fet him right
againe. And if he perceyue that the hounde do amend his fault and
hunte right againe, let him kneele down vpon one knee to marke
y*^ Slot or the portes well and aduifedly: and if he perceiue that his
hounde draw right, let him clappe him on the fide and cherifli him,
faying, Thats my boy^ thats he^ thats he^ To kirn kjtaue^ and let him
blemifli there afwell for them that come after him, as alfo to fliew
them that come with the kennellthat the Harte pafled there, and
if the kennell be to farre from him, he fliould crie. Come neare^ come
neare ivith the hou?idesy or els let him blowe two motes, leauing
blemiflies both alofte and by lowe, all the way as he goeth, that if
his hounde ouerflioote or drawe amiffe, he may yet come back to
hislaft blemish. Then if he perceyue y* his hounde do renew his
drawing, and that he drawe ftiffe, fo that it feemeth he be neare the
Harte, he muft hold him then fliorter and fliorter, leaft if the Harte
fliould rowze for feare a farre of, his hounde (hunting vpon the
winde) might carie him amifTe, fo that he fliould not finde the
layrc. Whereby (and by the foyles about it) he might haue certaine
iudgement: and if he rowze or vnharbor the Deare and finde the
layre, let him not blow ouer hafl:cly for y^ houndcs, but only crie,
Looke ivare^ looke ii^are^ ware^ laare^ and let him drawe on with his
hounde vntil y^ Deare be defcried, and rightly marked before he hal-
low. And if he finde any fewmets as he draweth, let him marke
well whether they be lyke to thofe which he found before or not,
I meane thofe which he brought to the aflembly : and yet fometimcs
he might fo be deceyucd, but that is not often, but only when the
deare hath chaunged his fecde. True it is y* the fcwmifliing which
a Deare maketh ouer night, be not like thofe which he maketh in
the morning, when he draweth into y ® thicket to go to his layre : for
thofe which he maketh at his fecde in y® night or eucning,bc flatter,
foftcr, and better difgcftcd, than thofe which he maketh in a morn-
ing : and y® reafon is bicaufe he hath flcpt and refl:ed al day, which
maketh perfed: digcfl:ion: and contrarily thofe which he maketh in

the

io8 The hoohe of Hunting

the running, are neither fo well difgefted nor fo foft. For as much
as al y® night a Deare goeth and trauelleth to feeke his feede, and
hath neither had reft nor leyfure todifgeft hisfeede fo well. And yet
they will be like of forme and proportion, vnlefle the chaunge of
feeding be the caufe of it. Or if the huntelman finde the layre of
the Deare, he fliall lay his cheeke or his backe of his hande vpon
it, to feele if it be warme or not. Or he may know by his hound,
for he will ftreyne and lappyfe, or whymper, or fometime call
on plainely. All thefe tokens giue a huntefman to vnderftande,
that the Harte is rowzed and on foote. Some Harts be fo fubtile
and craftie, that when they rowze and go from their layre, they
coaft round about, to feke fome other Deare wherby the hounds
which followe them, might finde change to hunt. Or elfe per-
chance they haue fome yong Brocket with them in company al-
wayes, whereby the huntefman may be beguyled. And therefore
he fliall not blowe to caft off more houndes when he rowzeth
him, but only crye, ware, ware, ware, come neare with the houn-
des. And let him drawe after him ftill that way that he went
fyftie or threefcore paces: And when he flial perceiue that the Hart
prepareth to flee, if he feeme to be fure thereof, let him blowe for
the houndes, and crye to them, thats he^ thats he^ to hlm^ to him.
And let him drawe ftill vpon the Slot or viewe, blowing and
hallowing, vntill the houndes be come in and beginne to take
it right, and therewithall he muft goe amongft them, with his
hounde in the lyam to encourage them, and to make them take
it the more hotely. Afterwardes when he feeth that they are in
full crye, and take it right, he may go out of the thicke, and giue
his hounde to his boy or fcruant, and get vp on horfebacke, kee-
ping ftill vnder the winde, and coafting to crofte the houndes
which arc in chace, to hclpc them at default if ncede require. But
if it fliouldc happen that the Harte turning counter vppon the
houndes in the thicket, had come amongeft chaunge, then let all
the huntcfmcn menace and rate their houndes, and couple them
vp againe, vntill they haue gone backe eyther to the layre, or to
laft blcmiih made vpon any Slolte or viewe, and fo hunt on a-
gainc vntill they may finde the Harte. For Ibmc beaten Deare

will

The hoohe of Hunting i op

will fall flat vpon his belly, and neuer moue vntill the houndes
be euen vpon him.

Certaine obferuations and futtleties to be

vfed by Huntefmen in hunting an

Harte at force. Chap. 40

NOw that I haue treated of fuche iudgements and markes as
the huntefmen may take of an Harte, and how they fliould
behauc themfelues in harboring of a Dcare, I thinke meete like-
wife to inftrudt (according to my fimpic fkill) the huntefmen on

horfebacke

no The hoohe of Hunting

horfebacke how to chafe and hunte an Harte at force : and that
afwel by audhoritie of good and auncient hunters, as alfo by ex-
perience of mine owne hunting. And bycaufe at thefe dayes there
are many men which beare homes and bewgles, and yet cannot
tell how to vfe them, neyther how to encourage and heipe theyr
houndes therwith, but rather do hinder than furder them, hauing
neyther f kill nor delight to vfe true meafure in blowyng : and
therewithal feyng that Princes and Noble men take no delight
in huntyng, hauing their eyes muffled with the Scarfe of world-
ly wealth, and thinking thereby to make theyr names immor-
tall, which in deede doth often leade them to deftrudtion bothe of
bodie and foule, and oftener is caufe of the fliortening of theyr
lyfe (which is their principall treafure here on earth) fmce a man
fliall hardly fee any of them reygne or Hue fo long as they did
in thofe dayes that euery Foreil: rong with houndes and homes,
and when plentie of flagon bottels were caried in euery quarter
to refreflie them temperately. Therefore I flioulde thinke it
labour loft to fet downe thefe things in any perfect: order, were
it not that I haue good hope to fee the nobilitie and youth of En-
gland exercife themfelues afwell in that as alfo in fundrie other
noble paftimes of recreation, accordyng to the fteppes of theyr
Honorable Aunceftors and Progenitours. And therefore I ad-
uenture this trauayle, to fet downe in articles and particularities,
the fecretes and preceptes of Venerie as you fee.

Firft then the prickers and Huntefmen on horfebacke, mufte
vnderftand, that there is diuerfitie betweene the termes and
wordes whiche they fliall vfe to Buckhoundes, and the termes
and wordes which they fliall vfe in hunting of the Bore. For an
Harte flieth and eloyneth himfelfe when he is fore hunted, truft-
ing to nothing els but vnto his heeies, nor neuer fl^andeth in
his defence vnleflTe he be forced : and therefore you fliall com-
forte fuch hounds with lowde and courageous cries and noyfes,
afwel of your voyce as of your home alfo. But when you hunte
a wilde Boarc or any fuch beaft, you fliall do the contrarie, by-
caufe they are bcafts which are slower, and cannot flee nor eloyne
themfelues from the houndes: but truft in their tufkesand defence:

and

The hoohe of Hunting 1 1 1

and therfore in fuch chafes, you {hall comfort your houndes with
furious terrible foundes and noyfe, afwell of the voyce as alfo of
your home, to the ende you may make the chafe flee endwayes.
And you fliould alwayes be neare at hande, and holde in with
your houndes, and make great noyfe leafl the Bore fliould hurte
or kill them. As touching the Harte and fuch other light chafes
or beafts of Venerie, the huntefmen on horfebacke may foUowe
theyr houndes alwayes by y^ fame wayes that they faw him pafTe
ouer, and neuer flial neede to crolTe nor coaft fomuch for feare leaft
they fliould rowze fome change: and likewife bicaufe in hunting
fo, they flial alwayes be befl: able to helpe at defaultes : and let them
neuer come'nearer the houndesincrie,thanfiftieorthreefcorepaces,
efpecially aty^ firft vncoupling, or at cafting of their relayes. For
if an Harte do make doublings, or wheele aboute, orcroffe before
your houndes, if then you come in to hafl:ily, you fliall foyle and
marre the Slot or view, in fuch forte as the houndes fliould not
be able to fent it fo well, but fliould ouerflioote the chafe, and that
would marre the fporte : but if the prickers and huntefmen on
horfebacke perceiue that an Harte (beyng runne anhoure or more)
make out endwayes before the houndes in chafe, and therewithal!
perceyue that the houndes follow in ful crie taking it right, then
they may come in nearer towardes the houndes, and blowe a Re-
chate to their houndestocomforte them. You flialvnderftand here-
with that when a Harte feeles that y^ houndes hold in after him, he
fleeth and feeketh to beguyle them : with chaunge in fundry fortes,
for he wil feeke other Hartes and Deare at layre,and rowzeth them
before the houndes to make them hunte chaunge : therewithall he
wil lie flat downe vpon his bcUie in fome of their lay res, and fo let
the houndes ouerflioote him : and bicaufe they fliould haue no icnt
of him, nor vent him, he wil trufle al his .iiii. feete vnder his belly
andwil blowandbreathvpony^groundein fomemoyfl:place: infuch
forte y* I hauefeene the houndes pafle by fuch an Harte within a
yeard ofhim and neuer venthim: andthisfubtiltiedoth nature endow
him with, yMicknowcth his breath and his feete to giue greater fent
vnto y° houndes than al the reft of his bodie. And therfore at fuch
a time hcwil abide y^horfcmentoride ful vpon him,bcforehe wilbe

reared,

112 The hoohe of Hunting

reared, and this is one efpeciall reafon wherefore the horfemen
and huntfmen Hiould blemifh at fuche places as they fee the Harte
entreinto a thicket or couert to the ende that if the houndes fall
to change, they may returne to thofe blemifties, and put their
houndes to the right flot and view, vntni they haue rowzed or
founde him againe with their bloudhounde, or with fome other
ftanche old hounde of the kenell, in the which they may affie them-
felues. For old ftaunche houndes which will not hunte change,
when they fee an Harte rowzed and before them, they neuer call on
nor once open : but if they be yong raflie houndes they wil runne
with full crie and fo take change. Wherfore in fuch refpedtes the
huntefmenonhorfebackemufthauegreatconfideration,andletthem
neuer affie themfelues in yong houndes, vnlesse they fee fome old
ftanche houndes amongft them: and if there be two prickers or
huntefmen on horfebacke together, that one flial run to the hounds
and rate them, that other flial hallow, and call them into the place
where they made the default, and there Jetthem beateM^ell with their
houndes, comforting them vntil they may finde the Harte againe.
And if he hcare any old fure hounde bay or open, let him make in
to him and looke on the flot whether he hunt right or not : and if he
find that it be right let him blow with his home, and afterwards
halow vnto that hounde naming him, as to fay, Hyke a Talbot^
or Hyke a Beivmont Hyke Hyke, to him^ to him, &c. Then the other
huntefmen fliall beate in theyr houndes to him, and by that meanes
they fliall renewe the chafe and finde him agayne. Againe a
Hart bringeth the houndes to change in another manner : for as
foone as he perceyueth that the houndes runne him, and that he
cannot efchew them, he will breake into one thicket after another
to finde other Deare, and rowfeth them, and heardeth himfelfe
with them. So that he holdeth herd with them fomtimes an houre
or more before he will parte from them or breake heard : then if
he fcele himfelfe fpent, he will breake heard, and fafl a doubling
and crofling in fome harde high way that is much beaten, or els in
fome riucr or brooke the which he wil kcepe as long as his breath
will fuffcr him : and when he perceyueth that he is farre before
the houndes, he will vfe like fubtilties as before to beguyle them,

lying

The hooke of Hunting 1 1 g

lying flat vpon his belly in fome harde way or drie place, and
crofling all his foure feete vndemeath him, breathing and blow-
ing againft the grounde as before faide, or againft the water if
he haue taken the foyle in fuch fort, that of all his body you fhal
fee nothing but his nofe : and I haue feene diuers lye fo, vntyll
the houndes haue bene vpon them before they would ryfe. In
thefe cafes the huntefmen muft haue efpeciall regarde to their
olde fure houndes, when they perceyue a Deare to feeke the
hearde fo, for the olde fure houndes will hunt leyfurely and
fearefully, when the raflie young houndes will ouerflioote it.
And therefore neuer regarde the yong houndes but the olde
ftanche houndes : and trull in the olde houndes gyuing them
leyfure, and being neare them to helpe and comfort them, euer-
more blemyfliing as you perceyue and fynde any Slot or view
of the Deare that is hunted.

And if fo chance that the houndes be at default, or that they
dilTeuer and hunt in two or three fundry companies, then may they
gefTe thereby that the Hart hath broken heard from the frefli deare,
and that the fayd frefli Deare do feparate them felues alfo. And
they mufb not then truft to a yong hounde (as before fayde) how
good fo euer he make it, but they muft regarde which way the
old ftanch hounds make it, and make in to them loking vpon the
Slot, view, or foyle. And when they haue found the right, and per-
cciuethat the Hart hathbrokenhcardfromthe other Deare,letthem
blemifli there, and blow, and cry. There he goeth^ thats he^ thats he^
to him^ to h'tm^ naming the hound that goth away with the vaut-
chace, and hallowing the reft vnto him. You fliall alfo haue re-
gard that hounds can not fo well make it good in the hard high
wayes, as in other places, bicaufe they can not there haue fo per-
fect fent, and that for diuers caufes. For in thofe high ways there
are the trackc and footing of diuers fundry forts of cattell which
beate them continually, and brcake the ground to duft with their
feete in fuche fort, that when the houndes put their nofes to the
ground to fent, the poudcr and duft fnuftcth vp into their nofes,
and marrcs their fent. And againc, the vehement hcate of the Sun
doth dry vp the moifture of the earth, fo that the duft couereth the

Slot

11^ The hoohe of Hunting

flot or view of the Deare as he runneth, and that is the fent wher-
by the houndes hunte principally, whereas vpon the greene ground
the Harte leaueth fent vpon the graffe or boughes where he paf-
feth or toucheth with his bodie. Many other reafons there are to
proue that in y® high wayes a hcunde cannot haue fo good fent as
in other places, the whiche I pafTe ouer for breuitie. And in fuch
place an Harte wil fubtilly make crofTes and doublings, or hold
the fame long together to make the houndes giue it ouer : fuch is
the benefite of nature to giue the dumbe beaft vnderftanding which
way to help himfelf, as it giucth alfo vnderftanding to al liuing
creatures to efchew and auoyde their contrarie, and their aduer-
farie, and to faue it felfe by all meanes poffible. But when the
huntefmen flial finde their houndes at default vpon fuch an high
way, then let them looke narowly whether the Harte haue dou-
bled, or crofTed : and if they finde that he haue, as to runne right
endwayes, and come backe againe counter vpon the fame, then let
themcrie to their houndes to encourage them. To htm hoyes ^coun-
ter ^ To him^ to him. And let them treade out the counter flottes in
fight of their houndes, helping and comforting them alwayes,vntill
they haue brought them where he entred into fome thicket or co-
uert, and there let them ftay theyr houndes vntill they make it
good vpon the fides of the high wayes, or thickets, and not within
the couerts : for when they are once entred into the couerts, they
fliall haue much better fent, and flial not fo foone ouerflioote it, as
they fliould haue done in the high wayes. For there the grafle, and
the leaues and fuch other things do keepe the fent freflicr, and alfo
the ground being moyfter, an Harte cannot fo foone touch it with
his feete or bodie, but he fliall Icaue fent for the houndes : and let
the huntefmen make blemiflies all the way as they pafie, and beate
theplaces wel with their houndes, comforting and helping them y®
beft that they can : and if any one hounde cal on alone, the huntef-
men muft make in tohim,and looke by y® flot or other tokens what
it fliouId be that he huntcth : and if they finde that he hunteth the
chafl'^ed Deare, they shall rechatein for the reft of the houndes, and
name that hounde to them, as to fay Talbot^ a Talbot^ a Talbot^ as
beforcfayd. Ithapncthoftcntimesalfo y*an Harte palTcth by fome

coleharthes

The hoohe of Hunting 1 1 y

coleharthes or place where things haue bene buried : and then the
houndes cannot haue fo good fent, bicaufe the hote fentof the fire
fmoothreththehoundes,andmakesthemforgetthefentoftheHarte.
In fuch cafe the huntimen may marke which way the Harte held
head, and coaft by the coleharthes with their houndes quickly, vn-
til they come on the farfide thereof: there let them beate well vntill
theyr houndes make it good againe by the flot or other tokens, or
by the fent which they muft needes finde in the frefh ayre palling
thus by and ftaying not. But if an Harte breake out before the
houndes into the champaigne countrie, and that it be in theheate
oftheday,betweenenooneandthreeoftheclocke: thenifthehuntef-
men perceiue that theyr houndes be out of breath, they muft not
force them much, but comfort them the beft y*they can, andthough
they heare not theyr beft houndes cal on vpon the Slot or view,
yet if they wagge theyr tayles it is inough : for peraduenture the
houndes are fo fpent with the vehement heate, that it is painefull
to them to call on, or that they be out of breath : and therefore in
fuch cafe the huntefmen flial do well to follow afarre oft without
ouerlaying or ouerriding of them as I haue before fayd. And if y«
houndes giue ouer and be tyred, then let the huntefmen blemiflie
vpon the laft Slot or view, and go with their houndes into the
next village, where they fliall giue them bread and water, and keepe
them about them vnder fome tree or fliade vntill the heate of y^ day
be ouer, and let them fometimes blowe to call in theyr boyes or
feruants which follow on foote, and their other companions, about
three of the clocke, they maygo backe to their laft blemiflie, and
put their houndes to the Slot or view : and if any of theyr var-
lettes or Boyes had a bloudhounde there, let him put his bloud-
hounde to the Slot or view, and drawe before the houndes with
him, cherifliyng and comforting him, and neuer fearyng to
make him open in the ftring : for the other houndes hearing him
open, will come in and take it right, leauyng their dcfaultes.
Thus flioulde the Huntefmen holde on beating and following
vntill they haue reared and found the Harte againe. You fliall
vndcrftand that when a Harte is fpcnt and fore runnc, his laft re-
fuge is to the water whichc hunters call the foylc, and he will

commonly

ii6 The hooke of Hunting

commonly therefore rather defcend downe the ftreame, than fwim
againft it, efpecially if the hounds run him well. And itfeemeth
he hath naturally this vnderftanding, that he knowcthif he fliould
fwimme againft the ftreame when he goeth to the foyle, the
houndes would haue greater fent of him, than when he descen-
ded downe the ftreame. For the wynde would alwayes beare
the fent vpon them, and alfo it were more painefull and greater
trauell to him felfe, to fwymme againft the ftreame, than to
fwymme downe the ftreame. Vnderftande then that if a Harte
be fore runne, and come to a Ryuer or water, he will common-
ly take it, and fwymme in the verie middeft thereof, for he will
take as good heede as he can, to touch no boughes or twygges
that grow vpon the fides of the Ryuer, for feare leaft the hounds
flioulde thereby take fent of him. And he will fwymme along
the ryuer long time before he come out, vnlelTe he light vpon
fome blocke or other fuche thing which ftop him in the ftreame,
and then he is forced to come out. In fuch places the huntefmen
must haue good regard to blemifli at the place where he firft toke
foyle : and let them marke there wel which way he maketh head,
the which they may perceiue either by their houndes, or by mar-
king which way he fled when he came thether. Let them make
their houndes take the water and fwymme therein : for they may
finde fent vpon the bulruflies or weedes which growe in the ry-
uer. Or otherwife, the huntefmen them felues may feeke to finde
where the Harte hath forfaken the foyle (which huntefmen call
breaking of the water) and there they fhall finde by the grade or
hearbes which he hath borne downe before him, which waye he
maketh heade. When they finde afluredly which way he maketh
heade, then let them call their houndes out of the water, for feare
leaft they founder them with too much colde after their heate.
And if there be three huntefmen of them together, let two of them
get one of the one fide of the riuer, and another on that other fide,
and let the thirde get him before that waye that the Harte hath
made heade, to fee if he can efpyehim fwymming or lying in the
water: the two huntfmen which flialbe on each fide of the ryuer, flial
beate with their hounds each of them vpon his fide, and far inough

from

The hooke of Hunting 117

from the bankes. For they fhal haue better fent .xx. or .xxx. paces
oflF, than they iliould haue at the verie fide or banke of the ryuer.
And the reafon is, that when the Hart commeth out of the water
he is al wet and moyled with water, which poureth downe his
legs in fuch abundance, that it drownes the Slot or view. But
commonly heroufeth and fliaketh the water off him at his comming
out therof, fo that by that time he haue gone .xx. or .xxx. paces, the
Slot is better, and the hounds fliall fent him much better. Ne-
uerthelelTe the huntfmen them felues fliould kepe alwayes neare
to the riuer : for fomtimes the Hart will lye vnder the water all
but his very nofe, as I haue before rehearfed : Or may percafe lye
in fome bed of bulrullies, or in fome tuft of fallowes, fo that they
might leaue him behind them : and then aflbne as they were paft,
he might goe counter backe againe the fame way that he came.
For commonly a Harte hath that craftie pollicie to fufFer the
hounds to ouerflioot him, and the huntfmen to pafTe by him. And
allone as they be past, he will ftealeback and go counter right back-
wards in y" fame track or path y* he came. This hapneth not
often, vnlefTe the riuer be fiill of fallows or fuch bullies, and neare
vnto fome foreft. But let fome one of y® Huntefmen haue alwayes
an eye to the Riuer, and let the reft beate with theyr houndes .xx.
paces from the bankes, and io let them keepe on altogether vntill
they finde where he brake water : and if they finde any blocke or
beame, or fuch thing that lieth crofTe ouerthwarte the ftreame, let
them looke there whether he haue broken water or not, for vnlefle
it be at fuch a place, or at fuche a let, a Harte will kccpe the wa-
ter long, efpecially when he brcaketh from the houndes ouer a
champaignc countrie : for at fuch times they will holde the wa-
ter as long as they can, and alfo at fuch times they trull no lon-
ger ncyther in their thickets, nor in their fwiftnefle, but are con-
flrayncd to feeke the foylc as their laft refuge. And here I
thinke it not amiflfe to aduertife you, that an Harte dreadeth the
Northcrnc windcs, and the Southernc windes much more than
he doth the Eaftcrly or Weftcrly windcs, in fuch forte that if at
his brcakyng out of a coucrt, when he fcekcth to brcakc from the
houndes cndwaies ouer the champaignc, he feele either a North-

winde

1 1 8 The booke of Hunting

winde or a Southwinde blow, he will neuer runne into it, but
turnes his backe and takes it in his tayle, and this he dothe for
diuers respeds. The iirfl is bycaufe the North winde is colde
and fliarpe, and drieth exceedingly, and the Southwinde is bote
and corrupt, bycaufe it commeth vnder the circle of the Sunne,
the whiche ouercommeth him and fettes him vp quickly by the
vehement fweltrie heate thereof. And if he fliould runne into
any of thofe two windes, it would quickly enter his throte when
he is emboft and beginneth to be fpent, and would drie his throte
and his tongue fore, and would alter and chafe him much with
the vehement heate thereof, Alfo thofe windes are commonly
great and tempeftuous, and if he fliould runne againft them, his
head and homes woulde be as a fayle to holde him backe, the
which might much let him in his runnyng. Agayne, he know-
eth that if he runne into the winde, the houndes dial haue the
better fent of him, and neede not fo much to lay theyr nofes to
the ground but may hunte vpon the winde. Alfo he himfelf doth
couet alwayes both to fee and heare the houndes whiche follow
him. And although Vkcebus fayeth that all Hartes do commonly
runne downe the winde how fo euer it fitte,yet haue I found it
otherwife by experience : and efpecially when it bloweth from the
Seawardes, which is a moyft winde, and then a Harte will couet
to runne agaynft the winde : but doubtlefTe a Harte doth feare
the Northerly winde and the Southwinde, as I haue fayde before :
and fo do all other beafts, as Spaniels or houndes, the which
wil not hunte io wel in thofe windes, as they do at other times.
Alfo you flial vnderftand, that a Harte doth foreloyne andbreake
out before the houndes for diuers reafons, efpecially in Aprill or
May, when his head is bloudie and fofte, for then if he be hunted
he dareth not holde in the thickets or couerts for hurtyng of his
head : but is conftreyned to come forth of the ftrong holdes, and
then he breaketh oucr the champaignc Countries, and fecketh to
forloyne or to breake from the houndes, and then he doubleth,
croffeth, &c. Or it may be that a harte forfaketh the couert for an
othcrreafon: bicaufe in the thickets hetrauaylethmore,andbeateth
himfelf forcr in bearing downe the boughes before him: and cannot

make

The hooke of Hunting 119

make way (o wel before the houndes : for they beyng much lefTer
then he, do runne with greater eafe in the hollow of the woodes
below, and in like maner he cannot croile nor double fo well in
the couert as he may do in the playne champaigne. And for thtfe
caufes he is conftreyned (as it were) to go out either into the hol-
low woodes, or into the champaigne. And there let the Huntef-
men haue good regarde, for a hounde may much fooner be at de-
fault in the hollow woodes than in the ftrong couerts, hauing more
fcope to call about and to range furder out when they are bote and
madbrayned, and fo they may ouerflioote the flotte, if the Huntef-
men be any thing haftie with tliem, and ouerley them, or ouer ryde
them and hunte change : the which they cannot fo lightly do in y^
ftrong couerts, for there they runne diredtly vpon the foote of the
Deare : and cannot caft out neither one way nor other fo redily,
for they feare euermore to leefe the right tracke where the Harte
went. AndtherforeaHuntfmanflial take greater heede to change
in the hollow high woodes, than in yonger fprings : for a hounde
will fooner ouerflioote and hunte out in the hoUowes, thanin the
ftrong holdes. Alfo in hollow high woodes a Harte dothe fore-
loyne more and breaketh furder from the houndes, and hath more
leyfure to croffe and double, and to feeke the change amongft other
Deare than hehath in ftrongcr couerts: alfoan Hart doth forloyne
or breake out from the houndes for an other caufe : that is when he
feeleth himfelf fore layed to by the houndes, and feeth y* no fubtiltie
helpeth him, then becommeth he amafed and loofcth his courage,
and knoweth not whiche way to take, but paileth at al aducn-
ture ouer the fieldes, and through the villages and fuch other places.
Then ftiould the Huntefmen drawe neare to their houndes, and
if they perceiue them at any default, they fliall ncucr go backe to
any Slot or viewe, but go on ftill, and hunte forwardcs, for a
Deare that is fpcnt or fore hunted, and that feekcth to foreloyne
or breake from the houndes, will ncuer tarie to croffe or double,
but holdcth head onwardcs ftill as long as breath ferueth him,
vnlelTe he haue fome foylc in the winde, then he may chaunce go
afide to take the Soyle, but els not. True it is that if he breake
out into the champaigne for any caufe before mentioned, and be not
TURD. YEN. K lore

1 20 The hoohe of Hunting

fore fpent, nor beginne to finke before the houndes,then he maye
chance to double, crofTe^and vfe other fubtleties : but if he be fpent,
he will fildome vfe any fubtletie, but onely to lye flat vpon his
belly awhyle, and that not long neither. Furthermore you fliall
nowe vnderftande that there is great diflPerence in finding out
the fubtleties of a Deare in the Foreiles or ftrong holdes, and
thofe which he vfeth in the play in champaigne. For in the firong
couerts you muft caft about neare vnto the laft Slot that you find,
and you muft hold in as neare as you can. For if the huntefmen
caft wide out in beating for it, they maye chaunce to light vpon
change, which will carie out your hounds to your great difad-
uantige. But in the champaigne you maye caft about at large
without dread of chaunge : and that in the frefluft and moft com-
modious places, where they might fooneft finde viewe, and fo
make it out, and whereas alfo the houndes maye haue beft fent.
For in the fandhils and drye places, a hounde can not make it
out fo well, by reafon of the duft and fande which will ftrike vp
into his nofe, and by reafon that the Sunne doth fooner drye vp
the moyfture from the ground in thofe places. Again, bicaufe in
fuch heathy places, and barreyne grounds, there is neyther grafle
nor any thing whereon the Deare may leaue fent fo well : and
that is the caufe that Huntefmen may cafte aboute in the mofte
conuenient moyft places, and in the freflie vnder fome buflie or
(hade where the earth is not fo much dried and parched with the
Sunne : and if they cannot make it out at the firfte cafting a-
boute, they may then cafte about the fecond time a larger com-
paffe : and if by that meanes they make it not out, then may
they prefume that he is within that compaffe and precindte which
they haue fo cafte about, or elfe that the Harte hath made fome
croflyng or fome doublyng, or vfed fome fubtiltie : then let them
leade backe theyr houndes to the place where they firft fell at de-
fault, and put their houndes to it vpon the Slotte, or where the
earth is broken as they went before, and lette them beate it well
with their houndes, fpcaking to them and cherifliyng them all
that they can deuife, afwell with their voyce as with their homes :
and let them lookc well to the grounde to helpe their houndes.

And

The hoohe of Hunting 121

And it Ihal not be poffible (thus doyng) but that you fhal rowze
the Deare againe within the circuite and compaflTe that you had
earft cad: about : and at the leaft if you do not, you fliall yet finde
where he is gone on, and fo make it out, vnlede the extremitie of
the heate do altogether marre your houndes Hunting. Further-
more you fliall remember, that when an Harte breaketh out from
the houndes, by the two firfte places where you flay vpon any
croflyng or doublyng that he hath made, you fliall perceyue all
the ilibtilties and poUicies which he will vfe all that day after.
For if his twoo firft doublings or other fubtilties be in an high
waye, or in a water, then all the reft that he will vfe all the day
after will be in the fame manner. And then let the Huntefmen
marke well on whiche hand he turneth when he parteth : for on
whiche hand foeuer he turne the two firfte times, on the fame
hand he will turne (at his parting) all the day after, whether it
be on the right hand or on the left hand : And therefore remem-
ber euer when you come at any default to beate firft on that hand
which he tooke at the two firft defaults. Alfo an Haite doth of-
tentimes vfe greate pollicies in the pathes within the greate
v/oodes and ftrong couerts, or els will follow fuch a pathe vn-
till he come to the outfide of the woode, as though he woulde
come out into the playne, and will immediately fall to double
and crofTe, returnyng fiat counter, fometimes two bowcfliot
togethers : then the Huntefmen to make it out at fuch a default
mufte take good heede that theyr houndes take not the counter,
bycaufe the Harte is fiedde backwardes therewith fo farre: and
alfo they fliall finde the Slotte or view, (or at leaft the foyles of
the view) freflier in the coucrt, than theyfliould do abroadeinthe
fielde, the which may carrie them farre backe vpon the counter.
Wherefore at fuch defaults the Huntefmen fliall not be to haftie
with their houndes, but rather giue them leyfure, and let them
hunte in dread and doubt vntill they haue made it out pcrfedlly.
Alfo there be fome Hartes, whiche when they rife out of their
layrcs will haltc, or fall downc vpon their bellie before the
Huntefmen, and feeme to rccle and royle before the houndes, as
if they were fpent and fore hunted not long before : by fuch fub-

K % tleties

122 The hooke of Hunting

tilties you may iudge eafily that they are olde beaten Deare, and
wel breathed, and wil ftand long vp before your hounds, truft-
ing much in their force and fwiftnelTe : for a huntefman may eafily
know when a Harte is ipent in deede, and when hebeginneth to
fmke and will not long holde vp, by diuers tokens. Firil if he
neyther regard, heare nor fee any man or any thing before him
when the houndes runne him : or if he beare his head lowe, put-
ting his nofe downe to the ground e, and reele or folter with his
legges, fliewyng how feeble he is in deede, or if he efpie a man
before him, he rayfeth vp his head, and maketh great boundes and
ieapes on heigth as though he were luftie and frellie (as I haue
fayde heretofore) but fuch frilTces will not laft long : for when he
is a little paft by, he will ftretche out his necke agayne and hold
downe his head and will reele and wallow as before fayde. Or
els likewife you may know when a Deare is fpent, if his mouth
and throte be blacke and drie without any froth or fome vpon it,
and his tongue hangyng out : likewife by his Slot or view
where you finde it, for oftentimes he will clofe his clawcs to-
gethers as if he went at leyfure, and flreight way agayne will
open them and ftray them wyde, making great glydings, and
hitting his dewclawes vpon the grounde, or his flianke bones
fometimes, and will commonly followe the beaten pathes and
wayes, and neuer double nor crofle but verie little. And if he
come to a hedge or a dytch, he will goe all alongft to feeke fome
brack or beaten leape, bicaufe he hath not force to leape it round-
ly of him felfe. By all thefe tokens you may know when a deare
is fpent and readie to fall. Thus will I ende this chapter, pray-
ing all expert huntfmen and mafters of Venerie to hold me ex-
cufed, if I haue ouerfI<ipped, or left out any thing nieete to be
fet downe, for as much as it is hard for any man to fet down fo
wel in writing, as he might put it in execution. But always re-
member that the Arte it felfe rcquireth great fkyll, wit, and pol-
licie, in a huntfman : and that he gouerne him felfe according to
the varietie of occafions, and according to the prcfumptions that
he fhall fee in the Deares wyles and fubtletics, thcrewithall that
he haue refpcdt to the goodnelTe or imperfcdion of the houndes,

and

The hooke of Hunting 123

and to the erodings and doublings of the Deare together with
the places where the fame are made. And therevpon he maye
make his ring, and caft about litle or much, according to the com-
moditie of the place, time, and feafon. For hounds wil more ouer-
flioot in the heate, and in the time that there is moll: fent vpon the
herbes, flowres, and graffe, than at any other feafon of the yeare.
And therefore at fuch times and places, you fliall do well to
caft about a greater compafle or circuite, and oftner alfo, feek-
ing moyfl and frefli places for the better fent and aduauntage
of the houndes. Thus doing, you haue verie euill lucke if
you lofe a Hart by default : fo that you will take paynes
and giue not ouer for a little difcomfort. Yea when
you are ouertaken with the night, or that your
houndes are furbayted and wearie, yet a
good huntefman fliould not thereat
be abaflied, nor difcomfited,
but blemiflie vpon the laft
Slot or viewe, and to
him agayne in
the morn-
ing.

How

1 24 The hoohe of Hunting

Howe to kill an Hart when he is at bay,

and what is then to be doone

Chap. 41

WHcn a Hart is at Bayc, it is dangerous to go iii to him,
and efpccially in rutting time. For at that time their heads
are venomous and mofl:peri]Ious,andtherevponcamethisprouerbe,
If thou be hurt luith Hart, it br'mgs thee to thy Beare,
But Barbers harid ixiil Bores hurt he ale, t her of thou 72eedjl 7tot feare.
The which hath not bin layd for nothing, as hath bin proued
by many examples. For we read of an Emperor named BafiU.

which

The hoohe of Hunting 1 15-

which had ouercome his enimies in many battels, and had done
great deeds oF Chiualrie in his Countrie, and was yet neuerthe-
leffe flayne with an Harte in breaking of a Bay. Behold gentle
Reader the vnconftancie of variable fortune.. A Prince whiche
had done fo many deedes of prowefle amongft men : which had
both comforted his friendes, and difcomforted his enimies: which
had peaceably defended his people, and courageoufly aflaulted
fuche as fought to fubuert his dominion, was at the laft in the
pryde of his pleafure, in the purfute of his paftime, and in the
vnexpected day of his deftenie, vanquiflied, flayne, and gored with
the homes of a brute Beafl : yea (that more is) by a fearefuU
beaft, and fuch an one as durft not many dayes nor houres before
haue beheld the countenance of the weakeft man in his kingdome :
A Beail that fledde from him, and a beaft whom he conftreyned
(in his owne defence) to do this deteftable murder. This ex-
ample may ferue as a mirrour to al Princes and Poteftates, yea
and generally to all eflates, that they brydle their mindes from
proferyng of vndeferued iniuries, and do not conftrayne the
fimple fakelefTe man to ftand in his owne defence, nor to do (like
the worme) turne agayne when it is troden on. I woulde not
haue my wordes wrefted to this conftrudion, that it were vn-
lawfull to kill a Deare or fuch beafts of venerie : for fo fhould
I both fpeake agaynft the purpofe which I haue taken in hande,
and agayne I fliould fceme to argue againft Gods ordinances,
fmce it feemeth that fuche beaftcs haue bene created to the vfe of
man and for his recreation : but as by all Fables fome good mo-
ralitie may be gathered, fo by all Hillories and examples, fome
good allegoric and comparifon may be made. And to returne to
the matter, I might recite many other ftories and examples, but
this may futTice to admonifli all Huntefmcn that they go wifely
and warily to a Harte when he is at Baye : as hereafter I will
more largely declare. You fliall vndcrftand then, that there are
Baycs in the water and Bayes on the lande, and if an Harte
be in a dccpc water, where the Huntefman cannot come at him,
the bcft thing that he can do, flialbe to couple vp his houndes,
and that for many caufcs : for if they flioulde long continue in

the

125 The hoohe of Hunting

the water, it would put them in great daunger to founder and
marre them, or if the water be broad and deepe, they might chaunce
(through eagernefTe of their game) to drown. For a Hart which
is fpent, will not willingly leaue a great water, when he feeth
the hounds and the huntimen come in to him, but will fwimme
vp and downe in the middefl: of the ftreame, and neuer come
neare the bankes. And therefore I fay the huntefman fliall doe
wel to take vp his hounds, and to ftand clofe vpon a cleare wind
vntill the Harte may come out of his owne free will, the whiche
peraduenture he wil quickly do, when he heareth no longer noife
after him. And if the huntefman ftande clofe and vpon a cleare
winde, he may chance to haue a blowe at him with his fworde
as he commeth out. But if he fayle thereof, and that the Hart be
once paft him, let him fuffer him to pafle farre inough before he
vncouple his hounds, for if a Hart heare any fodeine noyfe com-
ming after him, he may chance to returne vnto the foyle. But if
he perceiue that the Harte will not come out of the water, then
let him get a boate, or if he can fwymme, let him put off his
clothes, and fwymme to him with a Dagger readie drawne to
kyll him, and yet let him well beware howe he aflayle him, vn-
lefle the water be verie deepe. For if it be fo fliallowe that an
Hart may ftande vpon the bottome, he may chaunce to giue the
huntefman a flirewde blowe, if he take not heede at the firft en-
counter : marie where it is deepe he hath leaft force. It hath
beene my happe oftentimes to kyll in this forte verie great
Hartes, and that in fight and prcfence of diuers witnefTes, and
afterwardes I haue guided their deade bodyes to the banke
fwymming. As touching the baye on the lande, if the Harte be
frayed and burniflied, then the huntfman ought well to regarde
and confider the place. For if it be in a playne and open place,
where there is no wood nor couert, it is daungerous and harde
to come in to him : but if it be by an hedge fide, or in a ftrong
thicke or qucache, then whylcsthe Harte doth ffare and looke vp-
on the houndcs, the huntefman may come coucrtly amongfh the
buflics bchynde him, and fo maye eafily kyll him : and if the
Harte turne heade vpon him, let him runne bchynde fome tree,

or

The hoohe of Hunting 127

or couer him felfe in the thycke quickly, or fhake fome boughe
rudely and boyfteroufly before him. Or elfe when you fee an
Hart at Baye, take vp the houndes, and when the Harte turneth
heade to flee, galloppe roundely in, and before he haue leyfure
to turne vpon you, it is a thing eafie ynough to kyll him with
your fworde.

Howe to breake vp an Harte after the

French manner, and to rewarde

the houndes. Chap. 42

WHen the Harte is kylled, then all the huntcfmen whiche
be at fall of him, fliall blowe a note, and whoupe alfo a
deade note, to the ende that the reft of the companies with all
the houndes may come in. Being alTembled, and the Prince or
chiefe hunter come alfo, they fliall bryng the houndes to the
Deare, and let them all to byte and teare him about the necke,
then couple them vp vntyll their rewarde be prepared. Then the
chiefe hunte fiiall take his knyfe, and cut off the Deares ryght
foote before, and prefent it to the Kyng as you fee it here por-
trayed. And before they procecde any further, they muft cut down
good ftore of greene branches and ooughes, and itrewe them vp-
on the grounde. Then fliall they lay the Hart therevpon, laying
him vpon his backe, with his foure feete vpwardes, and his head
under his two flioulders, as you maye likewife fee here por-
trayed.

That being doone, make a little forke with one tyne longer
than any other (as you may fee alfo) vpon the which forkc you
maye hang all the dayatie morfclles whiche appertayne to the
Prince or chief pcrfonage on field. And before that you go about
to take ofl^ his fkynne, the fyrfl: thing that mull be taken from
him, arc his ilones which hunters call his doulccttcs, and hang
them on the forke by a little of their fkynnc : then let them begin
to take of his fkinne in this maner.

Firfl: you mufl: bcginne to flyt it at the throate, and fo all
along his bcllye, vnto the place where you tooke awaye his

doulcets.

128 The boohe of Hunting

doulcets, then take him by the right foote before, and cut the fkin
rounde aboute vnderneath the ioynt of the dewclawes, and then
flit it fiom thence vnto the toppe of his breffc, and do afmuch to
the other forelegge : then flit and cut the ikinne in like maner of
the hinder legges vnto the toppe of the hanche, leauing at the
place where you tooke away the doulcets : then beginne at euery
legge, one after another to take of the fkinne : and when you come
at his fides you muft let cleaue to the fkinne, a thinne kinde of
redde fleflie which hunters call the apparel of an Hart, the which
groweth aboue the venifon and betweene it and the fkinne on
both fides of his bodie. Thus when the fkinne is cleane taken of
fauing only at the head,eares, fkut, and the Tewell (at all which
places the fkin muft ftill haue hold,) before you go about to do
any more, the chiefe Huntefman mufl call for a botle of wine,
and drinke a good harty draught : for if he fhoulde breake vp the
Deare before he drinke, the Venifon would ftinke and putriiie.
You fliall alfo prefent before the Prince or chiefe perfonage in
field, fome fine fauce made with wine and fpices in a fayre difhe
vpon a chafyngdiflie and coles, to the end that as he or flie doth
behold the huntefman breaking vp of the Deare, they may take
theyr pleafure of the fweete deintie morfels, and drefle fome of
them on the coles, makyng them Carbonadies, and eating them
with their fauce, reioycing and recreating their noble mindes
with reherfall whiche hounde hunted beif, and which huntefman
hunted mofte like a woodman : callyng theyr belt fauoured
houndes and huntefmen before them, and rewarding them fa-
uorably, as hath bene the cuftome of all noble perfonages to do.
Then fliall the huntefman take his knife in hande agayne and
breake vp the Deare in this forte : fpreadyng the fkinne on both
fides vpon the greene leaues ftrewed for that purpofe. Firfle he
ihall take out the tongue, and put it vpon the Forke, for it ap-
pertayncth to the Prince or to the chiefe perfonage : likewife two
knottcs or nuttes whiche are to be taken betwene the necke and
the flioulders, and twoo others whiche are in the flankes of the
Deare, and are called flankardcs, and hang them vpon the Forke :
this bcyng done, he fliall firfl: take out the right flioulder with

his

The hooke of Hunting i if)

his flioulder knyfe, the which perteineth to the huntfman which
harbored him. Then next that other Ihoulder pertayneth to the
reft of the huntefmen. Then muft he take the Bryflvet bone and
the flappes which hang with it vnto the necke, and that pertay-
neth alfo to him that harbored and rowzed him. Then lliall he
make his arbour and take out the panch, and cut off the Deares
PyfTeU, which is medicinable. Afterwardes he fliall take the
fweete pudding (which is the fat gut that goeth to the Deares
tewell) and the vppermoft gut next the ftomacke, and turnc and
clenze them both whiles they be hote, and put them on the forke,
for they appertayne to the beft perfonage.

All thefe being doone, you fliall take the Harts heart, and flyt
it in funder, taking out a bone which is therein, and rayfe the
NoombJes from his fillets, and betweene his hanches, and fo vp
to the mydryffe betweene the bloudboulke and the fides, leauing
the rauens morfell (which is the gryffell at the fpoone of the brif-
ket) and giue two galhes on cache fide of the bryfket, to fliew
the goodncffe of the fleflie. And you fliall take from the
Noombles three knots or nuts, which are betweene them and the
fides, and are called cyjtq and quatre. Thofe pertayne to the
chiefe huntcfman, the Noombles, hanches and tender-
lings (which are the foft toppes of his homes when
they are in bloud) cfoe pertayne to the Prince or
chiefe perfonage. The necke and the chyne
being taken from the fides, referue
the fides for the Prince, the necke
for the Varlet of the kennell,
and the chyne for the
Varlet that keepes
the bloude
hounde.

How

1 3 o The hoohe of Hunting

Howe to rewarde the houndes, and fyrfl
the bloud hound. Chap. 43

THe houndes fliall be rewarded in this maner. Firft let
the bloude houndes be prefent when you breake vp the
Dcare, that they may fee him broken vp, and let them be tyed
or made fail to fome tree or bough, fo farre one from another
that they fight not. Then the huntfman which harbored the
Harte, fliall take the cabaging of the hcade, and the heart of the
Deare to reward liis bloud hound firft, for that honor pertaineth

to

The hoohe of Hunting 1 3 r

to him : when he hath done, he fliall deliuer it to the reft, that they
may likewife rewarde theirs : that done they flial fyt dovvne and
drinke, whiles the Varlets of the kennell prepare the rewarde for
their houndes, and that maye be made in two fortes. Firile
fome vfe immediately aflbne as the Hart is deade, (the huntfmeii
hauing blowne to aflemble the reft vnto his fall) to alight from
thtir horfes, and take off the Deare llcinne from his necke whilll
it is bote, and when they haue well f kotched it with their wood-
kniues, that the houndes may the more eafily teare off the fleflie,
they rewarde the houndes with that and the brayncs all hote and
bleeding : and furely thofe rewardes are much better than others
which are giuen afterwardes colde when they come home, and
will much better flefli and encourage the hounds. But the re-
wardes which are made at home (which are called cold rewards)
are thus giuen. The varlets of the kennell take bread, and cut it
into gobbets into a pan, cutting cheefe likewile in gobbets with
it: then take they the bludofy*deare, and fprinkle it vpon the bread
and cheefe, vntill the brcade and cheefe be all bloudy : and then
they take a great bolle of my Ike warme, and mingle it altogether.
Afterwardes they fliall fpread the iTcynne vpon the ground in
fome faire place, and put out this reward vpon it. Remember
that you let it not abyde long in the pan, for then the milke
will turne and be fowre. When it is thus prepared, put the caba-
ging of the heade in the midft amongft it, and haue a payle or
tub of frcfli water in a readinefle neare to the reward, to let your
houndes lappe in when they are rewarded. Then you fliall let
the head vpon a ftaffe (which muft be fmothe and cleane for hur-
ting of the houndes) and let one of the Varlets carie it an hun-
dreth paces from you. Then the Prince or chiefe fliall begin to
blow and to hallow for the hounds, bicaufe that honor with all
others appertaine vnto y^ Prince or chief perfonage. And if he or
fhe cannot or wil not do it themfelues, let them appoint whoflial
do it as for their honor. Afterwards all the huntfmcn fliall take
their h.ornes and blowe, and hallowe to the houndes to reioyce
them. In this meane while the Varlet of the kennell fliall
ftandc at the rewarde with twoo wandes (in eache hande one)

to

i^z The hoohe of Hunting

to keepe the houndes backe vntill they be all come about him.
And when they are all baying and calling on about him, let him
ftand from the rewarde, and fufFer the houndes to eate it. And
when they haue almoft eaten it vp, let him whiche holdeth the
Deares heade, hallowe and crye, Heere aga'ine boyes^ heere a-
game J haw^ haiu^ ©"<:. Then the Varlets of the kennel which ftand
about the reward, muft rate away the houndes, and make them
go to him that halloweth. Then he fliall fliewe them the heade
of the Deare, lifting it vp and downe before them to make them
baye it : and when he hath drawne them al about him baying, he
fhall caft downe the heade amongft them that they maye take
their pleafure thereon. Then fliall he leade them backe agayne
to the fkynne, and turne the fkynne vpon them (being colde) and
then kennell them vp. Confider that it fliall be beft to kcnnell
them immediately, for elfe if they fliould runne about and tra-
uell, it would make them caft vp their rewarde againe. The re-
warde being thus giuen and fyniflied, the Varlet and the reft
may go to drink e.

An aduertifement by the Tranflatour,

of the Englilhe manner, in breaking

vp of the Deare

IN defcribing this order howe to breake vp a Deare, I haue
obferued the duetie of a faythfuU tranflatour, nothing at all
chaunging the wordes of myne Authourc, but fuffcring him to
procccde in the Frenchc maner. But bycaufc I find it difFerente
from our order in fome poyntes, therefore 1 haue thought good
here to fct downe fuch obieruations of difference as I haue no-
ted therein, leaft the reader mighte be drawne in opinion, that
the errour proceeded only in my default.

Firft where he appoyntcth the Deares foote to be cutte off,
and to bee prefentcd to the Prince or cliiefe, oure order is,

that

The hoohe of Hunting

111

that the Prince or chicfc (if fo pleafe them) doe alight and take
afifaye of the Deare with a fliarpe knyfc, the whiche is done

in

134 ^'^^ hooke of Hunting

in this maner. The deare being layd vpon his backe, the Prince,
chiefe, or fuch as they (liall appoint, commes to it : And the chiefe
huntfman (kneeling, if it be to a Prince) doth holde the Deare by
the forefoote, whiles the Prince or chief, cut a flyt drawn alongit
the bryfket of the deare, fomewhat lower than the bryfket to-
wards the belly. This is done to fee the goodneiTe of the flelh, and
howe thicke it is.

This being done, we vfe to cut ofFthe Deares heades. And that
is commonly done alfo by the chiefe perfonage. For they take
delight to cut off his heade with their woodknyues, fkaynes, or
fwordes, to trye their edge, and the goodnelTe or ftrength of their
arme. If it be cut of^ to rewarde the houndes withall, then the
whole necke (or very neare) is cut off with it : otherwise it is cut
off neare to the head. And then the heade is cabaged (which is to
fay) it is cut clofe by the homes through the braine pan, vntill you
come vnderneath the eyes, and ther it is cut off. The piece which
is cut from the homes (together with the braines) are to rewarde
the houndes. That other piece is to nayle up the homes by, for a
memorial], if he were a great Deare of heade.

As for the deintie morfels which mine Author fpeaketh off for
Princes our vfe (as farre as euer I could fee) is to take the caule,
the tong, the eares, the doulcets, the tenderlings (if his heade be
tender) and the fweete gut, which fome call the Inchpinne, in a
faire handkercher altogether, for the Prince or chiefe.

It mull be remembered (which he leaueth out) that the feete be
all foure left on. The hynder feete muft be to faften (or hardle as
fome hunters call it) the hanches to the fydes, and the two fore-
feete are left to hang vp the flioulders by.

We vfe fome ceremonie in taking out the flioulder. For firft
he which taketh it out, cuts the thinne fkinof the flefli(when the
Deares fkinne is taken off) round about the legge, a little aboue
the elbowe ioynt. And there he rayfeth out the fynew or mufkle
with his knife, and putteth his forefinger of his left hand, through
vnder the fayd mulkle to hold the legge by. If afterwardes he
touch the flioulder or any part of the legge, with any other thing
than his knyfe, vntill he hauc taken it out, it is a forfayture, and

he is

The hooke of Hunting lis

he is thought to be no handfome woodman. Then with his
Ihoulder knyfe he cuts an hole betweene the legge and the bryf-
ket, and there puts in his knife, and loofeneth the flioulder from
the fyde, going about with his knyfe, neare to the outfide of the
fkynne, vntill he haue quyte taken out the flioulder, and yet lefte
the fkynne of the fyde fayre and whole. And if he doe it not at
three boutes, it is alfo a forfeyture.

We vfe not to take away the bryfket bone, as farre as euer I
coulde fee, but clyue the fydes one from another, diredtly from
the place of afTay, vnto the throate. There is a litle griftle which
is vpon the fpoone of the bryfket, which we cal the Rauens bone,
bycaufe it is caft vp to the Crowes or Rauens whiche attende
hunters. And I haue feene in fome places, a Rauen fo wont and
accuftomed to it, that Ihe would neuer fayle to croake and crye
for it, all the while you were in breaking vp of the Deare, and
would not depart vntill (lie had it. Furthermore, we vfe not to
take the heart from the noombles, but account it a principall part
thereof. And about the winding vp of the noombles, there is alfo
fome arte to be fliewed : But by all likelyhoode, they vfe it not in
Fraunce as we do.

Alfo I can not perceiue by myne Authors wordes that they

make any Arboure, which if they doe not, they may chaunce

to breake vp their Deare but homely fomtimes. But if

they cut away the brifket bone, then it is the lelle

rtquifite, bicaufe they may come at the weafond,

and conuey it away eafily. We vfe to re-

warde our houndes with the paunche,

being emptied firft. Thefe things

of my felfe I haue thought

good to adde, defiring

the reader to take

them in good

parte.

The

1 3 5 The hoohe of Hunting

The vvofuU wordes of the Hart to the Hunter

Since I in deepeft dread, do yelde my (t\^t to Man,
And ftand full ftill betwene his legs, which earfl full wildly ran :
Since 1 to him appeale, when hounds purfue me fore,
As who fliould fay (^Noiu faue me man^for elfe I may no more.)

Why doil thou then [o Alan) {o Hunter) me purl'ue,
With cry of hounds, with blall of home, with hallow, and with hue ?

Or why dolt thou deuife, fuch nets and inltruments,
Such toyles and toycs, as hunters vfe, to bring me to their bents ?

Since

The hooke of Hunting ig-^

Since I (as earfl was fayde) do fo with humble cheare,
Holde downe my head (as who fliould fay, lo Man I yeelde me kere.)

Why arte thou not content, (6 murdrj-ng cruell minde)
Thy felfe alone to hunte me fo, which arte my foe by kynde.

But that thou mult enftrud:, with wordes in fkilfull writte,
All other men to hunte me eke? O wicked wylie witte.

Thou here haft fet to fliew, within this bufie booke,
A looking Glafle of leiTons lewde, wherein all Huntes may looke :

And fo whyles world doth laft, they may be taught to bryng,
The harmelefle Hart vnto his bane, with many a wilye thing.

Is it bycaufe thy minde, doth feeke thereby fome gaynes?
Canft thou in death take fuche delight ? breedes pleafure fo in paynes ?

Oh cruell, be content, to take in worth my ttares,
Whiche growe to gumme, and fall from me : content thee with my heares,

Content thee with my homes, which euery yeare I mew,
Since all thefe three make medicines, fome fickneile to efchew.

My teares congeald to gumme, by peeces from me fall.
And thee preferue from Peltilence, in Pomander or Ball.

Such wholefome teares fliedde I, when thou purfeweft me fo.
Thou (not content) docft feeke my death, and then thou getft no moe.

My heare is medicine burnt, all venemous wormes to kill.
The Snake hirfelfe will yeeld thereto, fuch was my makers will.

My homes (whiche aye renew) as many medicines make
As there be Troches on their Toppes, and all [Man] for thy fake.

As firft they heale the head, from turning of the brayne,
A dramme thereof in powder drunke, doth quickly eafe the payne :

They fkinne a kybcd heele, they fret an angnayle oft!,
Lo thus I iliippe from toppc to toe, yet neyther icorne nor fkoffe.

They comfort Fteuers fayntc, and lingryng long difeafe,
Diftilld when they be tender buddes, they fundry greeucs appeafe :

They mayfter and correct, both humours, hote and colde.
Which ftriue to conqucre bloud : and breede, difeafcs manyfold.

They bryng downe womens termes, and itoppe them to, for neede.
They keepe the mcane tweene both cxtrcemcs, and fcrue bothc turnes in deede:

They cleare the dimmie fight, they kill both webbe and pinne,
They foone reftore the milt or fplcenc, which putrifics within.

L 2 They

158 The hoohe of Hunting

They eafe an akyng Tooth, they breake the rumblyng winde,
Which grypes the wombe with colliques panges, fuch is their noble kinde :

They quenche the fkaldyng fire, which fkorched with his heate,
And fkinne the fkalt full cleane agayne, and heale it trimme and neate.

They poyfon do expell, from Keyfar^ King, or ^lueene^
When it by chaunce or deepe deceypt, is fwallowed vp vnfeene.

But wherefore fpend I time, in vayne at large to prayfe,
The vertues of my harmelelTe homes, which heape my harme alwayes?

And yet fuch homes, fuch heare, fuch teares as I haue tolde,
I mew and call: for mans auayle, more worth to him than golde.

But he to quyte the fame, (0 Murdring Man therevjhyles)
Perfewes me IHU and trappes me ofte, with fundrie fnares and guyles.

Alas lo now I feele colde feare within my bones,
Whiche hangs hyr winges vpon my heeles, to haften for the nones

My fwifteft ftarting fteppes, me thinkes Ihe biddes me byde.
In thickeft Tuftes of couerts clofe, and fo my felfe to hyde.

Ah rewfull remedie, fo fliall I (as it were)
Euen teare my lyfe out of the teeth of houndes whiche make me feare.

And from thofe cruell curres, and brayneficke bauling Tikes,
Which vowe foote hote to foUowe me, bothe ouer hedge and dykes.

Me thinkes 1 heare the Home, whiche rendes the reftlefle ayre.
With flirylleft founde of bloudie blaft, and makes me to defpayre.

Me thinkes I fee the Toyle, the tanglings and the ftall,
Which are prepared and fet full fure, to compaile me withall :

Me thinkes the Fofter ftandes full clofe in buflie or Tree,
And takes his leuell ftreyght and true, me thinkes he fliootes at me.

And hittes the harmelelte Harte, of me vnhappie Harte,
Which muft needes pleafe him by my death, I may it not aftarte.

Ahlas and well away, me thinkes I fee the hunte.
Which takes the meafurc of my Slottes, where I to treade was wont :

Bycaufe I fhall not mifTe, at lall to pleafe his minde,
Ahlas 1 fee him where he feekes my latcll: layre to finde.

He takes my fcwmets vp, and puts them in his home,
Alas me thinkes he leapes for ioye, and laugheth me to fcorne.

Harke, harkc, alas glue earc. This geare goeth luell (fayeth he)
This Harte beares dejHtie venlfon^ in Princes di/fje to be.

Lo'

The hooke of Hunting 13P

Lo now he blowes his home, euen at the kennell dore,
Alas, alas, he blowes a feeke, alas yet blowes he more :

He ieopardes and rechates, ahlas he blowes the Fall,
And foundes that deadly dolefull Mote, whiche I muftedie withall.

What fliould the cruell meane ? perhappes he hopes to finde,
As many medicines me within to fatiffie his minde.

(May be) he feekes to haue my Sewet for himfelfe,
Whiche fooner heales a merrygald, then Pothecaries pelfe.

(May be) his ioyntes be numme, as Synewes flironke with colde.
And that he knowes my Sewet wyll, the lame full foone vnfolde.

(May be) his wife doth feare to come before hyr time,
And in my mawe he hopes to finde, (amongfl: the flutte and (lime)

A Stone to help his wife, that flie may bryng to light,
A bloudie babe lyke bloudie Syre, to put poore Hartes to flight :

Perchance with ficknelTe he hath troubled bene of late.
And with my marow thinketh to reftore his former Hate.

(May be) his hart doth quake, and therefore feekes the bone,
Whiche Huntefmen finde within my heart, when I (poore Hart) am gone.

(It may be) that he meanes my flefhe for to prefent,
Vnto his Prince for delicates, fuch may be his entent.

Yea more than this (may be), he thinkes fuch nouriture.
Will ftill prolong mens daycs on earth, fmce mine fo long endure.

But oh mifchieuous man, although I thee outliue.
By due degrees of age vnfeene, whiche Nature doth me giue :

Muft thou therefore procure my death ? for to prolong
Thy lingryng life in lufVie wife ? alas thou doeft me wrong.

Muft I with mine owne flcflie, his hatcfull fleflie fo feede,
Whiche me difdaynes one bitte of gralTc, or corne in tyme of ncede?

Alas (Ma?/) do not fo, fome other bcaftes go kill,
Whiche worke thy harmc by fundric meanes : and fo content thy will.

Which yeelde thee no fuch gayncs, (in lyfc) as I renew.
When from my head my ftately homes, (to thy behoofe) I mew.

But fmce thou arte vnkindc, vngracious and vniuft,
Lo here I crauc of mightic Gods, whiche are bothc good and iuft :

That Mars may rcygnc with Man, that ftryfc and cruell warre,
May fct mans murdryng minde on worke, with many a bloudy larre.

That

i^o The boohe of Hunting

That drummes with deadly dub, may counteruayle the blaft,
Which they with homes haue blowen ful lowde, to make my minde agaft.

That fliot as thicke as Hayle, may fl-ande for CrofTebowe fliootes,
That Cuyjfesy Greues^ and fuche may ferue, in fteade of Hunters bootes.

That gyrte with fiege full fure, they may theyr toyles repent,
That Emluskadoes ftand for nettes, which they agaynft me bent.

That when they fee a fpie, which watcheth them to trappe.
They may remember ringwalkes made, in herbor me to happe.

That when theyr bufie braynes, are exercifed fo,
Hartes may lie fafe within tlieyr layre, and neuer feare theyr foe.

But if fo chaunce there be, fome daftard dreadful! mome,
Whome Trumpettes cannot well entyfe, nor call him once from home :

And yet will play the man, in killyng harmelefle Deare,
I craue of God that fuch a ghofte, and iuch a fearefull pheare.

May fee Dyana nakt : and (he (to venge hir flcornes)
May foone tranfforme his harmefull head, into my harmelefle homes :

Vntill his houndes may teare, that hart of his in twayne.
Which thus torments vs harmelefTe Harts^ and puttes our hartes to payne.

THus haue you an end of fo much as 1 find meete to be tran-
flated out of mine Author for the Hunting of an Harte :
Wherein 1 haue dealt faithfully for fo much as I tranilated,
neyther takyng any thing from him, nor adding any thing but
that whiche I haue plainely exprefifed, together with the reafons
that moued me therevnto. And that which I haue left out is no-
thing elfe but ccrtayne vnfeemely verfes, which bycaufe they are
more apt for lafciuious mindcs, than to be enterlaced amongft
the noble termcs of Venerie, I thought mecte to leaue them at
large, for fuch as will reade them in French.

An ende of the Huntyng and Termes ixikkh are
vfed in hunting the Harte,

Of

The hooke of Hunting i^i

Of the hunting of the Bucke. Chap. 44

ALthough mine Audhor were a Frenchman, and in Fraunce
jTXthe hunting of the Bucke is nothing fo common as the
hunting of the Harte is, yet fomewhat he hath written thereof,
the which (together with Ibme experience of mine owne) I haue
thought good here to place next vnto the hunting of the
Harte.

It is needelefife to write what difference of heare, head, and

other proportions, there are betweene the Harte and the Bucke,

fmce bothe kindes of Venerie are common inough in this our

noble Countrie. The Bucke is fawned in the end of May, and

hath all properties common with an Harte, but that the Harte

goeth fooner to the Rut, and is fooner in greace : for when a Hart

hath bene .xiiii. dayes at Rut, then the Bucke doth but fcarcely

beginne : there is not fo muche fkill to be vfed in lodgyng of a

Bucke, as in harboring of a Harte, nor needeth to vfe fomuch

drawing after him : but onely to iudge by the view and marke

what groue or couert he goeth into, for he will not wander nor

royle fo farre aboute as a Harte, nor change layre fo often : and

yet we vfe here in England to lodge the Bucke as wee vfe to

harbor the Harte, for the Bucke is much commoner with vs than

the Harte. He maketh his fewmifliing in fundrie maners and

formes as the Harte dothe, according to the feazon of the feede

that he findeth, but moft commonly they are round : when they are

hunted they flie into fuch ftrong couertes as they haue bene moll

accuftomcd vnto, and neuer flee fo farre before the houndes, nor

double, crofTc, nor vfe fuche and fo many fubtile policies as an

Harte doth. For he turneth backe vpon the houndes oftentimes,

and efcheweth the high wayes as muche as he may, cfpccially in

the open playnes : he is fometimes killed at Soyle as an Harte

doth, and will beate a Brooke or Riuer, but not fo craftely nor

can fo long endure therein, nor dare take fuche great riuers and

waters as the Harte will, he leapeth lightlicr at the Rut than an

Harte, and groyncth as an Harte bellowcth, but with a bafcr

voyce ratlyng in the throte : the Harte and he loue not one another,

but

1^2, The boohe of Hunting

but do one of them efchewe anothers layre : they are fweeter of
Sent vnto the houndes than the Harte or the Rowdeare, and yet
fome thinke that the Rowe is the fweeteft chafe that is, but at
leaft theyr flefli is more delicate : and therefore if a hounde haue
once fedde thereon, he will loue it aboue all other chafes. The
venyfon of a Bucke is very dayntie, good meate, and is to be dref-
fed (in manner) lyke to the venyfon of an Harte : but the Hartes
fleflie wilbe longer preferued : the Bucke will hearde more than
the Harte, and lieth in the dryeft places : but if he be at large
out of a Parke, he will heard but little from the moneth of May,
vntill the end of Auguft, or very neare, bycaufe the flie troubleth
him : they loue the hilly places well, but they mufle haue dales
and bottomes to ^eede in : wee hunte the Bucke euen as wee
hunte the Harte : fauyng that it is not needefuU to lay fo many
relayes, nor to lay out fo farre. Bycaufe he fleeth not fo farre
out, but wheeleth and keepeth the couert as is before declared.
The greateft fubtiltie that a huntefman hath neede to beware
of in huntyng the Bucke, is to keepe his houndes from huntyng
counter or chaunge, bycaufe we haue plentie of Fallow deare,
and they come oftener diredly backe vpon the houndes than a
redde deare doth : the breakyng vp and rewarde are all one with
the breakyng vp and reward of an Harte.

Of the hunting of a Rowe. Chap. 45*

THe Rowe is a beaft well knowen and eafie to hunte, and
yet fewe huntefmen know his nature : he goeth to Rut in
Odrober : and remayncth therein fiftene dayes, he neuer com-
panieth but with one make, and they neuer part vntil the Row-
doe haue fawned. Then the Doe parteth from the Buck and faw-
neth as farre from him as Ihe can, for if he finde it, he will kill
the fawne : but when the fawne is great that he can runne and
feede, then the Doe returneth to the bucke and accompanieth with
him againe louingly. Yea and they will make afmuch hafte to
rcturne togcthers as may be, the caufe whereof is y* a Row doe doth
moft commonly fawne two at once : and they be commonly alfo
bucke and Doe, fo that being accuftomed togcthers in youth, they

do

The bcohe of Hunting 143

do loue to keepe company euer after. Some Row doe hath bin
killed with fiue fawnes in hyr bodie at once, which is a ftrange
thing in fo fmal a beaft. And here I thought good to note vnto
you that a fawne of a Rowe, is called the firft yeare a Kidde : the
fecond a Gyrle : the third yeare an Hemufe : the fourth a Rowe
bucke of the firft head : and the fifth yeare a Rowebucke and no
more. Aflbone as a Rowebucke commeth from Rut he cafleth his
homes, and few of them after they be pafi: e two ycares olde, do
fayle to mew at Alhollantide : their heades grow out againe ve-
ry quickly for they fray them commonly in March : you may hunt
him at all times alike, for his venyfon is neuer fat, nor neuer out
of feafon : they hide their heads in mofle, when they haue caft and
mewed them : all the fauour that flioulde be fliewed vnto the
Rowe deare, is vnto the Does when they are with fawne, and
vntil their fawnes be able to liue without them. They make mar-
uelous good chafe and ftand vp long, and flee farre endwayes,
and their fleflie is good meatc : you ihall hardly know them ey-
ther by their foote or fcwmettes : they fee not very perfectly, nor
beare any great venifon : that is to fay, they be not very fat, vn-
Icfle it be inwards : their kidneyes will fometimes be hidde with
fat, and then are they in great pryde of greace. When they are
hunted they turne much and come often directly backe vpon the
dogges, and when they may no more endure, they flee to the wa-
ter, and beate the water like an Harte, wherein they will hang
by fome bough all vnder the water but their very fnowte, and wil
neuer Itirre vntill a man or a hounde come euen vpon them : he
keepeth in the ftrong thickets, and commonly in the higheft
groundcs : fometimes alfo in the playnes but that very feldome.
The Rut of a Rowe deare is properly (amongft hunters) cal-
led his turne, as to fay the Rowe goeth in his Tourne. His crof-
fings and doublings before the houndes are called Trafo-
n'lngs. He is not called a greate Rowebucke, but a fayrc Row-
bucke : the heard of them is called a Beauic : if he haue Beauie
greace vpon his tayle when you brcake him vp, then is he veni-
fon : othcrwife he is meeter for to be giuen whole to the houndes
than to be drcflcd for your dillie : the hounds mulle be rewarded

with

144 '^^■'^ boohe of Hunting

with the bowels, the bloud, and the feete flit in funder and boy-
ied altogether, it is not called a rewarde but a dole : of all other
things neceflarie to be vnderftoode for the huntyng of a Row-
deare, I haue fufficiently fpoken in the hunting of an Harte, and
the hunting of a Bucke.

Of the Raynedeare. Chap. \6

THe Raynedeare is a beaft like vnto an Harte, but great di-
uerfitie in their heades, for a Raynedeares head, is fuller of
antlyers and much bigger and wyder in compalTe : he beareth
foure and twentie braunches or more, according to his age : he
hath a great pawme on the Toppe like a Harte : and his antliers
before are pawmed alio : he flieth endwayes when he is hunted
by reafon of the great weight of his head : but when he hath lloode
vp a great whyle and hath eroded, doubled, and vfed all his pol-
licies, then he fettes his backe and haunches agaynft Ibme Tree
that no thing may alTayle him but onely before, and holdes his
head lowe to the grounde : and then fewe dare come neare him,
and his head couereth all his bodie. If any man come in to helpe
the houndes behinde him, then whereas a Harte will ftrike with
his antlyer, he ftriketh with his feete, but not lb great a blowe,
yet he wilbe fure neuer to turne his head, for that is hischiefe de-
fence : He is terrible to fee bothe for hounde and greyhounde by
reafon of his great huge head, he is not much higher than a bucke,
but he is greater and thicker : when he rayfeth vp his head, it is
much wider and broder than his bodie is : he feedeth lyke a Hart,
and maketh his fcwmets, Ibmetimes round and fometimes flat,
he liueth very long, and is killed with houndes, bowes, nettes,
and other fuch engines : he beareth fatter venifon when he is in
pryde of greace than any other Dcare doth : he goeth to Rut af-
ter the Harte like a flxllow Dcare, and fawncth like as other
dearc fawne : he is feldome hunted at force, nor with houndes,
but onely drawen after with a bloudhound and foreftalled with
nettes and engines, and that in the thicke and greateft holdes if
you can, for fo Ihall you fooneft ouercome him by reafon of his

great

The hooke of Hunting 145-

great head whiche combreth him. I will treate no more of him,
bicaufe I do not remember that I euer heard of any in this our
Realme of England : it may be that there be feme in Ireland:
And therefore I thought not amifTe thus to place him araongft
the beaftes of Venerie, although he be not here in vie.

The hunting of the wild Goate. Chap. 47

THere are two fortes of wilde Goates, the one are called euen
fo, wild Goates : and that ether forte is called Tfarus or Sa-
ris. And although I haue not heard or redde that there be any of
them in England, or at leall any that be hunted, yet bycaufe it
may be well ynough that there are fome in Wales or in other
Mountaynes, 1 haue thought good to fet downe the nature of
him, and the manner of hunting of him, as I founde it in mine
Audhor, placing him amongft the beafts of Venerie, fmce it ap-
peareth by the holy Scriptures that his fleflie is Venifon. The
wilde Goate is as bigge as an Harte, but he is not fo Jong, nor
fo long legged, but they haue as much tiefhe as the Harte hath,
they haue wreathes and wrinkles on their homes whereby their
age is knowen : for fo many yeares old as he is, fo many wreaths
you fliall finde about his home : and as a Harte meweth and ca-
fteth his head, fo doth the wilde Goate mew his wreathes and re-
new them, but he meweth not the beame, the whiche is as bigge
as a mans legge if he be an old Goate. They haue a great long
beard, and are brownifli grey of colour like vnto a Wolf, and very
fliaggie, hauing a blacke lift all alongft the chyne of their backe,
and downe to theyr bcUie is fallow, their legges blacke, and their
tayle fallowe : their fcete are like the feete oF a tame Goate : the
print and tracke wherof is great broade and rounde, rather bigger
than the Slot of an Harte : theyr bones be accordyng to the big-
nede of a tame Goate, but fomwhat greater ; they are fawned ni
May, and fawnc as a Hinde or Doe, but they haue but one fawne
at once, the which they iucklc and bryng vp as the tame Goate
bringeth vp hir kidde. Their fcede is of corne and graffe as other
Deare feede : but they will eate luie, mode and fuchc like fcede

that

1^5 The hoohe of Hunting

that is harde, better than any other Deare. In fpring they
make their fewmets rounde, but afterwardes they make them
broder and flatte, as a Harte doth when he comes to good feede.
There is iudgem^ent to be taken by their fewmets, either round or
flatte, euen as there is of an Harte : they go to Rut about Alhal-
lantide, and abide therin a moneth : when their Rut is paft they
put themfelues in heards and come downe from the mountaynes and
rockes, where they abide al the Sommer : and that afwel to efchew
the Snow, as alfo bicaufe they find no foode on the mountaynes
any longer : and yet they come not very lowe into the playnes,
but keepe about the foote of the mountaynes, and there feeke foode
vntil it be towards Eafter : then they returne to the mountaines,
and euery one of them takes him to his holde or ftrongeffc couert
vpon the rockes and cragges, euen as the Hartes keepe the thickes.
Then the he Goates part from the female (which are called Geats,
and the buckes Goates) and the Geats drawe neare to fome little
brooke or water to fawne, and to abide there al the fommer. When
the Goates be fo parted from the Geats, attending vntill the time
of their Rut returne, they runne vpon either man or beafts whiche
pafle by them, and fight one with another as Hartes do, but not
altogether a like : for thefe make an vnpleafant noyfe, and they hurt
fore with their blowes, not with the endes of their homes, but
with the middeft and Butte of their head : in fuch forte that they do
oftentimes breake a mans legge or his arme at a blowe : and though
he woundeth not with his blowe, yet if he beare a man agaynft a
tree or a banke, he will furely kill him : and fuche force hath he
alfo in the chyne of his backc, that though a man (how ftrong fo-
euer he be) ftiould ftrike him with a barre of yron ouerthwarte
the reynes, he will go on and ncuer flirinke at it. When he go-
eth to Rut, his throte and necke is maruclous great: he hath fuch
a propertic that although he fall tenne poles length downe from
an high, he will take no hurte thereby : and he goeth as furely
vpon the toppe of a rocke, as a Horfe will go in an high way.
They clime marueloufly for theyr feede, and fometimes they fal,
then can they not hold with their feete, but thruft out their heads
againfl the rockes and hang by their homes vntill they haue re-

couered

The boohe of Hunting 147

couered themfelues vp againe. That kinde of them which is called
Xfarui or Saris ^ is of like proportion to this which I haue already
defcribed, and is not much bigger than the tame Goate. His na-
ture and properties are (in maner) all one with the wilde Goate.
Sometimes he would ri<rat his thyghes with his foote, and thru-
fteth his hoofes in fo farre,that he cannot draw them backe againe,
but falleth and breaketh his necke, for his hoofes of his feete are
crooked, and he thrufteth them farre into the fkinne, and then they
will not come out agayne. When they come from their feede,they
go to the rockes and lie vpon the hardeft places that they can finde.
The Gawle both of this forte and that other, is very good for fi-
newes that be flirunke vp, when they are great and old, they are but
too too fat venyfon, efpecially within the bodie. The Geates haue
homes like the Goates in all refpedes, but not fo great : bothe
fortes of them haue their feason and greace time, like vnto theHart
goyng to Rut at Alhallantide : then you may hunte them vntill
theyr Rutting time come, for in winter they are very leane, fee-
ding vpon nothing but Pynes and Fyrretrees, or fuch other woodes
as are alwayes greene, howe little nouriture foeuer they yeelde.
Their leather is warme when it is curried in feafon, for ncyther
cold nor rayne will pearce it, if the hearie fide be outwards ; their
fleflie is not very holefome, but breedeth the feuer through the a-
bundant heate that is in it : neuerthelelTe when they are in feafon,
the venifon of them is rcafonable delicate to eate.

How to hunte the wilde Goates. Chap. 48

THe beft time to hunt the wilde Goate, is at Alhallontide, and
the huntefman mufte lie by night in the high mountaynesin
fomc fliepcheardes cabane, or fuch cottage : and it were good that
heJay fo fcuen or eight dayes before he mcane to hunte,tofecthead-
uantagcs of the coail:es,the Rockes, and places where the goates do
lie, and all fuch other circumllanccs: and let him fetnettcsandtoyles,
or forclfallings, towards the riuers and bottomes, cucn as he would
do for an Harte : for he may not looke y* his houndcs will folow y^
Goate downe euery place of y® mountaines, if he haue not hewers

nor

1^8 The hooke of Hunting

nor Huntefmen ynow to fet rounde aboute : then let him place
his companions on the toppes of the Rockes, that they may throw
downe ftones, and ilioote with CrofTebowes at the Goates : a
Huntefman iliall feeke them and draw after them with his bloud-
hounde, euen as he doth after an Harte, and then call: off foure or
fiue couple of houndes to maynteyne the crie, and fliall make three
or foure relayes to refrefli thole houndes which are firft calb off:
for when his houndes haue once or twice climed vp the Moun-
taynes and cliffes, they wil be so bote and fo fore fpent, that they
can hunte no longer 5 then the Goate goeth downe to the fmall
brookes or waters in the bottomes, and therfore at fuch places it
llialbe beft fetting of relayes, and let the relayes neuer tarie vn-
till the houndes come in, whiche were firfl: caft off, for it wilbe
long fometimes before they come in : and yet there are fome lu-
ftie yong houndes which will neuer giue ouer a Goate nor fuf-
fcr him to take Soyle. This chafe requireth no great Arte nor
following, neyther can a man follow on foote nor on horfebacke.
The beft help is in the Relayes which flialbe fet in the bottoms,
and for the reward, it may be done at pleafure and deuife of the
Huntefman, alwayes prouided that he rewarde not the houndes
with the beft morlelles.

Oi the wilde Bore, his properties, and

the maner of hunting at

him. Chap. 49

"Auing defcribed the hunting of an Harte, and al other deare

.according to my fimple l"kill, I haue thought good to fet

downe here a little treatyfe of the huntyng at the wilde Bore,

Jet our Try- and of his properties, although he ought not to be coumpted a-

^TT'^B^ mongft the Bcafts of Vencrie which are chafable with houndes,

for one of the foi" hc is the propcr pray of a Maftif and fuch like dogges, for af-

foure beafts of much as hc is a hcauie bcaft, and of greate force, trufting and afty-

Venenc. jj^g himfclf in his Tufkes and his ftrength, and therefore will not

fo lightly flee nor make chafe before houndes, fothat you cannot

(by hunting of the Bore) know y® goodncffc or fwiftnefie of them,

and

H;

The hooie of Hunting 14P

and therewithal! to confefle a truth, I thinke it grcate pitie to
hunte (with a good kenell of houndes) at fuch chafes : and that for
fuch reafons and confiderations as followe.

Firft he is the only beaft which can difpatch a hounde at one
blow, for though other beaftes do bite^ fnatch, teare, or rende your
houndes, yet there is hope of remedie if they be well attended :
but if a Bore do once ftrike your hounde and light betweene
the foure quarters of him, you fliall hardly fee him efcape : and
therewithal! this fubtiltie he hath, that if he be runne with a good
kenell of houndes, which he perceyueth holde in rounde and fol-
lowe him harde, he will flee into the ftrongeft thicket that he
can finde, to the ende he may Idll them at leyfure one after an-
other, the whiche I haue feene by experience oftentimes. Anda-
mongft others I fawe once a Bore chafed and hunted with fif-
tie good houndes at the leaft, and when he fawe that they were
all in full crie, and helde in rounde togethers, he turned heade
vpon them, and thruft amiddeft the thickeft of them. In fuche
forte that he flewe fometimes fixe or feuen (in manner) with
twinklyng of an eye : and of the fiftie houndes there went not
twelue founde and aliue to their Mafters houfes. Agayne if a
kcnnell of houndes be once vfed to hunte a Bore, they will be-
come lyther, and will neuer willingly hunte fleing chafes a-
gayne. For afmuche as they are (by him) accuftomed to hunte
with more eafe, and to find great Sent. For a Bore is a beaft of
a very hote Sent, and that is contrarie to light fleing chafes,
which are hunted with more payne to the hounde, and yet there-
with do not leaue fo greate Sent. And for thcfe caufes who fo
euer meaneth to haue good houndes for an Hartc, Hare, or Row-
deare, let him not vfe them to hunte the Bore : but fince men are
of fundrie opinions, and loue to hunte fuche chafes as lie moftc
commodioufly aboutc their dwelling places, I will here de-
fcribe the propcrtie of the Bore, and howe they may hunte him.
And the manner of killing him either with the fwordc or Bore-
fpeare, as you fliall alfo fee it fet out in portrayture hereafter in
his place.

Of

ij-o The hooke of Hunting

Of the nature and fubtiltie of the
Bore. Chap. yo.

THe Bore is of this nature, that when his Dame dothe pigge
him, he hath as many teeth, as cuer he will haue whyles he
liueth, neyther will their teeth any way multiplie or encreafe
but onely in greatnelTe and length. Amongft the refte they
haue foure, whiche (with the Frenchmen) are called Defences :
and we call them Tufkes or Tufches, whereof the two higheft
do not hurte when he ftriketh, but ferue onely to whet the other
two loweft : but with thofe lower Tullces, they ftryke mar-
ueloufly and kill oftentymes : if a Bore happen to haue his eyes
blemiflied, or to hurte them daungeroufly, he will heale agayne
very foone. A Bore may Hue fiue and twentie, or thirtie yeares:
it is eafier to bryng them into a Soyle in Aprill or in Maye,
than in any other feafon : and that is bycaufe they fleepe found-
Iyer in thofe two moneths than at any other tyme of the yeare :
for afmuch as they feede then vppon ftrong hearbes and buddes
of trees, which do fo moiften their braynes that they become very
fleepy. Againe the fpring time reneweth their bloud, which ma-
keth them fleepe the more foundly. They go to Rut aboute the
moneth of December, and their great heate endureth neare about
three weckes. And although their Sowes become colde agayne
and couet not the Bore, yet do not the Bores parte from them
vntill it be lanuarie, then they withdraw themfelues vnto their
holdcs, wherein they keepe clofe fometimes three or foure dayes
together and neuer come out, efpecially when they haue founde
the Fcarnc, and do finde fweetenefle in the roote of the Fearne.
Sometimes a Bore will wander farre out of the Forreites or
thicke couerts to feeke feeding : efpecially in time of the vintage
in fuche Countries as wine is made : and wherefoeuer they be-
come when day appcareth, there will they abyde without refpedt
of the place. It fuffifeth if they finde but fome tuftte of thornes
or brambles, and there will they lie vntill it be night agayne :

they

The hooke of Hunting i^-i

they harken earneftly and will heare a man very farre off, efpe-
cially when they be vnder the winde, but if they be vp the winde,
heare not greatly. They lyue and feede vpon all kinde of Come
and Frutes, as Apples, Peares, Plummes, Akehorncs, Chell-
nuttes, Beechmafte, and fuche lyke, and of all fortes of rootesal-
fo, unlefife it be Rapes and Nauie rootes. Alfo in Apryll and
May they feede on the buddes of Plumtrees, and Cheftnut trees,
and all other fweete buddes that they can finde, efpecially vpon
the buddes of broome and luniper, they will feede on no carion
vnlefTe it be of a deade Horfe : they neuer become fowle or me-
fled (as wee terme it) lyke vnto our tame Swyne. When they
are in the mariflies, they feede and lyue vppon water CrefTeys,
wilde Garlyke, and fuche hearbes as they can finde. Beyng
neare to the Sea coafte, they will feede vppon all kinde of lliel-
fidies, as Cockles, Mufkles, Oyftcrs, and fuche lyke. Their fea-
fon beginneth in the middeft of September, and endeth aboute
the beginnyng of December when they go to the Rutte : com-
monly a Bore wyll abyde the baye before he go out of his
denne, and they lie mofte commonly in the ftrongell holdes
of Thornes, and thicke Bullies : and when they are hunted
they fticke alio in the ftrongeft couertes, and will feldome Icaue
them vntill it be darke night. And if it chaunce that there be a
Sownder of them together, then if any one break e Sownder,
the rcfbe will followe the fame way. The Bore dothe fooner
forfake the hollow Forreftes to feeke fbrong couerts, than the
Harte dothe : therevpon it hath bene fpoken in Prouerbe, that
a Bore is but a geft : and if a Bore be in a thicke or Ibong
couert, beyng come thyther from a hollow woode or Forreft,
then if you hunte him, he will not fayle to go backe by the
fame way that he came thether : and when focucr they are once
reared, they flee continually and neuer flay vntill they come to the
place where they were farrowed and brought vp, for there they
thinkc themfelucs in fafcgarde. This haue 1 scene by experience by
a Bore, whiche hath come from his accuftomcd dcnne to feeke
feede, and beyng hunted he went immediately and diredtly backe
TURB. VEN. M ai^aine

1^1 The hoohe of Hunting

agayne the fame way that he came vnto a Foreft which was fe-

uen Frenche leagues from the place where he was reared : and

all the way I might finde the olde tracke of his feete whiche he

made as he came thether. True it is, that if he chaunce to bee

hunted in a Forcfl or holde where he was bredde, then he will

hardly parte out of it for any force. Sometimes he will feeme to

take head as though he would go out, and will drawe to the

outfides of the woode : but there he will Itande and harken on

euery fide : and if he heare the houndes folow him or any noyfe,

then will he quickly turne backe, and for any force that the

houndes or Huntefmen can make, he will not be driuen that

way agayne vntill it be night : but beyng once broken out of a

Forefb, and hauing taken head once endwayes, he will not be

put out of his waye neyther with Dogge, JVIan, voyce, blow-

yng, nor any thing. A Bore will not crie when you kill him :

efpecially a great Bore : but the Sowes and yong Swine will

crie fometimes : in fleyng before the houndes, he neyther dou-

bleth nor croffeth, nor vfeth fuche fubtilties nor pollicies, as o-

ther chafes do, for he is heauie and flowe, and therefore the

houndes are ftill in with him. I finde written in an auncient

Au(5thor, that a man may knowe the age of a Bore by his legge,

on the whiche there be many little pleytes or wrincles : and fo

many of thofe wryncles as he hath, fo many yeares olde he is.

But for mine owne opinion I iudge by the head, by the tufkes,

and by the foote. The wilde Swine farrowe but one litter in a

yeare : a Bore is mofte fierce and hardie, and will fooneft runne

vppon a man to ftryke at him, when he feedeth vppon Fearne,

and Bechemafte, muche fooner than when they feede

vpon Acornes or fome other mafte. A yong Bore

when he is but three yeares olde, flioulde not

be Hunted at force, for he is light and

will ftand vp longer before your

houndes, than a yong Deare

woulde do when he is

firfte an Harte

of tenne.

(...) Of

The loo'ke of Hunting 173

Oi the termes and wordes which are to be vsed
in hunting of the Bore. Chap. 5-1

ALthough in rehearfall of the hunting of an Harte, I haue
XjL Somewhat touched and rehearfed alfo the termes of Venerie,
which are to be vfed in hunting of the Bore : yet haue I thought
good heere to write them more at large, for the better vnderftan-
ding of all fuch as loue hunting.

Firft if a man fliould be demaunded by an olde huntefman,
what he would call a young Bore when he commeth into the
thirde yeare of his age, he fliall fay that he is a yong Bore which
hath lately left the Sounder : for a Bore will neuer leaue the
Sounder, vntill he be three yeares at the leaft. The nexte
yeare he fliall call him a Bore. The next yere after a Sanglier,
which we (by corruption) haue called a Synguler in Tryfirams
precepts. And fo fbrewardes, euen as you fay an Harte of tenne
chafeable or to be runne : you maye likewife fay a Bore of fbure
yeares olde without refufe. If you would name a great olde
fwyne, you may call him a Bore, or a Sanglier, which lefte the
Sounder foure or fiue yeares fmce : or a fwyne Royall. In ma-
king of a report, if you be demaunded where the Bore hath bene
to fcede the night before, you may anfwere he fed in the fieldes or
in the meades, or in the corne. But if youpcrceiue that he haue
bin in any mcdow, or corne clofe, then fhall you fay that he hath
bene rovvting or worming in fuche a fielde or medowe. And if
peraduenture he haue bene by night in fome Parke, or in fome
tuft of Fearne, then fliall you fay, he hath rowted the Fearne, or
he hathe broken into the Parke ; for you muft vnderftande, that
what fo euer he fcede on (but fearne and rootes) is called feeding:
but when he feedeth on fearne or rootes, then is it called rowting
or fcarning, or (as fome call it) worming : bycaufe when he doth
but a little turne vp the grounde with his nofe, he fecketh for
wormcs. So may you fay that he hath bene mowfmg, when
he hath broken into any Barne, or Grayner of a Farme to fceke
corne, or Akorncs, Peafe, or fuch like. And when he feedeth in a

M X clofe

ij-^ The hooke of Hunting

clofe and rowteth not, then fhall you fay he grafeth : thefe termes
you maye vfe in making report of a Bore.

The iudgement whereby you may know a great
Bore, and firft by the foote. Chap. 5-2

COmmonly a man maye knowe an olde Bore or a great
fwyne, by the foote where he hath gone, whereof the print or
forme ought to be great and large, the toes rounde and thicke,
the edge of his hoofe worne and blunt, without cutting or paring
the grounde, fo much as a younger fwyne doth : the heele great,
the gardes (which are his hinder clawes or dewclawes) fhould
be great and open one from another, vpon the which he beareth
and ftayeth him all the waye when he goeth vpon harde
ground : his footing behynde fhould be troden fidewardes, and
more outwardes than his forefeete, to fliewe the thicknesse be-
tweene his thyghes. The pleytes or wrincles which are be-
tweene his heele and dewclawes, fhould leaue print or forme on
the ground, fhewing the ftifnefTe and thickne0e of his haire : his
fteppes great and long, the treading of his foote fliould be deepe
and great, to fliewe the weightinelTe of his body.

The iudgement by his rowtings. Chap. 5-3

WHen a Bore rowteth in a hedge, for a roote (which fome
cal the Parke) then may you perceiue the greatneffe and
length of his head, by the depthe and largenefle of his rowting.
So may you alfo knowe in foft places where he wormeth, or in
fuch other places.

The iudgement by the foyle. Chap. ^4

WHen he foyleth and walloweth him in the myre, then is
it eafie to know his grctnefic, by the length and largenefle
of the foyle. Or elfe at his departure from the Ibyl, you may per-
ceiue it where he hath gone into fome thicke, by the leaues and
braunches which he fliall touch: for he goct'i out of the foyle all

mycrie

The hooke of Hunting i^s

myerie and dyrtie, the which will leaue markes vpon the leaues
and branches, of his heigthjthicknefTe, (Sec. Sometimes when he
commeth out of the foyle, he will rub him againft a tree, by the
which you may fee his heigth : and alfo he will commonly giue
two or three biowes with his tufkes vpon the tree, as it were the
ftabs of a dagger, whereby the huntefman may take iudgement
and knowledge as well of his heigth, as alfo of the greatnefle of
his tufkes. You may knowe and iudge alfo by his denne : for a
great Bore when he is at pryme of his greace, wil make his den
deepe : and at his going out thereof, will make his lefTes (which
is his ordure) and by the greatnefle and length thereof you maye
iudge the Bore. Thefe lefles flial neuer be brought to an alTem-
bly, but let the huntfman content himfelfe with the fight of them
in places where he findeth them.

The difference betwene wilde Swyne, and
our hogges. Chap, ss

THe difference betwene wylde fwyne and our hogs is great,
and that in fundry relpeds. Firft they are commonly blacke,
or grifled and ftreaked with blacke : whereas oures are whyte,
fanded, and of all coloures. Therewithall the wylde fwyne in
their gate, doe alwayes fet the hinderfoote within the forefoote, or
very ncare, and ftay them fclues more vpon the toe than vpon the
hcele, lluitting their clawes before clofe : and commonly they llrike
their gardes (which are their dewclawes) vpon the grounde, the
which fway outwards : and the fides of their hoofs do cut and pare
the ground, the which our fwyne do not, for they fpreade and open
their foreclawes, leaning ground betwene them : and they be com-
monly round and worne, leaning and ftaying more vpon the heele
than vpon the toe. Againe, they fet not their hinderfoote within
their forefoote, and their gards fall ftraight vpon the ground and
neuer Ihoylc or leane outwards : and they do beate down and foyle
y<'ground,and cut it not. Alfo the foalc of their fecte isflelhy, and
makcth no plaine print vpon the ground as the wilde fwine do.
There is likcwife great difference in their rowtings : for a wild
fwine doth rowt deeper, bicaufc his fnowt is longer : and when

they

ij-(5 The hooke of Hunting

they come into corne fieldes they follow a furrow, rowting and
worming all alongft by fome balke, vntill they come to the end.
But tame fwyne rowte heere and there all about the fielde, and
neuer followe their rowting as the wylde fwyne do. Likewife
you may know them by the difference of their feedings in corne
growne ; for the wilde fwyne beare downe the corne rounde
about them in one certaine place, and tame fwyne feede fcatte-
ring here and there.

The difFerence betweene the male, and
the female. Chap, yd

ALthough fome hunters holde opinion, that there is small
J^^iudgement to be taken of the difference betweene male
and female, being yong fwyne that yet do keepe the founder :
Yet haue I obferued diuers differences in my time, whereby
you may knowe the male from the female, yea were they but
pigges of a yeare olde following the dammes, whereof I will
fliewe myne opinion in this fort. The male pigges following
the damme, doe commonly fcatter fiirther abroade than the fe-
males doe, and will nouzle and turne vp the grounde tenne or
twelue paces further of from their dammes than the females do,
and that (thinke I) is bycaufe they are hardier than the females
are, for they followe the damme as clofe as they can, and dare
not fcatter abroade as the males do. You may iudge them alfo
by their gate, for euerie male pigge or hogge, goeth broder with
his hinder legges than the female do: and commonly they fet the
tracke or print of the hinder foote, vpon the outer fide of the print
of the forefoote, by reafon of the thickneffe that he beares betwene
the thyghes more than the female, for the female is leaner be-
twene the legges, and goeth clofer in hir gate. You may alio
knowe them by their gardes, for the male hath them commonly
greater, and nearer to his heele than the female, whiche beareth
them high, fhort, and loofe, one being neare vnto an other, and
therefore Ihe fbriketh not hir gardes on the grounde fo often as
the male doth, yea though flie doe, the print of them is but fmall

and

The hoohe of Hunting i_j-7

and fleight, and fpoyleth not outwards like the male. Alfo com-
monly the female hath not fo great an heele as the male, and
hath hir clawes longer and (harper before, and openyng wyder
than the male. Alfo the foales of hir hinder feete, are lefTer and
ftraighter than the males be.

Howe to hunt the Bore with houndes
at force. Chap. 5-7

YOu fhall not by your wil hunt a yong Bore of three yeares
at force. For he will ftand vp as long or longer than a light
yong Deare, which beareth but three in the toppe. But when he
is in his fourth yeare, then maye you hunt him at force, euen as
well as an Hart of tenne : and yet he will ftande vp rather longer.
Wherfore if a huntfman do goe to reare a Bore of foure yeares
olde, he fliall do well to marke well whether he went timely to
his den or not. For commonly thefe Bores which tarie till it be
day light before they go into their couches or dennes, following
their pathes or ways long time, efpecially where they find feme
or bcchemaft, whervpon they feede, are great murtherers of dogs,
and verie hardy. The huntfman fliall not neede to be afrayde to
come ouer neare vnto fuch a Bore for rearing of him, for he will
not likely be reared for him. But if he find of a Bore which foy-
leth oftentimes, and which routeth now here, and now there, neuer
ftaying long vpon one place, then is it a token that he hath bene
fcarred, and withdraweth himfelf to fome relfing place at al ad-
uentures. And fuch bores moft commonly come to their dens,
couches, or holds, two or three houres before day. Then let the
huntfman beware for comming ouer neare to them, for if they once
finde him in the winde, or haue the wynde of his hounde, they
will be gone, and he fliall hardely come neare them agayne, nor
finde them. If a Bore meane to tarie and abyde in his dcnne,
couche, or fort, then maketh he Ibme doubling, or crolTing at the
entrie tlxrcof vppon fome highe way or beaten pathc, and then
goeth into his holde, to lay him downe in his couche or denne :
and by fuch mcancs a huntfman being carely in the woods, may
iudgc the I'ubtlctie or craft of the Bore, and according to that

which

T5-8 The hoohe of Hunting

which he fliall perceiue, he maye prepare to hunt with houndes
which are hote or temperate. For if it be a great Bore, and one
that hath lyne long at reft, he fliall do well to hunte him with
houndes that will fticke to him : and let the huntfmen on horfe-
backe be euer araongeft them, charging the Bore, and forcing
him as muche as they maye to difcourage him : for if you hunte
fuche a Bore with foure or fyue couple of houndes, he will make
fmall account of them, and when they haue a little chafed
nim, he will take courage, and keepe them ftyll at Bayes, run-
ning vpon any thing that he feeth before him : but if he perceiue
him felfe charged and hard layd vnto with houndes and huntef-
men, then he will become aftonyed, and lofe courage, and then
he is enfo''ced to flee and to feeke the cuntrey abroad. You muft
fet Relayes alfo, but that mufte be of the ftauncheft and beft olde
houndes of the kennell : for if you flioulde make your Relayes
with young houndes, and fuche as are fwyfte and raflie, then
when a Bore is any thing before the reft of the houndes in chace,
he might eafily kyll them in their furie, at their firft comming
in to him. But if he be a Bore whiche is accuftomed to flee end-
wayes before the houndes, and to take the champayne countrey,
then you fliall caft of but foure or fyue couple of houndes at the
firft, and fet all the reft at Relayes, about the entrie of the fieldes
where you thinke likely that he will flee. For fuche a Bore will
fildome keepe houndes at a Baye, vn'efTe he be forced : and if
he do ftande at Baye, the huntefmen muft ryde in vnto him as
fecrctely as they can without muche noyfe, and when they be
neare him, let them caft rounde about the place where he ftan-
deth, and runne vpon him all at once, and it fliall be harde if they
giue him not one fkotch with a fworde, or fome wounde with
a Borefpeare : and let them not ftryke lowc, for then they fliall
commonly hit him on the fnoute, bycaufe he watchethto take ail
blowcs vpon his Tufkes or there aboutes. But let them lift vp
their handcs hygh, and ftryke right downe : and let them beware
that they ftryke not towardes their horfes, but that other waye :
For on that lidc that a Bore feeleth him fclfc hurte, he turncth
hcade ftrayght waycs, whereby he might the fooner hurt or kyll

their

The hooke of Hunting i_yp

their horfes, if they ftroke towardes them. And if they be in the
playne, then ]et caft a cloake about their horfes, and they maye
the better ryde about the Bore, and ftryke at hym as they paffe :
but ftaye not long in a p'ace. It is a certayne thing experi-
mented and founde true, that if you hang belJes vpon collers
about your houndes neckes, a Bore will not fo foone ftryke at
them, but flee endwayes before tliem, and liidome ftand at Bay.

Art end of the Hunting of the Bore.

Of the hunting of an Hare

1 am an Hare, a bcall of little llrcngth.
Yet making I'port, of louc and gentle geites.

For

1 60 The booke of Hunting

For running fwift, and holding out at length,
I beare the bell, aboue all other beaftes.

Of the properties of the Hare, and howe

to knowe the male, from the

female. Chap. ^8

IWil begin with the vertues and properties of an Hare, the which
be verie great and many, hauing confideration to the greatnefTe
and littleneffe of hir. Firll the bloud of an Hare, is a fore dryer,
and if you do annoynt therewith any ytching place, or a ring-
worme, it will drie it vp and heale it. The Hare hath a litle bone
in a ioynt of hir hinder legge called the ftyfling bone, whiche is
verie good for the Collike and the Crampe. Hir fkynne burnt to
pouder, is a foueraine medicine to fbenche bloud. The Hare firft
taught vs the vfe of the hearbe called wilde Succorye, which is
verie excellent for thofe whiche are difpofed to be melancholike :
fhe hir felfe is one of the mofte melancholike beaftes that is :
and to heale hir own infirmities, flie goeth commonly to fit vn-
der that hearbe : wherevpon it hath bene called in times palt Ta-
latim leporisj that is to fay. Hares pallayfe. The Hare doth natu-
rally know the change of weather from .xxiiii. houres, to .xxiiii.
houres. When ftie goeth to hir forme, fhe will not let the dewe
or wet touch hir as neare as fliee can, but folioweth the hyghe
wayes and beaten pathes, and breaketh the highe ftalkes as fhe
goeth with hir teeth. And bycaufe fome Hares by haunting the
lowe watrie places, do become foule and mefled, fuch Hares doe
neuer follow y« hard ways, nor make fuch pathes to their formes,
but vfe all their fubtleties and pollecies by the fides of the Ryuers,
brookes, and other waters. And you fliall vnderftand, that the fe-
males are not fo commonly foule or mefled, as the males are,
and therforc a huntcfman may fudge by the relicfe and feede of the
Hare what flie is, and which way flic formcth. They goe to
Bucke commonly in lanuarie, Februarie, and Marche. Some-
times they feke the Bucke feucn or eight myles diifant from the
place where they vfe to fyt, following the beaten high waycs, as

fhall

The hoohe of Hunting 161

be hereafter declared. A Bucke Hare wil abyde the hounds nea-
rer him when he fitteth, than the female will, bicaufe he feeleth
him felfe quicker, and his body better difpofed and hardier. If
when a Hare ryfeth out of the forme, flie fet vp hir eares, and run
not verie fall at the firfte, and cafb vp hir Skut vpon hir backe,
it is a token that it is an olde and craftie Hare. Although fome
fay that there is no iudgement of difference betweene the male
and the female Hares, yet haue 1 founde the contrarie. For the
male Hare or bucke maketh his croteys always fmaller and dryer,
and more fliarpned towards the end. The female maketh them
greater and rounder, and not fo dry. And the caufe is, that the fe-
male relieueth not fo farre out a nights, and is greater of bodye,
which caufeth hir to make the greater Croteys alio. You fliall
knowe a bucke as you hunt him to the forme : for you flial find y*
he hath more beaten the hard high wayes, and feedeth further out
into the playnes, and maketh his doublings and croffings much
wyder, and of greater compafTe than the female doth. For
fhe will keepe clofe by fome couerts fide, turning and winding
in the buflies like a Coney. And if flie goe to relicfe in the come
fields, file wil not lightly crolTe ouer the fiirrowes, but foloweth
them al along, and ftayeth much vpon the thickeft tufts of corne
to feede : Neither is flie fatiffied by feeding hir bellye full, but
flireds the corne, and fcattreth it as flie goeth. Likevvife you may
knowe a Bucke at rifing out of the forme, for he hath his hinder
parts much more whitely, as if he were grey or downy : Or you
fliall knowe him if ycu marke his flioulders well before he ryfe,
for they are redder than a female Hares be, and will haue fome
lofe long h aires growing on them.' Againe, you may know him
by his headc, the which is fliorter and better trufTcd than the fe-
males is. The hairs about his lips and cheeks, are longer, and com-
monly his eares fliorter, greater, and more whitely. The female
hath a long and leane head, hir eares long, the haire vpon y® chine
of hir backe, blackilh greye. And commonly when hounds hunt
a female Hare, flie will vfe more crofling, doubling, and turning
bcforethcmjpaflingfeuen or eiglit times one way,and ncuermaketh
out endwaycs before the hounds. The male dotli contrary : for if

the

1 62. The hoohe of Hunting

the houndes runne him, and that he haue once made a turne or
two aboute his forme, then farewell houndes : for he will leade
them fometimes three or foure myles endwayes before he turne
the head, and that lightly into fome coaft where he hath bene in
times paft, and from whence he hath bene chafed and hunted. For
an Hare wil goe feuen or eight myles endwayes at once and you
may know when a Hare is fo come from farre by this meanes.

When you fee y* your hounds find where an Hare hath paft at re-
lief, vpony^highwayes fides, and hath much doubled and croiled vpon
drie places, andncuer much broken out nor relieucd in the corne,
it is a token that flie is but lately come into thofe quarters : and
then iscommonly flie wil fi:ay vpon fome high place, to looke about
hir, and to choofe out a place to forme in, and alfo y® better to faue
hirfelf, if flie perceiue either hounds or any thing els that followes
or meetes hir. Or you may alfo know, bycaufe commonly Hares
which ftray fo, doe make their forme clofe, bycaufe they are in
dout and dread. And when the hounds finde them and put them
vp, they breake and double, turning backe towardes their forme :
bicaufe it grieueth them to part from it, knowing not the coun-
trey. But when they perceiue that the hounds holde in to them,
then they returne by the fame wayes that they came. By thefe
tokens you may knowe an Hare that is a pafTenger, which may
chance to leade your houndes a luftie daunce after hir.

O^ the fubtilties of an Hare, when flie is
runne and hunted. Chap. 5-9

I Might well mainteine that of all chafes, the Hare maketh
greateft paftime and pleafure, and flieweth moll cunning
iu hunting, and is mcetcft for gentlemen of all other hun-
tings, for that they may find them at all times, and hunt them
at moft fcafons of the yeare, and that with fmall charges. And a-
gaine, bicaufe their pafbime fliall be alwayes in fight, whereby
they may iudge the goodnefie of their houndes, without great
paines or trauell. Alfo it is great pleafure to beholde the fubtil-
tie of the little poore beafte, and what fliift flie can make for hir
felfe. Wherefore the huntfmen mull be wary and wife to marke

hir

The boohe of Hunting 16 1

hir fubtilties, the which I haue pradrifed much, and therefore I
am the bolder to fet downe in wryting fuche experiences as I
haue feene, knowne, and made. Firft the huntefman which fhall
be nexte the houndes, fliall looke and marke many thinges when
the Hare rifeth out of his forme. As firft what weather it is. For
if it be raynie weather, then the Hare will holde the high wayes
more than at any other time. And if fhe come to the fide of any
yong fpring or groue, flie will not lightly goe in, but will con-
uey hir felfe, and fquat vnder the fide thereof, vntill the houndes
haue ouerfhot hir : and then fhe will returne the felfe fame waye
that file came, vnto the place where flie was fbart or put vppe,
for file will not willingly goe into any couert, bycaufe of the
dewe and wet that hangeth vpon the lowe twigges. In fuche
a cafe, the huntefman fliall doe well, to tarie and ftaye an hun-
dreth paces before he come to the woodes fide, and then he fhall
fee hir if fhe come right backe as before fayde. Then may he
hallowe in his houndes and call them backe : for elfe it woulde
be harde to make it out. When a Hare doth fo as before fayd, by-
caufe an hound will fcarcely beleeue that the Hare were gone
diredtly backwardes, therefore the Huntefman fliall doe well
to hallowe them in before they go any further : for elfe they will
rather iudge it to be the counter as flie came firft.

Nexte to this, a huntefman muft marke in what place the
Hare fitteth, and vpon what wynde flie made hir forme. For
if file forme eyther vpon the North wynde, or vpon the South
winde, fhe will not willingly runne into the winde, but will
runne vpon a fyde wynde, or elfe downe the wynde. Alfo if an
Hare doe forme in the water, it is a token that fhe is foule and
mefled. In hunting of fuche an Hare, lette the huntefmen take
good hecdc all the daye vnto the Brookes fides, for fuche an Hare
will make all hir crofTings, doublings, &c. vppon Brookes
fides and plaflics. Agayne, a huntefman muftc marke whe-
ther it be a bucke Hare or a female, and whether flie be wonted
to the place where flie fat, or a pafTenger: The which he maye
knowe by fuche obferuations as I haue before rehearfed : for
doubtlefTi.-, a Hare whiche is bred and wonted to a certaine place,

and

1 64 The boohe of Hunting

and efpecially a female Hare, (if a huntefman doe marke the firft
waye that flie bendeth, or the firfte compaffe that fhe bendeth
when file parteth firft from the forme) will all the daye long
holde the fame wayes, and caft about the same coaftes, and pafTe
through the same mufes vntill hir death or efcape : vnlefTe it be
as I fayde, fome Bucke which be come from some other place,
or that the houndes runne him fo harde, that he be enforced to
make out endwayes before the houndes, and fo to goe out of his
haunt, the which they will all do commonly, by that time that
they be well runne two houres without default. But at the
fyrll they will doe (in manner) nothing elfe but turne, croflTe, and
double, palling fyue or fixe tymes one waye, and in one felfe
fame path. And you muft vnderftande, that if you leese an Hare
at any time, let the huntefmen yet remember and marke whiche
pathes fhe bette, and what way fhe coalf ed : for another time if
you finde the fame Hare, flie will doubtlefle keepe the fame pla-
ces, and make the like doublings, croffings, &c. And by that
meanes you fliall preuent hir fubtletie, and much help the hounds
in knowing which way (he will bend.

I haue feene a Hare fo craftie, that as foone as fhe heard the
founde of an home, flie woulde ryfe out of hir forme, yea, had
file beene formed a quarter of a myle dyftant from the huntef-
man that blewe, and woulde flreyght wayes goe fwymme in
fome poole, and abyde in the middell thereof vpon fome ruflibed,
before the houndes came at hir, or hunted hir at all. But at the
laft I difcouered hir fubtleties, for I went clofe alongeft by the
poole, to fee what might become of hir, and vncoupled my houn-
des there aboutes where 1 fufpcdred fhe fliould be : and as foone
as eucr flie hearde the home, flie flarte, and leapt before my face
into the poole, and fwomme to another bed in the midft thereof,
and ncyther with ftone nor clodde that I coulde throwe at hir,
woulde fhe ryfe nor ftyrre, vntyll I was fayne to ftryppe
off my clothes, and fwymme to hir : yea, and flie taryed me
almofte, vntyll I layde my hande vppon hir, before fliee
woulde ftyrre. But at the laft, flic fwomme out and came
by the houndes, and floode vppe aftcrwardcs three houres

before

The hoohe of Hunting 16$

before we coulde kill hir, fwymming and vfing all hir crofTing
and fubtleties in the water. 1 haue alfo feene an Hare runne and
ftande vp two houres before a kennell of houndes, and then flie
hath ftarted and rayfed an other freflie Hare out of hir forme,
and fet hir felfe downe therein. 1 haue feene other agayne,
fwymme ouer two or three waters, the least whereof hath beene
fourefcore Taylers yardes ouer. I haue feene Ibme agayne,
whiche being runne well by the fpace of two houres or more,
hath crepte vnder the dore of a Sheepecote, and hyd hir felfe a-
mongft the sheepe. And I haue feene Hares oftentimes runne
into a flocke of flieepe in the fielde when they were hunted, and
woulde neuer leaue the flocke, vntill I was forced to couple vp
my houndes, and folde vp the flieepe, or fometimes driue them
to the Cote : and then the Hare would forfake them, and I vn-
coupled my houndes at hir agayne and kylled hir.

I haue feene that woulde take the grounde like a Coney,
(whiche is called goyng to the vault) when they haue beene hun-
ted. I haue feene a Hare goe vp by one fide of an hedge, and
come downe by that other fide, in fuche fort, that there was no
more but the thickneile of the hedge betweene them. I haue
feene an Hare being fore runne, get vp vppon an olde wall fixe
foote heigth from the grounde, and fquat or hyde hir felfe in the
hole that was made for a Scaffblde. I haue feene fome
fwymme ouer a brooke eyght yardes broade, more than twentie
times within the length of an hundreth paces, and that in my
fighte. For thefe caufcs the huntefman muft be waryc and cir-
cumfped: in hunting of the Hare. For a hounde whiche is a per-
fect good Haryer, may be bolde to hunte any chace : for the Hare
is the verie proper beaste to enter houndes well, and to make
them tender nofed. But afterwardcs when you woulde
make your houndes to the Harte, they will quickly forfake the
Hare, bycaufc the vcnyfon of an Harte is muche more delicate
and deyntle than the Hares is : and houndes do muche more de-
sire it, bycaufe the Harte is also of greater fent than the Hare.
An Hare lyucth not aboue feucn ycarcs at the mode, efpecially
the Bucke. They arc of this propcrtic, that if there be a Bucke

and

1 66 The hooke of Hunting

and a female which keepe one quarter commonly together, they
will neuer fufFer any ftrange Hare to fyt by them, nor to abyde
neare them, vnlefTe it be their owne yong ones. And therefore
hath it beene an olde saying, that the more you hunt, the more
Hares you fliall haue, bycaufe when an Hare is killed, there will
foone come other from fome other quarter.

Howe to enter yong hounds to the
Hare. Chap. 60

FIrft in hunting of the Hare, I woulde not haue you to
haue aboue two or three huntefmen at the mofte, where-
of one fliall take charge to rate and beate on fuch hounds as bide
plodding behinde : and the other fhall make them feeke and caft
about. For if there be many huntefmen, they fliall foyle the tra-
ces and footing of the Hare, or at the least will amaze the hounds
(with the varietie of their voyces) when they are at default. For
an Hare maketh fometimes fo many doubles, croflings, &c. that
an hounde can not well tell where he is, nor which way to make
it out, nor will doe any thing elfe (in maner) but holde vp their
heades, and looke to the huntefmen for helpe and comfort. Then
let the huntefmen caft about a compafiTe, where they came firfte
at defaulte, and encourage them, the whiche he can not fo well
doe, if the other huntfmen haue beaten and foyled the trace with
their feete, or the feete of their horfes. And he whiche hunteth for-
moft fliould carie with him a good bigge wallet of lynnen cloth
full of deyntie morfels, to giue his houndes, to the ende that they
may knowe him. For aboue all things it is meete, that an hound
fliould knowe his maiffer and huntefman, his voyce, and his
home : and then when it commcth to the hallowe, they will foo-
ncr come in to his voyce, than to an other mans, and will leaue
all others to come vnto him : therefore he flioulde ncuer hallowe
them amyfle, nor without good cause. And if he would haue his
houndes come in to him, to make them goe into fome grouc or
couert, let him hallowe thus, crying, Heere hww^ heere^ havj^ haw^

And

The hoohe of Hunting 1 57

And when the houndes are come m to him, let him feeke fome
fayre muse or gappe to pafle in at, and there let him caft a ci ufte
of breade, or fomewhat to make them go in the more willingly,
crying, Couert^ couert^ kyke in hyke^ (^c.

Here I will difcouer vnto you two fecretes. Whereof that
one is, that he which hath a kennell of yong houndes to enter,
he muft marke well the countrey where he will make them their
fyrfte quarrey, and whereof he will make it. For according to
the places where they fliall be entered at the beginning, and ac-
cording to the quarrey which you fliall giue them, they will al-
ways afterwards proue. And therfore if at y® firfl: when you enter
yong hounds, you accuftome them to be vncoupled in the plaine
champayne, and that they hunt there an Hare to the forme, and
ftarte hir, they will remember it all their life after. And then
when fo euer you vncouple them in a couert, they will make no
great hast to hunte there, but will feeke to hunte out into the
playnes, and fuche places as they haue beene accuftomed to in
hunting of the Hare. Euen fo will they beft loue the couertes,
if they be firfte entered there, and haue founde game therein.
And therefore it is requifite to enter your houndes in the coun-
trey, where you meane to abyde and to hunt moft commonly :
for houndes once accuftomed to a place or kynde of chace, will
not willingly hunt otherwife. Another fecrete is, that you ne-
uer enter nor accuftome your houndes at firfte to hunte in the
mornings, bycaufe of the dewe and moyfture of the earth. For
if you once enter and accuftome them to hunt in the freflie mor-
nings, if afterwardes you bryng them on fielde in the heate of
the day, and that they once feele the heate of the Sun, or fome dry
wynd which hath drawne vp the moyft dewe from the ground,
they will neyther hunte, nor call on willingly, but will runne to
feeke the fhadowc, and there to reft them and flccpe. Therefore
I holde it beft to accuftome your hounds to be entred and hun-
ted withall, in the heighte and heate of the day, rather than in the
mornyng. And the beft feafon to bcgynne to enter your yong
hounds, is in Odober and Noucmbcr, for then the time is tem-
perate, and the hcatcs arc not vehement : and then also young
TUBB. vEN. N iiares

1 68 The booke of Hunting

Hares which haue not bene hunted, are foolifli, and are neither of
force nor capacitie to vfe fuch fubtleties and poUicies, but hold on
endways before the houndes moft commonly : and do fquat and
ftart againe oftentimes, the whiche doth muche encourage the
hounds, and doth much better enter them, than if they should flee
into another quarter far before them. True it is and a thing often
proued, that an Hare hath greater fent, and is more eagerly hun-
ted by the houndes, when flie feedeth and relieueth vpon greene
corne, than at any other time of the yere. And yet alfo you haue
fome Hares, which naturally giue fome of them greater ient than
fome others, and are much more eagerly hunted and chafed by y^
hounds. As thefe great wood Hares, and fuch as are fouleand mef-
led and keepe neare to the waters. But the Utle red Hare, which is
(in maner) like a Coney of bignefTe, is neither of fo ilrong a fent
nor yet are fo eagerly hunted by the houndes as other Hares be.
Such as feede vpon the fmall branches of wilde time, or fuch like
herbes, are commonly very fwift, and wil ftand long vp before the
hounds. So haue you fome Hares more fubtle and crafty, than fome
others are, efpecially the females, for they double and turne fliorter
than the Bucks do, and that pleafeth the hounds but a litle. For
it is grieuous to houndswhich are luftie and eager, to turn fo often
bicaufe they like better a chafe which fleeth before them endways, y*
they may run with al their force. And for fuch Hares as double and
crolTe fo often, it is requisite at default to caft the greater compalle
about, when you beate to make it out. For fo flial you find al hir
fubtleties, and yet need to llicke vpon none of them, but only where
file went onwardes : for fo doing, you flial abate the Hares force,
and confbrein hir to leaue doubling and eroding. Some Hares will
holde the high beaten wayes onely, where the houndes can haue
no fente, bycaufe there is neyther boughe, leafe, nor any moyfte
place wherwith y® Hare might leaue lent of hir body. The which
file muft needs leaue if it were in woodes, corne, high grade, or
fuch other moyfl: and coolc places. And therefore when a huntfman
fliall find fuch an Hare, and flial fee his hounds at default vpon an
high way, let him hunt on with his houndes flill all alongft the
way, vntiJl he finde where the Hare hath broken from the way,

or

The hoohe of Hunting i5p

or vntill he finde fome fmall dale, or freflie place by the waye
where the houndes may finde fent. And he himfelfe alio multe
looke narowly vpon the grounde, as he goeth, if he can finde the
footing of the Hare (which we call pricking) the whiche he fliall
eafily know : for the fafliion of an Hares foote is fliarpe, and made
like a kniues poynt, and hyr little nayles do alwayes faften vpon
the grounde, fo that he fliall fee the prickes of them in any moyft
place, or where the grounde is fofte : for an Hare when flie fleeth
before the houndes, doth neuer open hyr foote nor nayles in fun-
der, as iHnkyng chafes and vermme do, but keepeth hir foote al-
wayes clofe lyke the poynt of a knife. So is there alfo certaine
places and feafons, in the whiche an hou nde can haue no lent of
an Hare, as in the winter feafon, in the playne champaigne coun-
tries, where the ground is fatte and rotten : and the Hare (ha-
uing an hearie foote) when file fleeth, the vppermofl of the earth
and grounde fticketh vpon the fole of hir foote, fo that flie carieth
it away with hyr, and that couereth and taketh away all the fent
from the houndes : and agayne in fuche playnes there are com-
monly no braunches nor twigges which flie might touche with
hyr body and fo Icaue fent thereby. Agayne there are certayne
moncths in the which a houndc fliall haue no fent (or very little)
of an Hare : as in the Spring time by reafon of the vehement
fmell of the fweetc flowers and hearbes, which doth exceede the
fent of an Hare. Likewife you mufte take heede that you hunte
not in a harde frofte, for fo your houndes fliall furbayte theyr
feete and loofe their clawcs, and yet at that feafon an Hare run-
neth better than at any other, bicaufe y® Ibale of hyr fcctc is hea-
rie. You fliall vfe in maner the fame termes and wordes to en-
courage your hariers, that you vfe to encourage your Bucke-
houndes, and fuche as you hunte any Deare withall : Sauing
onely at the hallowe to an Hare you fay, HaiHy Haiv^ Haiv^ here^
Haiu^ here^ ^c. Whcras in hallowing of a Deare you fay when
the hounds come in, Thats he^ Thats he^ To him^ to him^ to k'lm^c.
Againe remember that when focuer you entre your yong houndes,
you neuer helpe them to kill the Hare with your Greyhoundcs,
for if you accuflome to courfc the Hare with your Greyhoundes

N 1 before

1-70 The hooke of Hunting

before the houndes, then when foeuer you fliould hallowe, the
houndes would do nothing but lifte vp their heades, and looke
alwayes to fee the Hare before the Greyhoundes, and will neuer
put nofe to the grounde, nor beate for it, nor hunte. But your
bell entryng of yong houndes, is by the helpe of old fteynche
houndes, whiche may belt learne to caft for it at a doublyng or
default.

At what time of the yeare it is beft hunting of

the Hare, and how to feeke hir, ftarte

hir, and chace hir. Chap. 61

THe beft feafon to hunte the Hare with houndes, is to beginne
in the middeft of September, and to leaue at midde Apryll :
and that, bycaufe of the flowers and vehement heates whiche
beginne after Apryll, and take away the fente of the Hare
from the houndes. Then in September the Huntefman fliall
beginne to gyue rewards vnto his Haryers, and to renew their
huntyng of that chace. For (as I haue fayde) at that tyme.
Hares be yong and feeble, and as the feafon pafTeth, fo theyr
force encreafeth : euen fo your houndes the more that they hunte,
and the more quareys that they haue, the better, ftronger, and
perfedter they become. And agayne when the winter approch-
eth, the moyftneffe and coolenefle of the earth encreafeth, the
which houndes do delight in rather than in great heate. When
your houndes are twoo yeares olde and vpwardes, you may
hunte with them thrycc in a weeke, and they will be the better.
When a Lorde or Gentleman will go on huntyng, the huntef-
man mufte regarde the tyme and place where he fliall be, to the
ende he may go fcckc the Hare where mofte lykely huntyng is :
as in the Paftures, Meades, or Greene fleldcs, and fuche lyke :
and there he fliall vncouple his houndes : and if there be any
hounde whiche light vppon the trayle of an Hare, where fliee
hath relicued that night, Ictte the Huntefman ftaye and be not
ouer haftie, vntill the houndes make it out of themfelues, and
when he perccyueth that they beginne to drawe in together and

to

The hoohe of Hunting 17 1

to call on frefliiy, then lette him comforte them with woordes,
and name that hounde whiche hunteth befle, as to fay : Hyke a
Fyndall^ Hyke^ ^c. It is mofte certayne that houndes will haue
better fente of an Hare when fliee goeth towardes the reliefe,
than when fliee goeth towardes hyr Forme, yea although fliee
go fooner to the one than to that other : and the reafon is, that
when a Hare is in the fielde and relieueth, fliee coucheth lowe
vppon the grounde with hyr bodie, and passeth oftentymes
ouer one plotte of grounde to feeke good feede, whereby fliee lea-
ueth greate Sente of hyr vppon the grafle or blades, and cro-
teyeth alfo fometimes : and therefore the houndes haue greater
fente of hir, than they haue when flie goeth out of the field (or out
of the corne or high graflfe at leaft) to go to hir Forme : For when
fhe goeth to hir Forme, flie doth commonly beate the high wayes
(as beforefaid) doubling, crofling, and leaping, as lightly as flie can.
Therfore when a huntlman feeth his hounds crofl^e where a Hare
hath relieued, and that they begin alio to make it on vnto hir going
out towardes hir Forme, let him fuffer his houndes to hunt fayre
and foftly, and haften them not ouermuch for ouerfliooting of it :
and if his houndes fall at default, then is it a token that the Hare
hath made fome double or fome crofle, or that flie hath gone and
come backe agayne by one fclfe fame way : then fliall he crie,
Haiv agayne^ agayne here^ Hatv, and fliall not fi:yrre any furder
forwardes, for if he come too neare the houndes, it woulde rather
make them to ouerflioote it : but let him fo Hay them and make
them beate for it, comforting and chearyng them with wordes
and with his voycc, and beholding how theyhunte and beate for it.
But if they cannot make it out vpon the high ways, then let him
cafl: rounde about in the freflieft and grccnelt places, and fuch as
are mofl: commodious for the houndes to take fente vpon, for by
that meancs at laft he fliall make it out whiche way the Hare is
gone into fome groue or fpryng : and then his houndes may alfo
beate the groucs, and he himself mufl: likewise beate the tuffts
and buflics with his hunting iHcke, to hclpc the houndes to ftarte
hyr. And if he chaunce to finde an oldc Forme, he muftc take
fome rewardc out of his wallet and cafte it in the fayde olde

forme,

1-72, The hooke of Hunting

forme, and call in the houndes into it, crying : Here^ Haw, here
Jhefatj here fie fat. To hyr agayne. The Huntefman fliall do well
also to haue a peece of the fatte of Bacon or fuch like thing in his
wallet, wherewith he may anoynt the end of his hunting ftaffe,
and then when foeuer he woulde poynt his houndes to a Mufe,
or to any place, he fliall neede to do no more but ftryke on the
grounde with the ende of his ftaffe, and his houndes will go
through the mufe, or come into any place where he fhall poynt
them, and hunt it much the better. But if the huntefman when
he hath caft aboute, do not finde that the Hare is gone out be-
yonde the compade that he cafteth, then lette him call backe his
houndes to the place where they firft came at default, and let him
confider which way it feemeth that the Hare bent hyr head when
file came into that way or place, and if flie helde on head, then
let him beate with his houndes Ifill onwardes on bothe fides of
the way : for oftentimes the Hare followeth the high wayes very
farre, to double, croflTe and vfe pollicies, and will neuer fteppe
from the way in a myle together. And in fuch places the houndes
can haue no fent, by reafon of the dufte and other fuche things as
I haue before alledged, and yet they will fquatte vpon the out-
fides of the wayes or very neare to them : and therefore let the
huntefman beate the fides of the high wayes well. But if al these
pollicies cannot helpe the houndes to make it out, then may the
Huntefman well iudge that the Hare hath turned backewardes
vpon the houndes : and then let him take his compaffe greater
and beate backe with his houndes, and it fliall hardly be pofTible
but at the laft he muft make it out. And yet fome Hares there be
that will fit vntill you treade vpon them before they will ryfe,
and fome wilbc taken in the Forme. Now although I haue fo
much fpoken in prayfe of trayling of an Hare from the relief to
the Forme, yet mc thinks it is more payne than needeth, and lefTe
pleafure than might be dcfircd : bycaufe the houndes while they
trayle, do call on but coldly one after another ; and that it fliould
be much fliortcr and better paftime to fceke and linde hyr as fol-
loweth.

When three good huntefmen are met, and perccyuc that theyr

houndes

The hooke of Hunting 175

hounds do find where an Hare hath releued in fome fay re corne-
fielde or pafture. Then muft they confider the fcafon of the yeare
and what weather it is : for if it be in the Springtime or in the
Sommer, then a Hare will not fit in the bufhes, bycaufe thefe
Piflemyers, Tikes, and fometimes Snakes and Adders will
driue them out : then they are conftreyned to fit in the cornefieldes,
or fallow fieldes and open places. In winter they loue to fit
neare the townes fides in fome tuffte of brambles or thornes :
efpecially when the winde is eyther Southerly or Northerly,
for they feare both thofe windes alfo exceedingly. Then accor-
ding to the feafon and place where the Hare fliall wont to fitte,
they fliall beate with their houndes to ftarte hir at the firft : and
vfing that meanes, they fliall finde more Hares, and haue flior-
ter fporte than in trayling after them as before fayde : and they
may fo enter their hounds and accuftome them, that afibone as they
beginne to beate the bufflies with theyr hunting ftickcs, the
houndes will in and ftriue who may firlt gette in, like Spani-
els at retrife of a Partriche. And when the Hare is ftarte and on
foote, then let the huntefman go where he fawe hyr pafie, and
hallowe in all the houndes vntill they haue al vndertaken it, and
go on with it in full crie : Then let him rechate to them with
his home, and comforte them euery way that he can befb deuile :
and when he perceyueth that they are in full crie, let him follow
fayre and eafily, not making ouer much hafte at firfte, nor ma-
king to much noyfe eyther with home or voyce : for at the firile
the houndes will eafily oucrfhoote a chafe through too much heate :
and therefore if the huntefman ouerlay them, he lliould but chafFe
them more, which might caufe them both to oucrflioote it and to
leefe it. But when they haue run the fpace of an houre, and that
they are well in with it, and fticke well vppon it, then may the
huntefman come in nearer to his houndes, bicaufe by that time
their heate will be wel cooled and they wil huntc fobcrly. Aboue
all things let him marke the firil doublyng that the Hare ma-
keth as I haue before fayde, and thereby he may gouerne himfelf
all the day : for all the reft that flie will make will be lyke vnto
it : and according to the pollicics that he Ihall fee hir vie, and the

place

1 74 The hooke of Hunting

place where he hunteth, he mufte make his compafles greate or
little, long or fhorte, to helpe the defaults, alwayes feeking the
moyfteft and mofte commodious places for the houndes to fente
in. There are twoo manner of huntings at the Hare, for fome
follow and neuer hollowe before an Hare, nor after hyr, nor ne-
uer helpe houndes at defaulte : and me thinkes that this is a no-
ble kyndeof huntyng, and doth belle fliewe and proue thegoodnefle
of the houndes : other againe do marke which way an Hare ben-
deth at the firft, and coaft before hir to meete hyr, and there hallow
amayne, and helpe the houndes also at defaults afmuche as they
can. When hounds are hunted with in this forte, they become fo
light of beliefe that many tymes they leaue the right tracke to
go in to the hallowe, and by that meanes the Hares can ftande
vp but a whyle before them. And furely he that woulde hunte
to kill many Hares, flioulde do befte to hunte this kynde of
way : but to trie the good hunting of houndes, 1 do more prayfe
that other way, whiche hunteth onely vpon the foote and fente :
but this latter way is fpeedie, and befte counteruayleth the sub-
tilties of an Hare. I coulde haue ftoode longer in defcrybing
the meanes howe to breathe and enter haryers. But bycaufe I
haue both fpoken fuflficiently in the hunting of an Harte, and al-
fo in thefe chapters before, whiche treate of the pollicies and fub-
tilties that Hares vfe, whereby a huntefman may finde precepts
fuflRcient to gouerne himfelfe, therefore I will no we fay no
more of that poynt.

Howe you fliall rewarde your houndes when they
haue killed an Hare, which the Frenchman
calleth the reward, and fometimes the
quarey, but our old Triftram cal-
leth it the hallow. Chap. 6z

WHcn your houndes haue killed the Hare, let the varlet of
your kcnncll, cut downe fome pretie bending wandes of
an Hafell or fome fuch tree, and then let him take the Hare and lay
hir in fome fayre place vpon the grafie : then let the huntefman

alight

The hoohe of Hunting 175-

alight from his horfe, and blowe the death to call in all the
houndes : that done, the varlet of the kennell flial keepe ofFy^houndes
with thofe little wandes, and let them all baye aboute him. The
huntefman fliall blowe ftill a good while, and aftervvardes fliall
clappe and ftroke his beft houndes on the fides, and fhewe them
the Hare, faying : Dead boyes^ dead: Then lette him hulke hir
(which is to open hir and take out hyr garbage) and afterwards
ftryp off hir fkinne before the houndes, takyng away the Gall,
the lightes, and the fkinne, the whiche he fliall hang up in fome
tree, where the houndes may not eate them, for they will
make them ficke. When the Hare is thus hulked and ftripte out
of hyr fkinne, lette the Huntefman take out of his wallet fome
bread, cheese, and other fmall morfels, and put them into the bulke
of the Hare, to wet and moyften them with hir bloud : then fliall
he cutte off the forepart of the Hare, head and all : and yet if he
haue any yong hounde whiche is fearefull, let him giue him the
Hares heade by himfelfe for to encourage him the better. Then
mufte the varlet of the kennell tye a corde to the forequarters of
the Hare in hue or fixe places, that one dogge may not teare a-
way all at a mouthfull, and fo beguyle all his fellowes, After-
wardes let him hide it, and take his fliaffe and go an hundreth
paces from the reft : in meane whyle the huntefman fliall powre
out the rewarde of bread and cheefe vpon the cleaneft place of
grafle that he can finde, and fliall yet keepe off the houndes with
his hunting wande. This beyng done, he flial blow that all the
houndes may come in together, and flial fuffer them to eate this re-
warde, clapping them vppon the fides, comforting of them, and
blowing with his home. In meane while when they haue almoft
done, he flial make figne to the varlet of the kennell whiche fliall
hallow and blow for the houndes : then the huntefman fliall rate
them and beate them to him, faying : L.yfi HaUoiu^H'tkeHalloiu^hike.
Then the varlet fliall fliew them the Hare holding it as high as
he can, and holdinghiscordc alwayesfaft by y^ end : andwhenallthe
houndes be about him, he llial caft it amongft them, and fuffer them to
teare it by pccccmeale out of the corde : and then carie them to
the water before he couple them vp agayne : or rather lette him

carie

iq6 The hooke of Hunting

carie them home vncoupled, that they may fkoure at large and
fkommer : for a hounde will be enclined to be fickly when he
hath eaten of a Hares flefhe. And therefore let him giue them
bread after they haue eaten the rewarde, to clofe vp theyr llomacks
withall, and leall they fhould call: it vp againe.

The Hare, to the Hunter

A Re mindts of men, become fo voyde of fcnfc,
x\.That they can ioye to hurte a harmelelle thing ?
A lillie beaft, whiche cannot make defence ?
A wretche ? a wormc that can not bite, nor fting ?
If that be fo, I thanke my Maker than,
For makyng me, a Beafl and not a Man.

The

The hoohe of Hunting iq^

The Lyon lickes the fores of wounded Sheepe,
He fpares to pray, whiche yeeldes and craueth grace :
The dead mans corps hath made fome Serpentes weepe.
Such rewth may ryfe in beafts of bloudie race :
And yet can man, (whiche bragges aboue the reft)
Vfe wracke for rewth ? can murder like him beft ?

This fong I fmg, in moane and mourneful notes,
(Which fayne would blafe, the bloudie minde of Man)
Who not content with Hartes, Hindes, Buckes, Rowes, Gotes,
Bores, Beares, and all, that hunting conquere can,
Muft yet feeke out, me filly harmelelTe Hare,
To hunte with houndes, and courfe fometimes with care.

The Harte doth hurte (I muft a trueth confelTe)
He fpoyleth Corne, and beares the hedge adowne :
So doth the Bucke, and though the Rowe feeme lefte,
Yet doth he harme in many a field and Towne :
The clyming Gote doth pill both plant and vine,
The pleafant meades are rowted vp with Swine.

But I poore Beaft, whofe feeding is not feene.
Who breake no hedge, who pill no pleafant plant :
Who ftroye no fruite, who can turne vp no greenc.
Who fpoyle no cornc, to make the Plowman want :
Am yet pursewed with hounde, horse, might and mayne
By murdring men, vntill they haue me flayne.

Sa hoiv faycth one, as foone as he me fpies,
Another cries JvZoiy, Noiy, that fees me ftarte.
The houndes call on, with hydcous noyfe and cryes.
The fpurgaldc lade muft gallop out his parte :
The home is blowcn, and many a voyce full ihryll,
Do whoup and crie, me wretched Beail to kyll.

What

I '7 8 The hoohe of Hunting

What meaneft thou man, me fo for to purfew ?
For firft my fkinne is fcarcely worth a placke.
My fleilie is drie, and harde for to endew,
My greace (God knoweth) not great vpon my backe,
My felfe, and all, that is within me founde,
Is neyther, good, great, ritche, fatte, fweete, nor founde.

So that thou flieweft thy vauntes to be but vayne.
That bragft of witte, aboue all other beafts.
And yet by me, thou neyther getteft gayne
Nor findell foode, to ferue thy gluttons feafts :
Some fporte perhaps : yet Greuous is the glee
IVhich endes in Bloud^ that lefTon learne of me.

Of the nature and propertie of the
Conie. Chap. 63

THe Conie is a common beaft and well knowen vnto all men.
The Conie beareth hyr Rabettes .xxx. dayes, and then kmde-
leth, and then flie muft be bucked againe, for els ilie will eate vp
hir Rabcts. She wil haue fiue, fixe, and feuen at a litter. He that
would haue a warrayne well repleniflied with Conies, flioulde
hunt them and beate them in twice or thrice in a weeke with fome
Spanell or curre for the purpofe : for otherwife they will ftray and
feede out into the woodes and cornefieldes neare adioyning, and
you fliall neuer make them come in to their burrowes or clappers
againe. Some hold opinion that they will follow a Hare to knot
and engendre with hir : but for the reafon before alledged, beate them
in twice or thrice in a weeke. When a Bucke Conie will go to
the Doc, he will beate vpon the ground with his forefoote mar-
uelously, and by that mcanes he heateth himfelfe ; when he hath
buckt, then falleth he backwards and lieth in a trauncc as he were
half dead : and then may a man cafily take him. The flcihe of a
Conie is much better than the flcfhe of an Hare, for the Hares
flclli is much drier and more melancholike : fo is the fkinne of a
Conie (if it be blackc) a very good furre, where as the Hares fkin
is little or nothing worth. How

The hoohe of Hunting I7p

How to hunte and take Conies. Chap. 6^

HE that would take Conies muste hunte with two or three
Spanels or curres made for the purpofe, amongft the hedges
and bufhes where he knoweth that the Conies do lie : he may alio
haue fmal Greyhoundes for the purpofe to courfe at them : but in
their default, the Spanels or curres will driue them into theyr
Burrowes : then fet purfenettes vpon al the holes, or as many of
them as you can finde, and put in a Ferret clofe mudeled, and
the will make the Conies bolte out againe into your purfenets,
and fo you flial take them. Remember that your Ferret be clofe
mufled, for els flie will kill the Conie in the ground, and perad-
uenture will not come out againe of three or foure dayes after.
For default of a Ferret, you may make Conies come out of their
Burrowes with the pouder of Orpyne and Brimftone, and make
a fmother with them, and it will make the Conies bolte out of
the earth, and fo you fliall take them in your purfenets. Mine
Author telleth furthermore of making fmal low hedgerowes al
alongft downe by y« fide of fome hedge which is wel replenillied
with Conies : and that the fayde lowe hedges fliould be made o-
uerthwart contrarie to the Itanding of the quicke hedge : and that
fundrie holes fliouId be made in them, at the whiche he would
fet purfenets or other nettes, and fo take the Conies, hunting
them vp and downe with a Spaniell or curre. But he feemeth not
to haue feene our Englifli Warreyns, nor our maner of taking
of our Conies. For (thanked be God ) there are fundry Lordcs and
Gentlemen in England, which haue their groundcs fo well re-
plenifhed, as they would cunne a man but fmall thanks whiche
lliuld ib fmother theyr burrowes with Brimllone or Orpin : for
in deede that will marre a Burrow, and driue the Conies cleane
from it. But wee take them principally with heyes : next with
purscnets and Ferrets : thirdly with a drawing Ferret when they
be yong : and againe we haue a kind of dogges called tumblers,
which will kill Conies abundantly, and after a maruelous falliion.
Of all thcfe fortes of taking Conies, together with the order to
keepc a Warrcyn from vermin, 1 wil hold no longer difcourfe :
for in dccdc it is fomewhat befides my purpol'c, fince I

accoumpt

i8o The hooke of Hunting

accoumpte ferrettyng one of the coldeft and vnpleafanteft chaces
that can be followed. Yet thus muche I haue thought meete to
write of it, following mine Audthor : and bicause in deede it fee-
meth to be a kinde of Venerie, at the leaft he that hath a good
warreyne of Conies, a good Douehoufe, and good fifliepondes,
fliall neede the lefle to go into the Foreft or Chafe for Beefe or
Bacon, for thefe three are good neighbours.

Of the himtino; of the Foxe and

F^' —

NOw to fpeake of Fox houndes and Terryers, and how you
fhould enter them to take the Foxe, the Badgerd, and fuche
like vermine : you mufte vnderftand that there are fundrie fortes
of Terriers, whereof wee hold opinion that one forte came out
of Flaunders or the low Countries, as Artoys and thereabouts,
and they haue crooked legges, and are fliortc beared mofte com-
monly. Another forte there is which are fliagged and ftreight
legged : thofe with the crooked legges will take earth better
than the other, and are better for the Badgerd, bycaufe they
will lye longer at a vermine: but the others with ftreyght
legges do ferue for twoo purpofcs, for they wyll Hunte a-
boue the grounde afwcll as other houndes, and enter the
earthc with more furic than the others : but they will not

abide

The hooke of Hunting 1 8 1

abide fo long, bycaufe they are too too eagre in fight, and there-
fore are conllreyned to come out to take the ayre : there are both
good and badde of bothe fortes. And bycaufe it is good pailime,
and braue fight, without great payne or trauayle to the huntef-
man, therefore I haue thought good to fet downe here fome pre-
ceptes for the entryng of Terriers, and for the better flefliyng
and encouragyng of them.

You fliall beginne to enter them aflbone as they be eyght or
tenne Moneths old : For if you enter not a Terrier before he be
a yeare old, you fliall hardly euer make him take the earth. And
you muft take good heede that you encourage them, and rebuke
them not at the firfte : nor that the Foxe or Badgerd do hurte
them within the earth, for then they will neuer loue the earth a-
gayne. And therefore neuer enter a yong Terryer in an earth
where there is an olde Foxe or Badgerd : But firfte lette them
be well entred, and be a yeare olde full or more. You fliall do
well alfo to put in an olde Terryer before them whiche may a-
bide and endure the furie of the Fox or Badgerd. You may en-
ter them and fleflie them fundrie wayes. Firft when Foxes and
Badgerds haue yong cubbes, take all your olde Terryers and
put them into the grounde : and when they beginne to baye,
(whiche in the earth is cafled Yearnyng) you mufte holde your
yong Terryers euery one of them at a fundrie hole of fome an-
gle or mouth of the earth, that they may herken and heare theyr
fellowes yearne. And when you haue taken the old Foxes or
Badgerdes, and that there is nothing left in the earth but the
yong Cubbes, take out then all your old Terryers, and couple them
vp ; then put in your yong Terryers and encourage them, crying.
To h'lm^ To h'lm^ To him: and if they take any yong Cubbe, lette
them take theyr pleafure of him, and kill him within the grounde :
and beware that the earth fall not downe vpon them and Imoo-
ther them. That done, take all the reft of the Cubbes and Bad-
gerds pigges home with you, and frie theyr liuers and theyr
bloud with chcefe, and some of theyr owne greace, and thereof
make your Terryers a rewarde, Ihevvyng them alwayes the
heads and fkinnes to encourage them. When they haue bene re-
warded

182. The hooke of Hunting

warded or rather before, wafhe them with Sope and warme
water to get out the day whiche fhall be clodded in theyr heare :
for els they will foone become mangie : and that would be harde
to be cured. You may enter them alfo thus : you must take old
Foxes and Badgerdes aliue with your olde Terryers and the
helpe of fuch clampes and holdfalles as you fhall fee here por-
trayed : Take them and cut away their nether lawe wherein
there wang teeth be fet, and neuer touche the vpper lawe, but
let it ftande to fliewe the furie of the Beaft, although it can do
no hurte therwith : then make an earth in fome of your clofes,
and make it large inough, bycaufe that the Terryers may fight
and turne therein the better, and that they may go in twoo to-
gether : then couer the borowe or earth with hordes and turnes,
and put the Foxe or Badgerd therein : then put in al your Ter-
ryers both yong and old, and encourage them with wordes, as
hath bene before declared, and as the Arte requyreth : and when
they haue yearned fufnciently, then beginne to digge with fpades
and mattockes to encorage them agaynfb fuch tyme as you muft
vfe to digge ouer them : then take out the Foxe or Badgerde
with the clampes or pinchers, killyng it before them, or lette a
Greyhounde kill it in their fight, and make them reward
thereof. It fhall be well to call: them fome bread or
cheefe vpon the vermin aflbone as it is dead, for
the better boldnyng and encouraging of
them. If you will not cut the lawe
of the Foxe or Badgerd, then
breake out al his teeth
that he bite not the
Terryers, and it
fliall fuffyze
as well.

Of

The hoohe of Hunting

Of the nature and properties of a Foxe
and a Badgerd. Chap. 66

185

4S you haue two kyndes or more of euery other chace by di-
jflLUcrfitie of names : fo of thcfe vermyne there are Foxes and
theyr Cubbes, and Badgerdcs and thcyr Pigges : the female
of a Foxe is called a Bitche, and he himfelfe a Doggcfoxe :
the Female of a Badgerde is called a Sowe, and the male
a Badgerde or a Borcpygge of a Badgerde. Yet fome will
not allowc this difference: but I can prooue it by good rea-
fon and by the diuerfities of colour, nature, and proportion.

TURB. VEN. O *■ "6

184 Tf^^ hooke of Hunting

The Badgerd pigges at comming out of the earth do common-
ly make and call their fyaunts : and they neuer do it vntill they
haue made a hole in the earth with theyr fnowte or with their
foote : and then they fyaunt within it and hide it : this the Foxe
cubbes do not. Alfo the Badgerd maketh his hole commonly
in fande or light earth whiche is eafie to digge, and in open pla-
ces, to haue the comfort of the Sunne : for they fleepe vncefTant-
ly, and are muche fatter than Foxcubbes be. As touchyng their
heare, they haue a grey coate, and are fomewhat whyter than
the olde, waryng greyer and greyer the elder that they bee :
fome fay that there is twoo fortes of thefe yong Badgerdes
(and I beleeue it) whereof that other forte goeth furder out
for their pray than thefe do : and that they cafte their fyants
longer fomewhat lyke a Foxe, and keepe commonly in ftrong
holdes or in rockes, and make their earth or their Burrowe
deeper than thefe doo. But yet there be not fo many chambers
nor angles in their Burrowes as there are in thefe : for it were
vnpofllible for them to worke fo well in Rockes or in harde
earth, as thofe others do in Sande. Thefe two fundry fortes do
not keepe one another companie : neyther fliall you lightly
finde one of them where that other is. Terryers do feare the
one more than the other, bycaufe they are muche curfter, and a-
gayne they ftinke muche worfe. For the better vnderftandyng
of the diuerfitie, let vs coyne a worde, and call the one Badgerd-
pigges, and the other Badgerdwhelpes, and fay that the Bad-
gerdwhelpes haue theyr nofe, their throte, and their eares yel-
lowyflie, lyke vnto a Marternes throte, and are muche blacker
than the pigges, and higher legged : Bothe fortes Hue vpon
all fleflie, and will hunte after carrion : they do greate hurte
in Warreynes and Connigrees, efpecially when they be full
of little rabbets, for they make a hole right aboue the neaft,
Weihiuke and go ftreyght to them: Whereas the Foxe followcth the
that thi Foxe holcs mouthc vntill he come at the neaft. I haue feene a
'^ml^'a^^M. Badgerde take a fuckyng Pigge in my prefence, and ca-
ata BadgtrdTycd him cleane away vnto his earth. It is sure that they
defire Hogges flclhe more than any other : For if you traync

The hoohe of Hunting 1 8^

a peece of Porke or Hogges flefhe vppon their burrowe, they
will fure come out vnto it. They pray alfo vppon all Pullen,
as Geefe, Duckes, Hennes, and fuche like. I can fpeake by
experience, for I haue brought vp fome tame, vntiJl they were
foure yeares olde, and being fo brought vp, they a-re verie gen-
tle, and will playe with yong whelpes, and neuer hurt them,
and the reft of the day that they neither feede nor playe, they be-
ftow in fleeping. Thofe which I haue brought vp, would come
to me at a call, and followe me like whelpes of houndes. They
are verie chyll of colde, and if you lette them lye in a chamber
where there is any fire, they will creepe fo neare it, that they will
burne their coates and their feete alfo many times, and then are
they verie harde to be healed. They will be fed with any thing,
breade, cheefe, fruites, byrdes, or any thing that you will giue
them. When it fnoweth or is harde weather, then they come
not out of their holes fometimes in twoo or three dayes toge-
thers, the which I haue obferued at their holes mouth, when it
hath fnowed and lyen there fo thicke, that they coulde not haue
ftyrred out, but that I might haue perceiued them : As I haue
feene that after three dayes they haue come out for pure hunger,
and gone to praye for meate. It is a pleafure to beholde them
when they gather ftufFe for their neft or for their couch, as ftraw,
leaues, moflfe, and fuch other things : and with their forefeete and
their heade, they will wrappe vp as muche together, as a man
would carie vnder one arme, and will make fhifte to get it into
their holes and couches. This fubtletie they haue, that when they
perceiue the Tcrryers beginne to yearne them, and to lye at them,
they will ftoppe the hole betweene the Terryers and them, leaft
the Terryers fliould followe them any further : and then if the
Terryers baye ftill, they will remoue their baggage with them,
and go into another chamber or angle of their Burrowe. They
liue long, and when they ware old, then fome of them fall blind,
and can not come forth of their holes. Then if they be the Bad-
gers, the Sowes feede them, and if it be the Sowe, the Badger
feedeth hir likewife. They dye alfo of certayne wormes, and
maunges, which they haue all ouer their f kynne : euen as you fee

o X that

1 85 The hooke of Hunting

that houndes haue the maunge and cankerwormes fometimes.
And therefore it is that I councelled to waflie your Terryers,
as foone as they came out of the earth. All thefe thinges I haue
feene by experience : they are long liued, and harde to kyll. For
I haue feene a well byting Greyhounde, take a Badger and
teare his guttes out of his bellye, and yet the Badgerd hathe
fought ftill, and would not yeelde to death. True it is that they
are verye tender vpon the fnowt, and you can not giue them fo
little a blowe vpon the fnowte with a Iticke, but that they wil
dye immediately.

As touching Foxes, I account fmall paftime in hunting of
them, efpecially within the grounde. For as foone as they per-
ceyue the Terryers, if they yearne harde, and lye neare vnto
them, they will bolte and come out ftreight wayes, vnleflfe it
be when the bytchc hath young Cubbes : then they will not for-
sake their young ones to dye for it. They make their earthes
and Burrowes as neare as they can, in grounde that is harde to
dygge, as in galte, clay, and ftonye grounde, or amongeft the
rootes of trees : and their earthes haue commonly but one hole,
the whiche is verie ftraight, and goeth verie farre in, before it
come at their couche. But fometimes they take a Badgers old
Burrowe, whiche hath moe chambers, holes, and angles. When
a good Terryer doth once reache a Foxe, they defende themfelues
flirewdly, but yet nothing like the Badgerd, neyther is their by-
ting fo daungerous. If you take a bytche Foxe in the time that
file goeth on clycketing, and cut out hir gutte whiche holdeth
hir fpreame or nature, together with the kydncys whiche
Gelders take awaye from a bytche whiche when they fpaye hir,
and then cut all into fmall gobbets, and put them into a potte
hote as they be, then take Goomc of Mafticke and mingle it
therewith, and couer the potte clofe, it will keepe all the yeare,
and will ferue to make a trayne for a Foxe, when you would,
on this wife : Take a fkynne of Bacon, and lay it on a Gryd-
yron, and when it is well broyled and hote, then dippe it and
puddle it in this fawcc that is within the pot, and make a trayn
therewith, and you fliall fee that if there be a Foxe neare to any

place

The hoohe of Hunting 187

place where the trayne is drawne, he will followe it. But he
which maketh the trayne, muft rubbe the foales of his flioes with
Cowes dung, leaft the Foxe vent his footing. And thus you
may trayne a Foxe to a Handing, and kyll him in an euening
with a CroflTebowe.

It is alfo a thing experimented, that if you rubbe a Ter-
ryer with Brymftone, or with the oyle of Cade^ and then put
the Terryer into an earth where Foxes be, or Badgerdes, they
will leaue that earth, and come no more at it in two or three
months at leaft.

Of the nature and properties of a Foxe, out
of another Author. Chap. (^7

IT flialbe needlcffe to fpcake of his fliape or proportion, fmce he
is fo common a bcafb. His conditions are in many respects like
vnto y^ Wolf. For firft y^ bitch Fox bringcth forth as many cubs
at a lytter, as the flie Wolf doth, fomtimcs more, and Ibmtimes
leffe, as the flic Wolf doth alfo. But indeed Ihc doth lytter them
deepe vnder the ground, and fo the Wolf doth not. She venomcth
with hir byting when Ihe is fault, as the Wolfe doth. The life
of a Foxe and of a Wolf continue both like time. You llial hardly

take

1 88 The hooke of Hunting

take a bytchfoxe when {he is bragged and with cubbe, for then
flie lyeth clofe about hir burrowe, and if flie heare neuer fo little
noyfe, fhe whippeth in quickely before the houndes or any thing
can come neare hir : fhe is a falfe and craftie beafte like vnto the
Wolfe. The hunting of the Foxe is pleafant, for he maketh an
excellent crye, bycaufe his fent is verie hote, and he neuer fleeth
farre before the houndes, but holdeth the ftrongeft couerts, and
fleeth from the fielde, as a beaft which trufteth not in his legges,
nor yet in his ftrength. And if the Foxe flande in his defence, it
is by force, and yet alwayes he will as neare as he can keepe the
couert : yea though he finde none other couert but a buflie, yet he
will flee to it. And when he perceiueth that he maye no longer
endure nor ftande vp before the houndes, then will he take the
earth, and will truft to his Caftles there, which he knoweth per-
fedtly : yet there is he taken alfo, but then muft it be digged, and
that in a fofte or light grounde. If Greyhoundes courfe hym,
then his laft remedie (if he be in the playne) is to bepyfle or to be-
lliyte the Greyhounds, that they may giue him ouer for the ftinke
and filthinelTe thereof, yea, and Greyhoundes are more afrayde
of a Foxe, than of a greater beaft. For I haue feene Greyhounds
which would runne hardly at an Hart, yea, would not refufe the
wilde Bore, nor the Wolfe, and yet they would ftreyne curtefie
at a Foxe. When a bytche Foxe goeth on clycqueting, and feketh
a dogge, file cryeth with a hollowe voyce, like vnto the howling
of a madde dogge : and likewife if flie myfte any of hir cubbes, flie
maketh y* felf fame noyfe : but when they are killed, they wUl ne-
uer crye, but defend themfelues tfll the laft gafpe. A Foxe wil pray
vpon any thing y* he can ouercome, yea, were it a vermine, and will
feede vpon all fortes of caryon : but the meate which they mofte
delight in, is poult rie, as Hennes, Capons, Geefe, Duckes, fmall
birdes, or any thing that they finde. And in default thereof, gen-
tle mafter Raynard will be content with butter, cheefe, creame,
flaunes, and cuftardes. They do much hurt in Warrens and co-
ney burrowes. And they kill Hares alfo by fraude, but not by
force of running. Some Foxes do praye abroade in the woodcs
and fields, like vnto Wolues. And fome there be which praye no

where

The hooke of Hunting i8p

where but in the Villages and countrey Townes: and therein
they are fo fubtile and craftie, that neyther dog nor man can de-
fende them. They lye lurking al day in ditches neare vnto hou-
fes, to fee howe dame Pertlot the hufbandmans henne doth,
and to fee hir chickens vertuoufly brought vp. The fkynne of
the Foxe is a very good furre and a warme, but it is not verie
faire, and it ftinketh alwayes, vnlefle it be verie excedingly well
dreft. The greace and marrowe of a Foxe are verie good to rub
fynewes that are flironke. Of the reft of his fubtleties and pro-
perties I will fpeake more at large in the hunting of him. He
is taken with Houndes, Greyhoundes, Terryers, Nettes and
ginnes. But if the Nettes and ginnes be not ftrong, he will
foone difpatch them like a Wolfe.

Of the nature of a Badger, out of the
fame Author. Chap. 6%

THe Badgerd (fayth he) maketh but flow fpeede before the
hounds, and cannot long ftand vp. So that commonly
file fighteth it out at the Baye, or elfe taketh the earth, and
there is killed with Terryers. For if you finde a Badgerde a-
broad, it fliall not be from hir burrow lightly. A Badger pray-
eth vpon any vermine or other thing, and will feede vpon any
caryon or fruit like vnto the Foxe. The Badgerd battles much
with flcpe, and is a verie fat beaft. Once in a yeare they engender as
the Fox, and they litter them in their holes, euen as the fox doth.
Their biting is venemous, as the Foxes is, but they make better
defence for themfelues, and fight more ftoutly, and are much ftron-
ger. The bloud and greace of a Badgerd, is medicinablc as the
Foxes bloud is alfo. Some hold a blinde opinion, that if a yong
childe fliould weare his firfte flioes of a Badgerdcs leather, he
fliould eucr afterwards hcale a horfe of the Farcine, if he did but
once get vp vpon him. The flefli of a Badger is as much worth
as that of a Foxe, which is to rewarde the hounds withall, and
yet that but of y* greace, and certaine parts of him neither. For few
hounds will eate of a Foxes flclhe, but a Badgcrdes is wallo-

wifh

ipo The looTze of Hunting

wi(h fweet and rammifh. I my felfe haue eaten of it, and difgefted
it well, and without any maner of annoyance. The fkynne of a
Badgerd, is not fo good as the Foxes, for it ferueth for no vfe,
vnlelle it be to make myttens, or to drelle horfcollers withall.

The hunting of the Badgerd, out of the
fame Author. Chap, dp

HE that would huntc a Badgerde, muft fccke the earthes and
burrowes where they lie, and in a fayre moonefliine night, let
him go vnto them vpon a clcare winde, and ftoppe all the holes
but one or two, and in thofc let him fct facks or pokes faltncd with

fome

The hoohe of Hunting ipi

fome drawing ftring which may fliut him in as fone as he ftrei-
neth the bag. Some vfe no more but to fet an Hoope in y^ mouth
of the facke or poke, and fo put it into the hole : and aflbone as the
Badgerd is in the poke and ftreyneth it, the poke flippeth off the
hoope and followeth him into the earth, and lb he lieth tumbling
therein vntill he be taken, and thefe men are of opinion, that af-
foone as y^ Badgerds head is once within the Sacke or hole, hee
will lie ftill and wil not turne backe againe for any thing. The
bagges or Sacks being thus fet, let your Huntfman caft off hys
Houndes, and beate all the groues, hedges, and tufts, within a
mile or halfe a mile about, whiche are moft likely : and when the
Badgerd heareth any hunting, hee will ftraightwayes home to
his earth, and there is taken as befbrefayd. Euer remember that
he which ftandeth to watch the pokes, do ftand clofe and vpon a
cleare wind, for elfe the Badgerd will foone find him and then wil
forfake that earth to feeke fome other, or elfe to efcape fome other
way : but if y^ hounds chance to encounter him, or to vndertake y '
chace before he be gotten into his earth, or recouered ncare vnto it,
then wil he ftand at bay like a Bore, and make you good paftime.

Oi the hunting of a Foxe aboue the ground
out of the fame Author. Chap. 70

HE that would hunt a Foxe aboue the ground, (lull do well
to beate with his houndes in the thickeft queaches,andtuftsor
groues neare vnto Villages, and in thicke hedgcrowes and fuch
other places. For commonly a Foxe will lurke in fuch, to pray
or efpie his aduantage vpon dame Pertelot, and fuch other damfels
that kcpe in thofe Courts, and to fee yong piggcs well ringlcd
when they are yong, for feare least they Ihould Icarne to turne vp
Gentlemens paftures, and to marre their meadowes w* rowting, for
furcly M. Raynerd is a very well difpofed man, and would be
loth to fee youth fal into fuch follie in any common wealth where
he may ftrike a ftroke. Alfo in y^ countries where wine is made,
he will lie much in the Vineyards, and (as fome hold opinion) will
eatc of y® Grapes. Ones he lieth always in couert and obfcure pla-
ces, like an honeft plainmcning creature, which carcth not grctly
for to come at y® Court. Wei, the Huntfman which would haue

good

I pi The booke of Hunting

good paiHme at this vermine, fliall do well to flop vp his earthes
if he can finde them : and let him ftoppe them vp the night be-
fore he meaneth to hunte. About midnight when he may be fure
that the Foxe is gone abroade to feeke his praye, let the earthes
then be flopped with boughes and earth well and flrongly ram-
med, that mafter Raynard get not in again ouer haflely. Some
vfe to fet vp bleinchers, or lewels (which are white papers) or to
lay two white flickes a croUe before the hole, and holde opinion,
that when a Foxe efpyeth thofe flickes or fewels, he will mi-
fhrufl that it is fome engin to take him, and will turne backe
againe : but I thinke not that fo fure as to floppe the earthes. If
the huntfman know not where the earthes be, let him feeke them
out two or three days before he meaneth to hunt, and ftop them.
But bicaufe fomtimes a huntfman can not find al the blinde earthes
y* are in couerts and greate woods : then if a Foxe finde out fome
of them, and fo beguile the huntefman, he maye yet get him out
eyther quicke or deade, without Terryers, in this manner. If
there be any more holes than one in the earth, let him fet purfe-
nets or bagges in one of the holes vnder the winde, euen as he
would fet for a Badgerd, and let him flop vp all the holes befides,
but one, and let that one be aboue the wynde as neare as he can.
Then let him take a piece of parchment or leather, and laye it in
the hole, laying fyre vpon it, and putting brymftone, Myrre, and
fuch fmothering greace vpon the fire : there withall let him floppe
vp the hole, and fufler the fmother to go into the earth. This done,
the Foxe will not long abide in the earth, but will either flarte
into the purfnet or bagge, or elfe will found dead the next day at
fome other of the holes mouthes which were flopped. The befl
hunting of the Foxe aboue the ground is in lanuarie, Februarie,
and March. Yet you may hunt him from Alhollantide, vntil
Eafler. When y" leaues are falne, you fliail befl fee your houndes
hunting, and bell findehis earths. And alfo at yUime the Foxes fkyn
(which is the bcft part of him) is befl in feafon. Againe, the houn-
des do bcft hunt a Foxe in the coldcfb weather, bicaufe he leaueth
a verie ftrong fcnt after him. Alwayes fet your Greyhounds on
the outfides of the couertes vnderncath the winde, and let them

flande

The boohe of Hunting ipg

ftand clofe, call of at the firft but the thirde part of your kennell
to finde him : The reft you fliall caufe to be led vp and downe
the couerts, in pathos and high wayes, to caft off" vnto their id.~
lowes when he is found. It is not good to caft off^too many hounds
at once, bicaufe woods and couerts are full of fundry chafes, and
fo you fhould haue your kennell vndertake fundry beaftes, and
lofe your paftime. Let thofe which you caft off" firfte, be olde,
ftanch, and fure houndes. And if you heare fuche a houndecall on
merily, you may caft off' fome other to him, and when they run
it with ful cry, caft off" the reft, and you fliall heare good paftime.
For a Foxe will not willingly depart out of the couerte, where
he hath bin accuftomed to ly, but wil wheele about in the thicks,
and thereby make you much the better paftime. The wordes of
comforting y® hounds, the hallowing, and all fuch like ceremonies,
are euen the fame which you vfe in hunting of other chafes and
vermine. When he is dead, you fliall hang him vp on the end ot
a ftrong pyked ftaffe, and hallow in al your hounds to bay him,
then make them reward with fuch things as you can get, for the
flefli of a Fox is not to reward them w*all, for they wil not eate it.

Howe to digge for a Foxe or a Badgerde,

and what inftrumentes are meete

for the fame. Chap. 71

THey which will heare good paftime at a Foxe, or a Bad-
gerd within the grounde, muft be furniflied with fuchc
tooles and appertinances as followe, and as are hecre before
this prefent chapter portrayed. Firft let there be in the com- t)^ are but
pany, fiue or fixe ftrong fellowes which can well endure to dyg '^'^" ""'^
and dclue. Next you muft haue as many good and arrant Ter- ^hich'^enot
riers, garniflied with collers full of belles, to make the Foxe ov fo needfuiito
Badgerd ft art the foncr, and alfo their collers wil be fome defence ^^ /""■''■"J'''^-
to faue them from hurting. But when your Terriers are out of
breath, or that the Belles are ftoppcd and glutted vp with earth,
or that you pcrceiuc the vermine is angled (whiche is to fay,
gone to the furdeft parte of his chamber to ftand at defence) then
you may take off" the collers : but at the firft they feruc to grcatc

purpofe.

ip4 1^^^ hoohe of Hunting

purpofe, to make the vermine eyther ftart or angle. Then to
retourne vnto my matter, a Lord or Gentleman whiche will fol-
low this paftime, fliould haue halfe a dozen Mattes to lie vppon
the ground on, as they hearken to the Terriers : fome vfe to Car-
rie a windbed whiche is made of leather ftrongly fowed on all
the foure fides, and hauing a Pype at one of the corners to blow
it as you woulde blowe a Baggepype, and when it is blowen
full of wind, to ftoppe it vp and lie vpon it on the grounde : but
this were too great curiofitie : and yet a Lord or Gentleman can-
not take too great heede of the colde and moyfture of the earthe,
for he may thereby take fundrie difeafes and infirmities. The in-
ftruments to digge withal muft be thcfe, fliarpe poynted Spades,
round hollowed Spades, and flatte broade Spades, Howes, or
Mattocks, and Pickaxes, a Colerake and a payre of Clampes or
Holdfafts, Shouells both fliodde and bare, an Axe and a fliarpe
paring Spade, the fliarp pointed Spade ferueth to begin y® trench
firft, where the ground is hardeft and broader tooles would not
fo wel enter : the round hollowed Spade ferueth to digge amongft
Rootes, and may be fo made with fuch fliarpe edges, that it will
cut the rootes alfo : the flat broade Spade, to digge withall when
the trenche is better opened and the grounde fofter : the Howes,
Mattocks, and Pickaxes to digge with in harder grounde where
a Spade will make no riddance of the worke: the Colerake to
clenfe the hole and to keepe it from flopping vp : the clampes or
holdfafts to take a Foxe or Bagerd out aliue, wherewith you
may make paftime afterwards, or to help the terriers when they
are aferd to bite a vermine : y® Shouels both lliod and bare, ferue
to caft out y" earth which the Spades or Mattocks haue digged,
according to y^ hardneffe or foftnefTe of y® grounde wherein you
digge : the paring Spade to keepe the trenche in fafliion : and the
Axe to cut the rootes or any other thing withall. You fliall alfo
haue a Payle to fet water vnto your Terriers at fuche times as
they come out to take breath. AH thcfe inftruments I haue caufed
to be portrayed y* you may the better perceyue them. And w* thefe
inftruments and fuch like necefTary implements a Lord or Gentle-
man may fill a prcttic little Cart or Wagon made fory® purpofe,
y* which he may caufe to be caried on field with him, alwais pro-

uided

The hooke of Hunting igs

uided that when the fayd cariage is loded, he forget not to caufe
his Cooke and Butler to hang good ftore of bags and bottels
about the raues and pinnes thereof, for it will be both comely and
comfortable. In this order of battell, a noble man or gentleman
may march to befiege the Foxe and Badgerd, in their llrongeft ,
holes and caftles. And may breake their Cafmats, Platformes,
Parapets, and worke to them with Mynes, and countermines,
vntill they get their fkynnes, to make furres and myttens,

Howe to enter your Terriers according to the
ground, and how to trench and dig. Cha. 72

BEfore you put your Terriers into the ground, you mufb haue
confideration what kynd of mould it is, and marke well the
lituation thereof, and as neare as you can, iudge where aboutes
the chiefe angles or chambers fliould be, for elfe you may worke
cleane contrarie, and rather hinder the Terriers than further them.
As if the earth or burrowe, be hanging on a fide of a banke, you
fliall do befte to put in your Terriers bylowe, towardes the
vale, to the end that you may make the vermine chamber on the
top of the banke, where the earth is not deepe, and where you may
digge to him with moft eafe. Againe, if the earth be on the top
of a banke, and the banke ftandeth in a playne plot of grounde,
then you fhall doe beft to put in your Terriers, in thofe holes
which are higheft on the toppe of the banke : and ftrike with a
ftaffe vpon the banke, to make the vermine flee downe into the
loweft parts, and there to chamber or angle themfelues. It fliall not
be amiflc, to put in a Terrier or twaine at the firft without any
noife, to make the vermin di{reuer,and to chamber themfelues. Foxes
and Badgerds which haue bin beaten, haue this fubtletie, to drawe
vnto the largeft part of the burrow, where three or foure angles
mecte togethcrs, and there to ftande at bay with the Terriers, to
the ende they may afterwardes fhift, and goe to which chamber
they lilt. In fuch a cafe ftrike harde vpon the ground right ouer
them : and if you fee that they will not remoue fo, then take your
round hollowed fpadc, and digge in to them right vpon them.
But when they are chambred, then you llial not digge right vpon
them, but right vpon the Terrier. For if you dig right vpon the

ver-

1^6 The hooke of Hunting

vermyne, it might make them to bolt into fome other angle, and
to enforce the Terryer to giue them place. Therfore you flial dig
right ouer the Terryers with a round hollowed fpade, the which
will conuey the earth with it, and is made principally for fuche
a purpofe. And when you haue digged fo long that you be come
to the angle, then thrull your fpade betweene the vermine and the
Terryer, fo that the vermine can not by any meanes come out
vpon your Terrier. For in fome chamber you may chance to find
fiue or fixe vermin together, which might hurt your poore terrier,
and difcourage him. When you haue ftopped them in thus, then
work with your broad fpades and other tooles, and make a large
trench if you will haue good fport, and put in your Terryers to
the vermine, and you fliall fee bold fight of all fafliions. You
muft take heede to the fubtleties of the vermine, efpecially of
Badgerds. For fometimes they will ftop vp the trench betwene
them and the Terriers, and worke themfelues further in, fo that
your Terriers fliall not be able to find them, nor to know what
is become of them. Somtimes when you haue found their Caf-
mat and chiefe ftrength, you may take them out aliue with your
holdfafts or clampes, and therein vfe this policie and forefight.
Take them with your tongs or clampes by the lower chappe,
the one clampe in the mouth, and the other vnder the throate, and
fo draw them out. For if you fliould take them out by the body
or necke, they fliould haue libertie to byte and fnatch at the Ter-
ryers, which wil be doing with them as you take them out. Being
thus taken, put them into a facke or poke, to hunt with your
Terryers in your gardens or clofe courtes, at your
pleafure. He that will be prefent at fuch paftimes,
may do well to be booted : For I haue lent
a Foxe or a Badgerd ere nowe, a piece of
my hofe, and the fkyn and fleflie
for companie, which he neuer
reftored agayne. Let thefe
fewe precepts fuffife
for the hunting
of Foxes and
Badgerds. " Of

The hoohe of Hunting
Of the Foxe

ipi

RAynerd the Foxe am I, a craftie childe well knowne,
^ Yea better known than credited, w* more than is mine own :
A baftard kynd of curre, mine eares declare the fame,
And yet my wit and pollicie haue purchaft me great fame.

The Foxe to the Huntefman

IF dogs had tong at will to talke in their defence,
if brutifli beaft might be fo bold, to plead at barre for pence,
If poore Tom troth might fpeake, of all that is amyfle.
Then might would beare no right a down : then men would pardon this.
Which 1 muft here declare. Then quickly would be known.
That he which deales with Arrangers faults, fliould firft amend his owne.
Thus much my felfe may fay, thus much my felfe can proue.
Yet whiles I prcache beware the Geefe, for fo it (liall bchoue.
I figh (yet fmyle) to fee, that man (yea mafter man)
Can play his part in pollicie, as well as Raynard can.
And yet forfoth the Foxe is he that beares the blame.
But two leggd Foxes eate the ducks, when foure legs beare the name.
A wonder is to fee, how people flioute and crye,
With hallowes, whoupes, and fpitefuU words, when I poore Fox go by.

Lay

Ip8 The boohe of Hunting

Lay on him cryes the wife, downe with him fayes the childe,
Some ftrike, fom chide, fome throw a ftone, fom fal and be defilde :
As Maidens, when they fpurne, with both their feete attones.
Fie on the Fox y* forft them fo, fuch falles might brufe their bones.
But Raynard doth fuch deeds, and therfore ftrike him down.
His cafe will ferue to fur the cape of mafter huntfmans gowne.
His Lungs full holfome be, in poulder beaten fine.
For fuch as cough and draw their wind, withpaine and mickle pine.
His pyfTell femes to fkoure, the grauell of the ftone.
His greace is good for fynews fhronk, or ache y* grieues the bone.
His tong will draw a thorne, his teeth will burnifli golde.
And by his death a huntfman may, haue profits manyfolde.
The Henne fliall rouft at reft, which he was wont to rowze.
The duck and geefe may bring good broods, y^ pigs may fucke their
And al the Farmers welth, may thriue and come to good, (fowes.
Which craftie Raynard fteales fometimes, to kepe his brats in
Yea foft, but who fayes thus ? who did y^ Lion paint ? (blood.
Forfoth a man : but if a Fox might tell his tale as queint.
Then would he fay againe, that men as craftie be.
As euer Raynard was for theft : euen men which fliefe a fee.
From euerie widowes flocke : a capon or a chicke,
A pyg, a goofe, a dunghill ducke, or ought that f^alt will licke :
Vntill the widowe fterue, and can no longer giue,
This was y® Fox, fie down with him, why fliuld fuch foxes liue ?
Some Foxes lie in waite, and marke the Farmers croppe.
What loads of haye, what grafle for bief, what ftore of wood for
What quantitie of graine he raifeth on his rent, (loppe,

And take a new leafe ore his hcd, before the olde be fpent.
Fye on thefe Foxes fye, what Farmer can do well.
Where fuch vile vermin lie in wait, their priuy gaines to fmell ?
Yea fome can play their part, in flandring neighbors name,
To fay y® wolf did kil the Lamb, when Raynerds eate y* fame.
Thefe faults with many moe, can wicked men commit.
And yet they fay that Foxes palle, for fubtletie and wit.
But Hull 1 fay my minde ? I neuer yet law day, (P^^y*

But cucry town had two or three, which Rainards parts could

So

The hooke of Hunting ipp

So that men vaunt in vaine, which fay they hunt the Foxe,

To kepe their neighbors poultry free, and to defende their flockes.

When they them felues can fpoyle, more profit in an houre.

Than Raynard rifles in a yere, when he doth moft deuoure.

No, no, the minds of men, which ftill be vainely bent,

Muft haue their change of Venerie, as firft the Hare in Lent,

The Hart in Sommers heate, and me poore Foxe in cold :

But wherto ferue thefe fundry fports, thefe chafes manyfold ?

Forfoth to feede their thoughts, with drags of vaine delight.

Whereon moft men do mufe by day, wheron they dream by night.

They muft haue coftly clothes, they muft haue deintie fare.

They muft haue couches ftuft with doune, they muft haue all in fquare.

They muft haue newfound games, to make them laugh their fill.

They muft haue foules, they muft haue beafts, to bayt, to hunt, to kyll.

And all (when all is done) is nothing elfe but vayne.

So Salomon the wifeman fayd, and fo fayes Ray nerd playne.

An aduertifment of the Tranflator

IFinde in myne Author nothing written either of the wild Cat
or of the Marterne, and yet both thofe are vermine whiche we
vfe here in England commonly to hunt, and in my iudgement as
neceftarie to be hunted as any vermine can be. For the queftion
may be doubtfull, whether eyther Foxe or Badgerd doe more
hurt than the wild Cat doth : Since there are few gentlemen in
England but haue commoditie by Conies, either great or fmal :
and I am fure that there is no vermine which doth more hurt in
a Warren of Conies, than a wild Cat doth. And therewithal I
haue heard fomc hunters fay, that flie leaueth as great fent, andma-
kcth as good a cry for the time, as any vermin that is hunted, ef-
pccially the Marterne pafleth all other vermine for fwectncde of
lent, and hir cafe is a noble furre. The wild Cats cafe is nothing
fo good furre, but it is verie warme, and medicinable for fundry
aches and paincs in the bones and ioynts. Alfo hir greace is very
good for fincwcs that be (hronkc. Thefe two chafes are not to be
fought of purpofe, vnlcflc the huntfman doe fee them where they
TURB. vEK. P Pf^y>

2,00 The hoohe of Hunting

pray, and can go readily to him. But if a hound chance to croffe
them, he wil hunt it allbne as any chafe, and they make a noble cry e,
for the time that they fland vp. At laft when they may no more,
they wil take a tree, and therein feeke to begile the hounds. But
if the hounds hold in to them, and will notfogiueitouer, then they
will leape from one tree to another, and make great fhifte for their
Hues, with no kflfe paftime to the huntfmen. When they are kil-
led, you muft hold them vp vpon a pyked ftaflFe, and hallowe in all
your hounds, and then reward them with fome meate. For the flefli
of thefe vermin is not good for a hound. Thus much I haue thou-
ght good of my felf, to write according to my country hunting.

Of the hunting of the Otter. Chap. JS

THc Otter is a beaft well knowne. Shee feedeth on fiflie,
and lyeth neare vnto Ryuers, Brookes, Pooles, and fiflie-
poudes, or Meares : hir lying commonly is vnder the rootes
of trees, and fometimes I haue feene them lying in an hollowe
tree, foure or fine foote aboue the grounde : euen as a Foxe,
Polcat, wildecat, or Badgerd will deftroye a Warren, fo will
the Otter deftroy all the fiflie in your pondes, if flie once
haue founde the waye to them. She dyueth and hunteth
vnder the water, after a wonderfull manner, fo that no fiflie can
efcape hir, vnlefle they be verie great and fwift. A litter of Ot-
ters, will deftroy you all the fiflie in a ryuer (or at leaft, the grea-
teft ftore of them) in two myles length. They goe fault atfuche
times as firrets go fault, which time euery man may eafly know.
And they kindle and bring forth their yong Otters, euen as firrets
do, fomtimes more, and fomtimes lefle. To fpeakatruth,they feem
to be a kind of water firrets. There is great cunning in the hunt-
ing of them, as flial be faide in the next chapter, and alfo it is pofllible
totakethemvnderthewater,and by the ryuers fide, both in traps and
in fnarcs, as you may take a Hare with Harepypes, or fuch like
gynnes. They byte fore and venomoufly, and defende them
felucs ftoutly. And if they be taken in fnares, if they abyde long,
they will fonc flieare themfelues out with their teeth. 1 will not
fpeake much more of their nature, but onely that they are footed

lyke

The hoohe of Hunting 201

like a Goofe : I meane they haue a webbe betweene theyr clawes,
and haue no heele but onely a rounde ball vnder their foale of
their foote : and their tracke is called the marke of an Otter, as we
fay, the flot of an Hart : and their fewmetsare called fpraynts, as
hath bene fayde before. An Otter abideth not much nor long in
one place, but if flie be frayed or finde any fault (as they are very
perfedily of fmellyng and hearing) they will forfake their couche
and fliifte a mile or two vp or downe a riuer : the like wil flie do if
file haue once deftroyed the ftore of fiflie, and iinde no plentie of
feeding. From a pondgarden or good ftore of fiflipondes flie wil
not lightly be remoued, as long as there is ftore of fifli in them :
for therein fiflies are taken with more eafe, than in the Riuers or
greater waters : but inough of their natures.

How to hunte and take an Otter. Chap. 74

WHen a huntefman would hunte the Otter, he fliould firft
fend foure feruants or varlets with bloudhounds or fuch
houndes as will drawe in the lyame, and let him fende them, twoo
vp the Riuer, and two downe the riuer, the one couple of them on
that one fide, and the other on that other fide of the water. And fo
you flial be fure to finde if there be an Otter in y* quarter : for an
Otter cannot long abide in y water, but mull come forth in the
night to make his fpraynts, and fometimes to feede on grafle and
hearbes by the waters lide. If any of theyr lyamhounds finde of
an Otter, let y^ huntefman looke in the fofte groundes and moyll:
places to fee which way he bent the head, vp or downe the riuer :
or if he cannot perceyue it by the markes, he may partly pcrceyue
it by y® fprayntes and then he may follow his hounde, and lodge it
euen as you would do a Dcare, or a Bore. And if he finde not the
Otter quickly, he may then iudge that he is gone to couche
fomewhere further off from the water : for an Otter will fome-
times fccke his fccde. a myle (or little leffe) from his couche and
place of refte: and commonly he will rather go vp the Riuer
than downe : for goyng vp the ffrcamc, the llrcame bringcth him
fent of the fiflies that are aboue him : and bearing his nofe into
the winde, he fliall the fooner finde any faulte that is aboue him.

P a alfo

202 The booke of Hunting

alfo you fhould make an aflembly tor the Otter as you do for y«
Harte, and it is a note to be obferued that all fuch chaces as you
draw after before you finde them, lodge them, or herbor them, you
flioulde make a folempne aflembly to heare all reportes before
you vndertake to hunte them, and then he which hath found of an
Otter, or fo drawen toward his couche that he can vndertake to
bryng you vnto him, fhall caufe his houndes to be vncoupled a
bowfliotte or twayne before he come at the place where he thin-
keth that the Otter lieth : bycaufe they may fkommer and cafte
about a while vntill they haue cooled their bawling and brayne-
ficke toyes, whiche all houndes do lightly vfe at the iirft vncou-
plyng : then the varlets of the kennell fliall feeke by the riuers
fide, and beate the bankes with theyr houndes vntill fome one of
them chaunce vpon the Otter : remember alwayes to fet out fome
vpwards and fome downe the ftreames, and euery man his Ot-
ter fpeare or forked ftaffe in his hande, to watche his ventes, for
that is the chiefe aduantage : and if they perceyue where the Ot-
ter commeth vnder the water (as they may perceyue if they marke
it well) then fhall they watche to fee if they can get to ftand be-
fore him at fome place where he would vent, and ftryke him with
theyr fpeare or ftaffe : and if they milTe, then fhall they runne vp
or downe the ftreame as they fee the Otter bend, vntil they may
at lafl giue him a Blowe: for if the houndes be good Otter
houndes and perfectly entred, they will come chaunting and
trayling alongftby the riuers fide, and will beate euery tree roote,
euery holme, euery Ofier bedde, and tufft of bulruflies : yea fom-
times alfo they will take the ryuer and beate it like a water fpa-
niell : fo that it fliall not be poffible for the Otter to efcape, but
that eythcr the houndes fliall light vpon him, or els fome of the
huntelmen fliall ftrike him, and thus may you haue excellent
fporte and paftime in hunting of the Otter, if the houndes be
good, and that the Riuers be not oucr great : where the Riuers
be grcatc, fome vfe to haue a lyne throwen oucrthwart the Ri-
uer, the whiche twoo of the huntefmen fliall holde by eche ende,
one on the one fide of the Riucr, and the other on that other : and
let them holde the line fo flackc that it may alwayes be vnder-

neath

The hooke of Hunting 203

neath the water, and fo go on w*it: and if y® Otter come diuing
vnder y« water, he fliall of neceflitie touche their line, and fo they
flial feele and know which way he is pafTed, the which flial make
him be taken the fooner. An Otters fkinne is very good furre,
and his greafe wil make a medicine to make fiflies turn vp their
bellies as if they were deade. A good Otter hounde may proue
an excellent good buckhound, if he be not old before he be entred.
Thus haue you now afmuch as I can prefently fet down for
y* hunting of fuch chaces as I thinke likely or poflible to be hun-
ted in this our cuntry : yea fome alfo percafe which you wil fay
are not in vfe w* vs at thefe dales. But bicaufe I haue fuffici-
ently declared mine intent in myne Epiftle in the beginning of
this book, therfore I wil fpende no more time in exculing of my
felf : but wil pafle ouer vnto y* Woulfe, and the Beare, which are
as ftrange and ftranger than any other that I hitherto named.

The Otters oration

WHy ftande wc bcaftes abaflit, or fpare to fpeake ?
Why make we not a vertuc of our neede?
We know by proofc, in witte we are too wcake,
And weaker muche, bicaufe all Adams feede,
(Whichc bcare away the weyght of witte in deede)

Do

204 "^^^^ boohe of Hunting

Do day]y feeke our names for to diftayne,

With flandrous blotte, for whiche we Beaftes be flayne.

Firfte of my felte, before the reft to treate,
Mofte men crye out, that fiflie I do deuoure,
Yea fome will fay, that Lambes (with mee) be meate :
I graunte to bothe, and he that hath the powre.
To feede on fiflie that fweeter were than fowre.
And had yong fleflie to banquet at his fill,
Were fonde to fraunche on garbage, graynes, or fwyll.

But mafter Man, which findeth all this fault.
And ftreynes deuife for many a dayntie diflie,
Whiche fufFreth not that hunger him aflault.
But feedes his fill on euery fleflie and fiflie,
Whiche mufte haue all, as muche as witte can wiflie,
Vs feely Beaftes, deuouring Beaftes do call.
And he himfelfe, mofte bloudie beafte of all.

Well yet mee thinkes, I heare him preache this Texte,
Howe all that is, luas made for vfe of man:
So was it fure, but therewith followes next.
This heauie place, expounde it who fo can :
The very Scourge and Flague of God his Ban,
Will lyght on fuche as queyntly can deuife
To eate more meate, than may their mouthes fuflfife.

Nowe mafter Man, ftande foorth and here declare.
Who euer yet coulde fee an Otter eate
More meate at once, than ferued for his fliare ?
Who fees vs beaftes fitte bybbing in our feate.
With fundry wynes, and fundry kindes of meate ?
Whiche breede difcafe, yfoftrcd in fuche feaftes.
If men do fo, be they not woorfe than beaftes ?

The bcaftly man, mufte fitte all day and quaffe.
The Beafte indccdc, doth drincke but twice a day.
The btaftly man, mufte ftufte his monftrous maffe
With fccrete caufe of furfetting alwaye :
Where beafts be glad to feede when they get pray,

And

The hooke of Hunting 2 of

And neuer eate more than may do them good.
Where men be ficke, and furfet thorough foode

Who fees a Beaft, for faurie Sawces long ?
Who fees a Beaft, or chicke or Capon cramme ?
Who fees a Beaft, once luld on fleepe with fong ?
Who fees a Beaft make venfone of a Ramme ?
Who fees a Beaft deftroy both whelpe and damme ?
Who fees a Beaft vfe beaftly Gluttonie ?
Which man doth vfe, for great Ciuilitie.

I know not I, if dyuing be my fault.
Me thinks moft men can diue as well as I :
Some men can diue in Seller and in vault.
In Parlor, Hall, Kitchen and Buttery,
To fmell the rofte, whereof the fume doth flee :
And as for gaines, men diue in euery ftreame,
AH frawdes be fidie, their ftomacks neuer fqueame.

So to conclude, when men their faults can mend.
And fliunne the fliame, wherewith they beafts do blot.
When men their time and treafure not mifpende,
But follow grace, which is with paines ygot,
When men can vice rebuke and vfe it not :
Then fliall they fliine, like men of worthy fame.
And elfe they be but Beafis well worthy blame.

Of the hunting of the Wolfe : and firft of
their nature and properties. Chap, js

THe Wolfe is a beaft fufficiently knowen in Fraunce and
other Countries where he is bred : but here in England they
be not to be found in any place. In Ireland (as I haue heard)
there are great ftore of them : and bycaufe many Noble men
and Gentlemen, haue a defire to bring that Countric to be in-
habited and ciuilly goucrncd (and would God ther were moe
of the fame mind) therefore 1 haue thought good to fet downe
the nature and maner of hunting at the Wolfe according to
mine Author. The Wolfe (fayeth he) goeth on clickcting in
February, in fuch fort as a Dogge lincth a bitch when llie goeth

faulte.

2o5 The hooke of Hunting

faulte, wherein they abide ten or twelue dayes : many Wolues
(where ftore be) do follow one fhe Wolfe, euen as Dogges fol-
low a Bitche : but flie will neuer be lined but onely with one.
She will fufFer many to follow hir, and will carrie them after
hir fometimes eight or tenne dayes without meate, drinke, or
reft : and when they are ouerwearied, then flie fufFreth them all
to take their eafe, vntill they route and be faft on fleepe ; and then
will file awake y* Wolfe which feemeth moft to haue folowed
hir, and that oftentimes is the fouleft and worft fauourd, bycaufe
he is ouerwearied and lankefl: him will flie awake and tyce
him away with hir farre from the reft, and fuffer him to line hir.
There is a common Prouerbe, which faith that : Neuer Wolfe
yetfaivehis Syre : for indeede it hapneth moft commonly that when
all the reft of the Wolues do awake and miflTe the female, they
follow them by the fent, and finding them oftentimes togy-
ther, they fall vpon that Wolfe and kill him for defpite. But
if there bee no greater ftore than one Dogge Wolfe and one
bitche in a place, then this Prouerbe fayleth : yea or fometimes
alfo the reft of the Wolues are fo long ere they do awake and
follow, that they cannot fo quickly difpatch or kill him accor-
ding to their defire, and then alfo it faileth. Their whelps are
able to engender within twelue months : and when their whelps be
a yere old, then they part from their Syre and from their Dam : yea
fometimes fooner, but not before their teeth be caft and lliot out
againe, for they caft teeth firft when they are halfe yere old, and
when they are come vp again, they neuer caft more al their life
time. Then they depart from their dam when thofe teeth are come
out again and grown hard, and they feke their aduenture, and prayfor
them felf: and if they chance to meete their fyre or dam at anytime
after, they wil fawne vpon them, and licke them, and feme in their
kindgreatly to reioyce. Agood examplefor fundryeuildifpofed chil-
dren, which become vngrateful to their parents, which bring them
vp carefully : Since the brute beaft can teach them their dutie, only
by y^inftind: and motions of nature. Alfowhena dog and a bitch of
them do company once togithcrs, they will not lightly part in fun-
der : for thogh they pray in diucrs places, yet at night they wil

meete

The hoohe of Hunting 207

meete againe, or at the leaft once in two dayes if it be poflible :
and they beare meate vnto their whelpes togethers : but the dog
will firft eate his fill, and then carle the rell vnto his whelpes :
But the bytche beareth the pray vnto hir whelpes before fhe eate
any thereof hir felf, and if the dogge like it, and haue not fatiffied
his hunger before, he will take it both from hir and the whelpes,
and ^te:d& his fill thereon firft. After he will leaue the reft for them
to feede on, if there be any, and if there be not, let them fterue for
him if they will, fo that he maketh not account of any thing, vn-
till his belly be full, but the bytch doth oftentimes beguile him.
She leaueth the pray farre from their denne, and if flie perceyue
that the dogge be gone, then bringeth flie it to hir whelpes : but
if the dogge be there and perceyue that llie hath brought nothing,
he fmelleth tohirmouthand hir lippes: if flie haue nothing indeede
then he beateth hyr: but if he fmell by hir that flie had prayed, he
conftreyneth hyr to fhew it vnto him, or els hunteth backe him-
felfe by the counter of hir footing, and fo findeth it out. Some
hold opinion that the bytche wartieth hir felfe all ouer, bycaufe
the dogge flioulde not fmell whether flie haue prayed or not :
but y* 1 dare not fweare on a booke. Some heauy Wolues wil
neuer helpe their bitches to feede theyr whelpes, but if it be in a
place where there are no ftore of Wolues, as no more but he and
his make, then he knoweth by the fmell that the whelpes are
his, and helpeth the Bitch to pray for them, and to feede them,
but vncurtuoufly as I fayde before, Y^ males are fatteft when
they haue fmall whelpes : for they feede not only vpon their owne
prouifion, but alfo vpon that whiche their makes and their whelpes
fliould eate alfo : they go nine weekes with whelpe, and fome-
times three or foure dayes longer, and go fault but once in a yere.
Some hold opinion that a Bitche will not haue yong whelpes
nor engender as long as hir owne Dame is aliue. They haue
whelpes in all refpedts like vnto our dogges, fometimcs more and
fometime lefiTe : for doubtlefle both the Foxe and the Wolfe are but
a kind of wild Maftyfes and wild curres : they be of great force
efpcciaily in their foreparts : they bite fore and dangeroufly, for
fometimcs they will kill a Cowe or a Bullockc : and they will

roundly

2o8 The hooke of Hunting

roundely carie a flieepe, a Gote, or a good porkine in their mouth
and neuer touch the ground with it, and wil runne fo faft away with
it, that vnleffe horfemen or Maftife dogs do ftay them, they will
hardly be ouertaken, eyther by the heardman or by an other crea-
ture. They pray vpon al kinde of things, and wil feede vpon any
carion or any vermine : they Hue not long nor aboue .xii. or .xiiii.
yeares at moft. When he hath fedde vpon any vermine or ferpent
(as he doth often) then runneth he wonderfully faft. In fuch forte
that I haue feene a Wolfe (being emptie) out runne four or fiue
brace of the beft Greyhoundes that might be founde : for there is
no beaft whiche runneth fafter than he, and he holdeth marue-
loufly alfo : when he is hunted with houndes, he flieth not farre
before them : and vnleflTe he be courfed with Greyhounds or Ma-
ftiues, he keepeth the couert like a Bore or a Beare, and efpecially
the beaten waies therein: moft commonly he prayeth by night, but
fometimes alfo by day when he is hungry. Some Wolues will
praye vpon Deare, Gotes, and fwyne, and fent as freflily and as
tenderly as an hounde : fome alfo wil eate a dogge if they catch
him : and fome of them kill children and men fometimes : and then
they neuer feede nor pray vpon any other thing afterwards when
they haue once bene fleflicd and noufled therein, but die fometimes
for hunger. Such Wolues are called Wariuolues^ bicaufe a man
had neede to beware of them, they be fo craftie that when they af-
fayle a man, they flee vpon him and lay hold on him before he per-
ceyue them : but if he perceyue them firft, then they affayle him fo
lubtillie y* he flial hardly efcape their teeth, and can marueloufly
defend themfelues from any weapon that a man hath for his de-
fence. There are two caufes which make them fet vpon mankind :
one is, that when they be old and feeble, and that their teeth begin to
fayle them, then can they not carrie their pray as they were wont:
fo that they learne with more eafe to pray firfte vpon children
which they meete or efpie, which pray can neyther make refiftance,
nor is necdefuU to carie it farre: andthcrwithall the fkinneand fleflie
is much more tender and delicate than the fkinne and fleflie of any
other pray. Another reafon is, that in countries where warre is
made,and wherebattayles andfkirmiflies are giuen, there they feede

vpon

The hoohe of Hunting 2op

vpon the dead carkaflcs of men whiche lie flayne in the fielde, as
also in other places vpon fuche as hang on the gibbets and trees
being executed by luftice. And the flefli of man is fo delicate and
toothfome, y* when they haue once tafted of it, they care for none
other meate. I haue feene a Wolfe forfake the fold, and kill the
heardefman. They are more craftie (if more may be) than the Fox
or any other beaft : when they are hunted they will take al their
aduantages, at other times they will neuer runne ouer haftely,
but keepe themfelues in breath and force alwayes : they haue al-
wayes neede thereof, for there palTe few dayes but that they are
courfed or cried at by as many as fee them, in the countries where
they haunt. A Wolfe wil Hand vp a whole day before a good ken-
nell of houndes vnlefle y Greyhoundes cource him: moft com-
monly he is taken in fome village or hammelct : he will feldome
Hand at Baye, vnlefle it be when he cannot longer endure : and
then he becomes mad : the bityng of a Wolfe wil hardly be hea-
led as 1 haue before fayde, for their biting is venemous and ranc-
Jeth fore. And againe,bicaufethey are oftentimes madde, andthen
there is no curefortheir biting: when they haueouerfed themfelues
or are ficke in their body, they eate grafle as a dogge doth : they can
wel abide hunger at fome times, for a Wolfe may bide without
meate fixe or feuen dayes : but then wo be to y' pray that he next
meeteth. The bitche wolfc will neuer lightly parte farre from hir
whelpes when they be yong, for feare leaft Ihe fhould leefe them.
When a wolfe findeth a litter of pigges, or a flocke of flieepe, he
will (by his wil) kill them all before he feede vpon any of them.
They are hunted at force, taken w* greyhounds or mallyfcs, and
hanged in ginncs and fnarcs. But it had neede to be a ftrong
fnare y* fliould holde them vnlefle helpe come in the fooncr : they
are alfo killed in ditches where they pafle, w* needels, venemous
pouders, and diuerfe fuch other things which men lay in baytes for
them. When y^heardes and flieepe come downe from the Mountaines
tografe and feede in y« valleys,thcn they defcend alfo to feeke their
pray. They follow a campe commonly, to feedeon y* carion ofhorfes
and fuch other bealles as men leaue behind them. They barke and howle
like vnto dogs, and if there be two of them togither they make fuch

a ter-

2 1 o The boohe of Hunting

a terrible noyfe that you woulde thinke there were .xx. of them :
this do they moft commonly when it is fayre weather, or when
they are yong and not paft a yeare old, or that they be trayned to
any place for to hunte afterwardes : and furely when they be fo
trayned, they will hardly abide where they feede, and efpecially
old Wolues, if it be at y^ firffc time that they haue bene trayned :
but if they once haue bene accuftomed to it, then they will abide
the better. Some of them be fo craftie, that when they pray by
night, they will flie a myle or two from thence before day, efpe-
cially if it be in a place where they haue bene hunted or ftirred, or
that they finde fome trayne of fleflie made for them. They crie
not at all when they are killed, as our dogges do, but in diuerfe
other properties they refemble a dogge. It is harde or almofte
vnpoflible to keepe or bryng vp a Wolfe fo yong, or fo faft tied
in fubiedtion, or fo corred:ed and kept in awe, but that it will do
fome mifchiefe at any time that it get libertie and finde meane
to do fo : and the tameft that euer was yet, woulde (if it were
ledde abrode) looke this way and that way, to efpie fomewhat
that it might be doyng withall. For both a Wolfe is doubtfull
that men meane harme vnto him : and agayne he knoweth well
in his owne confcience that he dothe many flirewde turnes, and
that therefore men hunte and purfue him : but for all that he wil
neuer leaue his malicious nature : it is written that the right
forefoote of a Wolfe is medecinable for the fwelling in the
throate, and for the inflamacion of the liuer : their fkinnes are ex-
cellent furre and durable.

How to hunte them. Chap. 76

WHen a huntefman woulde hunte the Wolfe, he mufte
trayne them by thefe meanes. Firfte lette him looke out
fome fayre place a myle or more from the greate woodes where
there be fome clofe {landing to place a brace of good Greyhounds
in, if nccdc be, the whiche flioulde be clofe enuironed, and fome
pondc or water by it : there fliall he kill a horfe or fome other
great bcaft, and take the foure Icgges thereof and carie them

into

The hooke of Hunting 1 1 1

into the woods and Forefts adioyning. Then let foure goodfel-
lowes take euery man a legge of the beaft, and drawe it at his
horfe tayle all alongft the pathes and wayes in the woodes vntill
they come backe agayne vnto the place where the dead beaft li-
eth : there lette them lay downe their traynes. And when the
Wolues go out in the night to pray and to feede, they wil croflTe
vpon the trayne and follow it, vntill they come at the dead ca-
rion: there they will feede theyr fill. And then let the huntefman
aboute the breake of day go thether, and leaue his horfe a good
way of vnderneath the winde, and come fayre and foftely to the
place to efpie if there be any Wolues feedyng. If there be, he
may retire and ftyrre them not, and neuer looke how much or how
little they haue fedde : for it is fufficient if the huntefman fee them,
fince they are fo craftie and fubtile as I haue beforefayd. Then let
him clime into fome tree there by, and looke which way the Wolfe
goeth, and where it is likely that he will lie. For as I haue fayd,
they will not lightly tarie whereas they feede, but rather will be
gone very earely in the grey mornyng ; for whether they came
late or earely, or whether they would lie in the Sunne rather than
in the couert, or that they would voyde and emptie their bellies,
or whether it be fo that they haue bene lately ftyrred and hun-
ted, I councell the huntefman to be gone betymes, and fo fliall
he be fure to fee certainely : and if he cannot fee them, then lette
him looke vpon the carion whether they haue bene at it or not :
and how many he gcffeth haue bene at it, accordyng to the pla-
ces that he fliall fee gnawen or fedde vpon : and then lette him
returne to his Lordc or Mailer, and make reporte accordingly.
And let him marke and looke in the wayes which are about the
nexte couert or the couert whiche they are gone into, whether
they be there entred or paile on furder. And it his hounde will
fticke willingly vpon the trackc of a Wolfe, and will challenge
it, then he may calle aboute the couert and come not within
any parte thereof, and fo Hull he be bell aflured whether they be
there ftayed or not : for his hounde will vent it out ftyll as he
goeth. And thercwithall let him marke and iudgc whether they
do all kccpe companic ftill togither or not, for many times fome

one

212, The hooke of Hunting

one will be gone, and all the reft will abide, or els fome one wil
abide, and all the reft will be gone : but thofe whiche be full, do
moft willingly tarie alwayes : and when they fedde not theyr fill
the day before, then they tarie longer than fuche as fedde their
fill ouer night, or yong Wolues, or fuche other : for an olde
Wolfe is fo doubtfuil and fo full of miftruft, that he will fel-
dome abide where he feedeth. And therefore it were no badde
pollicie, to leaue but little meate at the place wherevnto you
trayne, and to leaue harde by the place, fome weake beaft tyed,
fo that it can neyther ftray away nor make defence. And when
the Wolues come and finde but little carion at the place, then
to fatiffie their hunger, they will fall vppon that beafte and de-
uoure it : Whiche if they do not the firfte night, they will fure-
ly do it the nexte night if you obferue that order : and by that
meanes they will feede theyr fill, and the rather abyde and tarie
by it or neare vnto it : for they are gluttons, and defirous to
keepe the remnant of their praye, when they haue killed a beaft
and leaue any of it. And when the Huntefman fliall by thefe
meanes haue bene aflured of theyr feedyng twoo nightes togi-
ther, then may he make preparacion to hunte them on the thirde
day : or if they fayle to come vnto the trayne the firfte or fe-
conde daye, then lette him fende out Varlettes to trayne from
aboute all the couerts adioyning vnto the fame place: and fo
doyng, he cannot miffe but drawe Wolues thither once within
twoo or three nightes, vnlefte it be in Februarie. In that mo-
neth they make fmall accoumpt of any trayne, by reafon of their
heate in followyng the Saulte bitches. And fometimes alfo
a Wolfe will followe the trayne euen vntill they come at the ca-
rion, and yet when they come there will go their wayes and
not \eedc vppon it. In fuche a cafe the Huntefman fliall change
his trayne and carion, as if it were of Horfefleflie, or beefe, lette
him make it of Shecpes or Goates flelhe, or the fleflie of an
Afle (whiche Wolues do loue exceedingly,) or of Hogges flefli :
for otherwyfe he flioulde not be able to knowc whether there
be any Wolues neare vnto the place where he trayned or not :

and

The hoohe of Hunting ill

and if he double thereof, then fliall he fayne a voyce, and call or
barke, and howle lyke a Wolfe: and if there be any Wolues
in the whole couert within the hearyng they will anfwere him.
Agayne, if they come to the carion, and feede not in two or three
nightes one after another, or that they feede and go their wayes
and tarie not in any couert neare adioyning, then lette him
ouernight hang vp the carion in fome trees, fo highe that they
cannot come by it : and yet leaue fome bones vpon the ground,
to the ende they may gnawe vpon them. And lette him tarie in
the woode vntill it be as it were an houre before day : and lette
him leaue by the caryon the garments of fome Shepherde or
Heardefman, that the Wolues may haue no miftrull of hym
where he ftandeth : then when it is not paflyng halfc an houre
or little more before daye, lette hym put downe the caryon and
go his wayes, and then the Wolues commyng too it, and ha-
uing not fedde all the night before, will feede hungerly, and
through their gluttonie will forgette themfelues and abyde vn-
till it be farre foorth dayes, and fo go to kennell in the couerts
adioyning : for they will be fo hungry to feede, and they fliall
haue fo fmall tyme to fatiffie their hunger, that they will be con-
ftrayned to abyde. But bicaufe commonly Lordes and No-
blemen do not ryfe fo earely as to fee thefe paftymes and polli-
cies, therefore I thinke meete that when he hath beaten downe
the fleflie as beforefayde, he caufe fome good fellowes to go and
to make fires betwcene them and the lafte couerts that the
Wolues fledde vnto : and lette the fires be not paflyng a bow-
fliotte or not fo much one from another : and at euery fire lette
fome one or two of the company ftand talking and laughing one
with another : when the Wolues fliall heare that, they fliall be
conflrreyned (by reafon that the day light is now come vpon them)
to abyde there in the couert harde by the carion. In mcane
whyle, the Lord or Gentleman fliall be come and may hunte
them at hys pleafure : and that fliall he order thus. Firile lette
him regard which way wil be the fayrcfl: courfe for Greyhounds,
and place them accordingly : and as neare as he can lette him
foreftall with his Greyhoundes the fame way y* the Wolues did

flie

214 The hoohe of Hunting

flie the nightes before, if the grounde feme to courfe in, vnlefTe
the winde be contrarie, for then it were but follie to fet them
that waye : otherwayes the Wolfe will rather come that way
than any other way. If the winde ferue not that waye, then lette
him fet his Greyhoundes in the fay reft place to courfe in vppon
a good wynde : and lette hym fet his Greyhoundes in rankes
as neare one to another as the number of his Greyhoundes
will permitte: alwayes regardyng the wynde, and caufmg
them whiche holde the Greyhoundes to ftande clofe. That be-
yng fo appoynted, lette him fet hewers all rounde aboute the
Couert where the Wolues doo lye, to hewe and make noyfe on
euery fide but onely that where the Greyhoundes doo ftande.
If his owne feruauntes and companie be not fufificient, he may
do well to aflemble the neighbours whiche dwell neare by :
who will be gladde to helpe hym bycaufe the Wolues doo them
fuche greate harmes and domages. And lette all thofe people
ftande as thicke as they can all aboute the couert, but onely on
that fide where the Greyhoundes arc fet, talkyng and walkyng
one to another, and makyng all the noyfe that they can deuife
to force them vnto the Greyhoundes. Then lette the Huntef-
man go with his Lyamehounde and drawe from the carion
vnto the thickes fides where the Wolues haue gone in : and
there the Huntes fliall cafte off the thyrde parte of their befte
houndes, for a Wolfe will fometimes holde a couert long
tyme before he come out. The Huntefmen mufte holde neare
in to theyr houndes, blowyng harde and encouragyng them
with the voyce : for many houndes will ftreyne curtefie at this
chace, although they bee luftie and arrant at all other chaces.
When the Wolfe commeth to the Greyhoundes, they whiche
holde them fliall do well to fuffer the Wolfe to paffe by the firft
ranke, vntill he be come vnto the feconde ranke or furder : and
let the laft ranke let flippe their Greyhoundes full in the face of
the Wolfe : and at the fame inftant let al the other rankes let flippe
alfo. So that the firftc ranke ftaying him neuer fo little, he may
be aflaylcd on all fides at once : and by that meanes they fliall
the more cafily take hym. It is befte entryng of Houndes

at

The hoohe of Hunting 215-

at yong Wolues whiche are not yet paflyng halfe a yeare
or a yeare olde, for a hounde will hunte fuche more willingly
and with Icffe dread than they will hunte an olde Wolfe. And
likewife the yong Wolues can neyther make fo good defence,
nor yet vfe fuche policies and fubtilties as the olde Wolfe will :
or it fliall be good to take Wolues alyue in engines, and then
breake thcyr teeth and enter your houndes at them : when the
Wolfe is deade, you fliall make the rewarde thus. Firfte lette
the houndes and Greyhoundes, but efpecially the houndes runne
in and all to byte and mufle the dead Wolfe : then let the hunte
open his belly all alongft and take out all his bowels : then lette
him take a Sheepe or a Porkine and kill it, and ftrype of the
fkinne quickly and cut it all to gobbets putting it into the bo-
dy of the Wolfe, and theere lette the houndes and Greyhoundes
eate it out. For defaulte of a flicepe or fuche hotemeate, let him
take breade cheefe and fuche lyke fcrappes and broken morfelles
and put them into the Wolfe for the houndes rewarde as before
fayde. Note that bothe houndes and Greyhoundes will re-
quyre greater flefliyng and encouragement to a Wolfe than to
any other chace, and therefore all the cheare that you can vfe
vnto them, will be little enough : And if a Wolfe chaunce to
breake vppon the hewers, and fo efcape the courfe, yet bee not
thereat difcouraged but beate the fame couert on the next day.
For a Wolfe hath this propertie, that when he hath once fo efca-
ped, he bethinketh him thereof, and returneth thither on the next day
to fee what y® matter was which llyrrcd him fo, or to fee what is
become of his companions if he had any, or to fee if there be any
carrion. And agaync he is fo craftie that he thinketh furely men
will not hunte in the fayde place agayne fo quickely : but if he
iinde faulte and perceyue that any of his companions be killed,
then will he be gone from thence the nexte night and come no-
more there of a greate whylc : yea though you trayne him he
may chaunce to come vnto the trayne, but lurely he will not ta-
rie in any couert neare vnto that place. A man may knowe a
doggewolfc from a bitche by the trackcs of theyr fccte : for the

Q doggc

TU88. VEN.

2 1 6 The hoohe of Hunting

dogge hath a greater heeJe, a greater toe, greater nayles, and a
rounder foote : and the Bitche cafteth hyr Hants commonly in
the middeft of an high way, whereas the dogge cafteth them on
the one or other fide of the pathe. And now let thefe fewe things
fuffife for the hunting of the Wolfe,

Of the Hunting of the Beare, and firft

of hir nature and properties

Chap. 77

THere be Beares of two forts, that one much greater than that
other naturally : although they be of equall age, or how long
foeuer they Hue, but their properties and conditions are all one,
fauing that the greater be much ftronger, the which I accoumpt
no difference of nature. They are naturally very cruell and harme-
full vnto all tame beaftes, and are very ftrong in all partes of
their bodies but onely the head. A fmall blow on the head killeth
them : they go to make in December, fome fooner and fome later,
according to their reft and good feeding : their heate endureth
fifteene dayes and not pafte. When the Shebeare doth feele hir
yong within hir, then doth flie withdrawe hir felfe into fome
caue or rocke, and their abideth vntil flie bring forth hir whelps :
therefore you fliall feldome heare of a Beare taken when flie is
with whelpe. Somtimes a Beare, efpecially a Male, will keepe
clofe in his denne fortie dayes and nightes without eyther meate
or drinke, hauing none other nourilhment but onely fleepe and
fucking on his Toes : at fortie dayes ende they will come out,
and though it be a fayre day, yet will they enclofe themfelues
agayne lor fourtie dayes longer, alwayes doubting that the
winter will yet continue : and lightly as long as any harde wea-
ther lafteth, they will not come out of their dennes. They are
whelped moft commonly in Marche : the moft parte of them are
dead one whole day after they be whelped : but the Damme doth
fo lickc them, warme them, and cheriflie them, that fhe reuiueth
them at laft. Their heare at firft is more whitifli than like black :

they

The hooke of Hunting 217

they giue them fucke a moneth and not much more, and that is
bicaufe their whelpes are curft and haue cruell pawes and lliarpe
nayles, and byte fhrewdely : if they finde not their fill of milke
in the Dammes teates, or that flie remoue when they fucke, then
they will byte the teate, and teare their Damme with their pawes,
whereupon many of them kill their whelpes, and byte them fore
fomtimes. At leaft aflbone as the Damme perceiueth that they
beginne to waxe ftrong, fliee giueth them fucke no longer, but
goeth abrode, and prayeth or fedeth vpon any thing that flie can
finde, and then caftes it vp agayne before hir whelpes, by that
meanes flie feedeth them vntill they can praye for themfelues.
When they ingender, they lye face to face. They feede vppon
Hearbes, Frutes, Honie, Fiefhc, Milke, Mafte, Beanes, Peafe,
and of all manner of carion and vermine. They will clyme a
tree for y® frute : and fomtimes in the winter or hard weather,
when all thefe things faile them, they kill Kyne and other cat-
tell to fetdo. on : and yet fewe of them do fo, vnlefTe it be (heepe,
Gotes, or fuche little beaftes. If they be in good plyghte (and
efpecially the greater fort) they continew in their ftrength and
force tenne or twelue yeares. They liue fometimes .xx. yeares,
but they doe oftentymes become blinde, and then they cannot
pray. They go very far for their prayes, confidering the great-
nefle and weight of their bodies, and that is bycaufe they would
not be founde : but yet looke where they praye, they remaine and
continue harde by their praye. If they be hunted, they followe
a man, and yet neuer runne vpon him vnlefTe they be hurt : but
if they be hurte, then they runne vppon any thing that ftandes
before them. They are maruelous ftrong in their pawes, wher-
with they coll in a Man or a Dogge, in fuche forte, that many
times they kill and fmoother them, or breake their bulckes with
the force. Their nayles haue great force, but not fuch as would
kill a beaft : but with their whole pawe they pull a dogge vnto
their mouth, and then they teare him marueloufly, for they byte
fore, infomuch that if they get holde of a mans hcade, they will
byte him into y® brames : and as for an arme or a leg, they would

Q^i cruflic

2 1 8 The boohe of Hunting

crufhe it in peeces like glaffe. If you ftrike at them w* a fword,
they wil breake and beare ofF a great blow with their pawes : they
are fo heauie, that when they be hunted they can make no fpeede,
but are alwayes within fight of the Dogges : they ftand not at
a Baye like to the Bore, but flee ftyil wallowing as they can
vntill helpe of men come in : and then if the houndes fticke in
and fight with them, they fight very valiantly in their own de-
fence. Sometimes they ftand vpon their hinder feete as vpright
as a man : but that is a token of dread and cowardlynefle, but
being vpon all foure they fight bothe the more ftrongly and the
more ftoutely : for then they declare that they will be reuenged,
and flee no longer : they haue very perfedt fent, and fmel furder off
than any other beaft, vnlefle it be the Bore. For in a whole For-
reft they will fmel out a tree loden with maft : when they be o-
uerweried, they flee to fome brooke or water, and ther they be ouer-
throwen : they may be hunted with Maftyfes, Greyhoundes, or
houndes, and they are killed and chaced w'bowe,borefpeare,dartes,
and fwords : fo are theyalfo taken in fnares,caues and pits, and in
other engines. If twomenonfoote hauingborefpeares or Iauelins,or
fhort pitchforkes, would fticke wel one to an others defence and
reuenge, they may kil a great beare : for y« Beare is of this nature,
that at euery blowe Ihe will be reuenged on whatfoeuer come
next to hands. So that when y^ one hath ftriken the Beare, flie
will runne vpon him : and then if the other ftrike quickly, Ihe will
returne to him againe. So that the one may alwaies help and
fuccour the other : they do naturally abide in the great Moun-
taines, but when it fnoweth or is very hard weather, then they
defccndtofeekefoode iny« vallcies and Forefts,theycaft their lefTes
fomtimes in round Croteys, and fomtimes flat like a Bullocke,
according to the feede that they finde : they are able to engender
when they be but one yeare old, and then they departe from their
dammes, they go fomtimes a galloppe, and fomtimes an amble :
but when they wallow then they go at mofte eafe. When they
are chafed they flee into the couerts and Forreftes, their feafon
begynncth in Maye, and endureth vntyll fuche tyme as they
go to ingender agayne : but at all feafons they bee very fatte

both

The hoohe of Hunting 2ip

both within and without. And by that meanes their feafon la-
fteth longer than any other beafts. When a Beare is hurt fore,
and efcapeth the huntfmen, flie will open and ftretch hir wound,
yea, fometimes flie will drawe out hir owne guts and bowels
to fearch them whether they be pierced or not : and by that mea-
nes many of them dye, when they might well efcape. When
they come from their feeding, they beate commonly the highways
and beaten pathes : and where fo euer they goe out of the hyghe
way, there you may be fure they are gone to their denne, for they
vfe no doublings nor fubtleties. They tumble and wallowe in
water and myre like vnto fwyne, and they fttdc like a dogge.
Their flefh is delicate to fome mens tooth : but in mine opinion,
it is rammiflie and vnfauerie, at leaftwife it can not be holfome.
Their greace is good for the gowt and flirinking of the fmews,
and the better, if it be mingled with other oyntments. Their
feete are the beft morfell of them, for they be delicate meate.
Their fkynne is a furre, but very courfe : meeter to laye vpon a
bed, than to weare otherwife. I haue termed their fatte greace, and
fo is it to be called of all beaftes which praye : and of all Deare
and other fallow beafts, it is to be called Sewet. As alfo their feede
is called feeding, and a Deares is called feede, as I haue before
declared.

The manner of hunting the Beare
Chap. 78

THe beft finding of the Beare is with a lyamhounde, and
yet he which hath no lyamhounde, maye trayle after the
Beare, as they doe after a Rowe, or a Bucke: but you may
drawe after the Beare in the vineyards, in the hollow maftie
woods, and fuch like places, according to the feafon : and fo you
may lodge them, and runne and huntc them, as you do a Bore.
For the more fpcedy execution, you fliall do well to mingle ma-
ftifcs amongft your houndes : for they will pinch the Beare, and
make hir angric, vntill at laft they bring them to the bay, or elfe
they driue them cleanc out of the playne, into the coucrt, and ne-
uer let them be in quiet, vntill they come to fight for defence : and

by

220 •• The hooke of Hunting

by that meanes they are the fooner kylled. For though the Beares
byte a dogge fore, yet they kyll them not fo foone as a Bore
doth. The rewarde may be made after the death of the Beare,
as it is made at the death of a Wolfe.

Thus haue I nowe (what out of myne Authour, and what
by myne owne experience and coniedture) fet downe the natures
and hunting of as many chafes as I thinke chafeable : yea, and
thefe two laft rehearfed, viz. the Wolfe and the Beare, to-
gether with the Rayndeare alfo, I haue not thought good
to leaue out, although they be not in^vfe heere with vs
in Englande : fmce they feeme by the defcrip-
tion, to be noble chafes, and much efteem-
ed in other countreys. Nowe let me
fct downe the Cures and Medi-
cines for dogs, when they
fhall eyther be hurt, or
fall into any fur-
feite, ficknefle,
or infyrm-
ities.

Receipts

The hoohe of Hunting 221

Receipts, to heale fundrie difeafes and

infirmities in houndes and

dogges. Chap. 79

HOunds, and generally all kynd of dogs, are fubied: to many
difeafes and infirmities. But aboue all other difeafes, they are
molt cumbred with madneffc, whcrof there are feuen fundry forts.
The firft kynd is called y" burning hote madneffe, or the defperat
madncffe. And this kinde of madnes can not be healed, but is fo
harmfull and contrarie vnto a dogs nature, that immediately after
y« venome therof hath once crept into y« bloud of a dog, it burnes

and

2 11 The hooke of Hunting

andinfedes him fodainely. And as fone as the brayne feelethit
felfe vexed with the fume thereof, the dog tormenteth him felfe
continually, and becommeth defperate, as hath often bene feene
by experience, the dogges which haue this madnefle, are knowne
fundry wayes. Firfte when they runne, they rayfe their tayles
right vp, the which other dogges doe not, that be ficke of other
kyndes of madnefle. Agayne, they runne vpon any thing that
ftandeth before them : as well beaftes, as other thinges, and haue
no refped:, where nor which way they run, whether it be through
Ryuers, pondes, or waters. Alio their mouth will be very black,
and will haue no fome nor froth in it. They endure not in this
kynde of madnefle, aboue three or foure dayes at the moft, by
reafon of the vntollerable payne and trauell thereof. When they
maye no longer endure, they howle a kynde of howling in the
throate, and hoarcely, but not like the howling of a dogge that
were founde. All beaftes which they Ihall byte, as well dogges
as other, if they drawe bloude on them, will doubtlefle runne
madde alfo.

The fecond kinde of madnefle, is called running madnefle,
and is likewife vncureable. But the byting thereof is not fo ve-
nemous, nor fo dangerous for other beaftes, as the firft is, for it
vexeth not continually without intermifl!ion. And when a dog
is madde of this kynde of madnefle, the firft dogge which he by-
teth in the forenoone, dothe beare with him all his venome, and will
be in great daunger to runne madde: but as many as he byteth
afterwardes, may efcape from running madde thereof. When
dogges haue this madnefle, they runne not vpon beaftes, nor
vpon men, but onely vppon dogges, and harken as they goe to
heare the barking of other dogges, to the ende they may go fliake
them and byte them. They runne in the high wayes, and caft
their tayles betwene their leggcs, trotting like a Foxe, and may
continue thus nyne monethes, but not paft. Thefe two kyndes
of madnefle are more daungerous than all the reft, and when a
dogge will become madde, of any of thefe two fortes of mad-
nefle, you may knowe by thefe tokens.

Firft they eate verie little, they will fmell vpon other dogs,

and

The hoohe of Hunting 223

and when they haue fmelt on them, will fliake and byte them,
yet wagging their tayles, and feeming to cherifli them. They
figh fore, and fnuffe with their nofes, and looke fydewayes or ouer-
thwarts. They are fad and heauie, yet running after butterflyes
and other flyes. There are many other apparant tokens which I
leaue for breuities fake. When you perceiue them by fuch tokens,
fliift them out of the company of other dogs, and fliut them vp,
for their breath is infediiue, and may make other dogges madde:
for fuch difeafes are taken amongft dogs, as the pellilence is a-
mongft men. The other fiue forts of madnefle, are nothing like
fo dangerous : for dogs which are ficke of them, do neither runne
nor byte. So that 1 efteeme them rather ficknefTes, than mad-
nefTes, although fundrye huntfmen haue hold opinion, that al the
feuen fortes of madnefle were vncurable. But I my felfe haue
healed fundry dogs, which haue bin ficke of thefe other fiue kinds
of madnefle hereafter mentioned, with the Receiptes which I
meane (God willing) to fet down here in wryting. And the faid
fiue fundry forts of madnefle are thus named.

The firli is called the dumme madnelTe, the which lieth within the
bloud, and is to be known by this note or figne : The dogges which
are mad therof, wil not feed, but hold their mouth wide open,
putting their feet into their mouth, as if they had fome bone in their
throat, and hide themfelues commonly in moifl: and freflieft places.

The feconde is called the falling madnefle, for the dogs which
haue it, fal as they go, as if they had the falling euill, or the Saint
Johns fycknefle. And the difeafe lyeth in their heades.

The thirde kynde of madnefle, is called the Lanke madnefle.
For the difeafe is within their bodies, and maketh them f kummer
fo much, that they become fo lanke, leane, and thynne, that a man
may thruft them through with his finger.

The fourth is called the flecping madnefle. The which com-
meth with a kinde of little wormes, that lye in the mouth of a
dogges ftomacke, being there engendered through corruption
of humours, the vapors and fumes whereof, doe mount vp into
the braynes of a dog, and make him fleepc vnceflantly, fo that
commonly they die deeping.

The

224 T^^ booke of Hunting

The fifth and laft kynde of madnefTe, is called the Rewma-
tike or flauering madnefTe. For when a dogge hath it, his heade
fwelleth, and his eyes become yellowe as a Kyghts foote, and he
driueleth and flauereth at the mouth commonly.

When a dogge hath any of thefe kyndes of madnefTe, he will
haue no lull: to eate, but lyueth eight or nyne dayes in this forte,
doing no hurte to any thing, and in the ende dyeth for hunger :
wherewithall you muft vnderftande, that dogs are of this pro-
pertie generally : Whenfoeuer they feele any difeafe within their
bodies (without any occafion of hurtes, or fuch accidentes) they
wil neuer feede lightly, vntill they be healed therof. For proofe,
when a dogge is ficke, he will not eate the deyntyeft morfell that
you can proiFer him, vntill he haue eaten gralTe, and call: vp all
that was within him, and then he will eate. Some are of opini-
on, y* the worme vnder a dogs tong, is the caufe of madnelTe : but
1 thinke not fo. Although it maye be, that fuche as haue beene
wormed, doe not fo commonly fall madde : yet fometimes they
do, as may dayly be feene.

Thefe difeafes are taken amongft dogs, by breathing and com-
panying one with another. And therfore it fhal be beft to fhut vp
fuch as haue them, from al the reft of your hounds, as is before fayd.

The receipt to heale the dumme madnefle

TAke the weight of foure Frenche crownes, of the iuyce of an
herbe called Spathula putrida^ which hath a leafe muche like
vnto the herbe called Ireos^ or Flower de luce (but it is a litle blac-
ker) and put this iuyce into a litle pewter pot. Then take afmuch
of the iuyce of an herb, called Hellehorus niger^ in Englifli Bear-
wort, and as much of the iuyce of Rcwe. And if it be in fuch feafon
that thefe herbes haue no iuyce in them, you muft make a decoc-
tion of them. And when you haue all thefe iuyces together, take
as much white wine as there was iuyce of Rewe. Then ftreine
them all through a fayre lynncn cloth, and fct them in a glafle.
Then take Scamovy two drammes, and let the Scamony be vn-
preparate, the which you fliall mingle amongft all thefe iuyces.
Then take the dog, and put a table napkin rowled in his mouth for

byting,

The hoohe of Hunting 2.2.S

byting, and put downe this medicine into his throate, with fome
home or tunnell, holding vp his heade alofte, leaft he call it vp a-
gaine. When you haue giuen him this receipt, you fhall let him
bleed with a knife in the mouth, as you pricke a horfe, in y® gums
ofthe vpperiaw, and theroofe of his mouth, and cut him two orthree
vaines in his gums, that he may bleede the better. Then kennell
him with fayre frefli ftraw, and he will amend. Note here that
the herbe commonly called Harts home, or Dogs tooth, is excel-
lent good to cure any kynde of madnefTe, being dronke eight
drammes of the iuyce thereof, with a little fait.

A receipt for the falling or reeling madnefle,
which proceedeth from the braine

TAke the weight of foure french crownes, ofthe iuyce or feede
of an herbe called Vyonye^ (that forte of Vyonye which beareth
feede), and the weight of foure Frenche crownes, ofthe iuyce of an
herbes roote called Bryonies or l^ttis alba^ which groweth in the
hedges, and hath a roote as byg as a mans legge. Then take as
much of y^ iuyce of an herbe called Cruciata^ otherwife Tut fome ^
and foure drams of Stauefaker, well brayed and beaten to pou-
der. Mingle them all well together, and giue it your hounde or
dogge, as afore fayde. Then flyt his eares to make him bleede,
or elfe let him bloude on the two vaines which come downe his
flioulders, (which in an horfe are called the Arches, or the Arch-
vaines) and if it help him not at the firft, giue it him once again,
or twice if neede require.

A receipt for the fleeping madnefle, pro-
ceeding of wormes

TAke the weight of fix crownes, of y° iuyce ofthe Wormwood
called Abfynthium Sautonicum^ or French Wormwoodc, and
the weight of two crowns of the pouder of Harts home burned,
and two drammes of Agarick. Mingle them all together, and
if they be too thicke or too dry, then put white wine vnto them, the
weight of foure or fixe crownes, and giue it your dog to drinke
downe as before fayde.

A

2.25 The hooke of Hunting

A receipt for the Rewmatique or flauering mad-
nefle, comming like the laundyfe

TAke the weight of fixecrownes, of the iuyce or decodionof
the rootes of Fenell, the weight of fiue frenche crownes of
the iuyce or decoc5tion of an herbe, called (by the Frenchmen) Guy^
whiche groweth in the white thornes (I take it to be that which
we call Myjfeld'me^ or Mijfeltoe) the weight of foure crownes, of
the iuyce or decodtion of ground luy, the weight of .iiii. crounes
of the pouder or dregs of the roote of Felypody^ which groweth on
an Oke or Cheftnut tree : put them al together in a pottenger or
f killet, and let them boyle together in white wine. And when it
is cooled a little, put it downe your dogs throate as before fayde,
euen as hote as he may fuffer it.

A receipt, for the lanke madnefle

AS touching the Lanke madnefTe, which keepeth within the
jTXbowels, and diuers other difeafes, as Gouts, Coldes, Stop-
pings, and all other proceeding of colde caufes, they are to be
healed with Bathes and Stoones, as enfueth.

Take two great kettles, that wil hold each of them fixe pailes
full, wherein you flial put (in each of them) ten handfuls of thefe
herbs hereafter named. That is to fay : of an herbe called Arte-
mifla or Mugwoort, of Rofemarie, of red Sage, of the rootes or
leaues of an herbe called Guymauue^ or French Mallowe (or in
Engliflie, Marfli Mallowes,) of the rootes or leaues of Wal-
woort or Danewoort, of the rootes or ftalkes of Fenell, of the lea-
ues or ftalkes of Bawme, of Rewe, of Enula campana^ (thereof
both rootes and leaues) of Sorel, of BuglofTe, and of Mellilot, and
put them al into the faide kettles. Then fill them with wine and
water, two parts water, and the third wine, and let them boyle
together, vntil the third part or quantitie be confumed. And when
they be fo fodden, take the kettles and poure out all thefe herbes
into a Tunne or pype, wherein you flial put foure payles full of
good and ftrong lyes of wine. Thentake the kettles, and hang them
on the fire againe, filling them two parts with water, and the third
with wine, as before fayd. Then take a newe facke, and go feeke

out

The booke of Hunting 227

out fome Molehill, or anthil, and take the greateft red Ants with
their egges and all, and let them boyle in the faide kettles, with
three or foure pyntes or great handfuls of fait, vntill they be con-
fumed. And when it is boyled vnto the third part, and that the wa-
ter is very thicke, poure them out into the Tun or Pype vnto the
reft, and fo let them ftand altogethers, vntill they be little better
than luke warme. Then put your ficke dogge into it, and bathe
him therein a long houre before you let him come out, hauing
good regard how you hold him, for fear of drowning, or fmothe-
ring him in y« tun. Afterwards, put him in fome warme place or
couch, where he may take no ay re, for feare of foundring or mar-
ring. This order of bathing you maye vfe with the fame water,
foure or fiue dayes together, warming it alwayes againe : and it
will ferue for many dogs, one after another. But before you do
thus bathe your dogs that are ficke, purge them in this order.
. Take an ounce and a halfe of Cajfta fifiularis wel clenfed, two
drams and a half of Stauefaker in pouder, two drams and a halfe of
Scamony preparat in white vineger, and foure ounces of oile O-
lyfe, temper them all together, and warme them a little ouer the
fire, and giue it your dogtowardes night, and let him eate no meate
afte'r it. The next day put him into the bathe fafting.

A Bath to bathe dogs, when they haue bene

bitten with others, to preuent that

they runne not madde

IF your dog be bytten or fliaken with a mad dog, immediatly
fill a barren or tun with water, and take a bulliell, or a bufliell
and a halfe of Salte, and caft it therein : Mingle and ftyrre the
Salte well about with a ftafFe to make it melt. And then take
your dog and plunge him therein ouer head and eares, eight or
nyne times. When he is well waflied fo, then let him goe, and it
will helpe and preuent the difeafe.

A channe of wordes, to preferue dogs
from madnefle

A Gentleman of Brittainc taught the Author (for the Tran-
Qatour wil Icarnc no fuche dcuifcs) to make two little rolles

where-

228 The booke of Hunting

wherein were written but two lynes, and thofe he put in an eg-
fhell, and fo put them downe a dogges throate, whiche was bit-
ten with a madde dogge. And the wryting contayned but this :
T Ran ^lui Ran^ cafram cafratrem cafratrofque. This he fayde
wouJd preferue a dogge from being madde : beleeue it he that lift,
for I do not.

Of the Maunge, Tettarres, Ringwormes,
and fcabbes in a dogge

THere are foure kindes of Mange, viz, the red Mange, which
maketh a dogges legges to fwell. The fkaly Mange, which
groweth in patches, as broad as the palme of a mans hande, and
taketh off the fkinne where it goeth. The common Mange, and
the blacke Mange, which lyeth vnder the fkinne, and maketh the
haire to flied. Of thefe manges the red Mange is the worft, and
moft dangerous to heale. For it engendreth and breedeth after a
found ring or ouerheating of a dog, which he taketh in the win+
ter, pafling ouer brooks or pooles, when he is hote and chafed. Or
with lying in colde and moyft places, before he be well dryed or
rubbed. Or it may come by being brought vp in the ftiambles,
or butcheries, with the bloud of Oxen or fuche like, which ouer-
heateththe bloud in a dog. And thofe kindes of Mange are thus
to be healed. Firft purge your dogge with the receipt which I
haue before prefcribed to be miniftred before bathing, and on the
morrow let him bloud two ounces or more, vpon a vaine which
is betwene the hough ftring, and the bone of his leg And within
two dayes next following, you fliall annoynt him with this
oyntment which followeth.

Take three pound weight of the oyle of Nuttes (I thinke he
meaneth Walnuts) a pounde and halfe of the oyle of Cade^ two
pound of the oyle of Wormes, three pound of Honny, and a pound
and a half of Vyneger, boyle them al together, vntill they be halfe
wafted. Then put to it Rofcn and Pytch, or Tar, of each two
pounds and a half, and half a pound of new waxe vnwrought, melt
them altogether, and flir them with a recde or a palme wand. When
they are well melted and mingled, put therein (from off the fire) a

pound

The hooke of Hunting 2ip

pound and a half of Brymftone, two pound of Copporas well tri-
ed, xii. ounces of Verdegreace, andftyr them into it vntil it becold.
This oyntment will kill and heale ail maner of manges and itches,
how ftrong or vehement foeuer they be. And before you anoynt
your dogs therewith, wafli them and rub them all ouer with wa-
ter and ialt to clenfe their iTcins. Afterwardes leade them to a good
fire, and tyethem there faftjvntilthey may fweateagoodhoureanda
half, giuing them water to drinke and lap their belly full. When
they are thus drelTed and warmed, feede them with good brothes made
with Mutton, boyled with a litle brimftone to warme them w*in,
and with good holfome hearbes, continuing that dyet eight dayes.

Another medicine for the Tettar

THe Tettar commeth vnto many dogs naturally, or by kind,
or by age, and it may be thus healed :

Take away the haire in the places where the Tettarres are, and
then rub the dog with lye, fait, and vineger, vntil the ringwor-
mes do bleed. And afterwards anoynt them with this oyntment.

Take a pound of an oyntment called Vnguentum enulatum^
half a pound of another ointment called FamphUlgos^ two pounds
of the oyle of Nuts, Tar a pounde, a pound of the oyle of Cade^
half a pound of Brimftone, half a pound of Soote, half a pound
of VytrioU or Copperofle, foure ounces of the lytarge of Golde,
foure ounces of white leade, foure ounces of Verdigreace, and fixe
ounces of Roch Alume. Beate them all to pouder, and boyle and
incorporate them together, with half a pound of vineger. This
oyntment is moft excellent for the Tettar, vfmg it as before fayd.

For the common Mange

THe common Mange commeth oftentimes by reafon that the
dogs lacke frefh water to drinke, when they defire it. Orelfe
by rouk and filthy lodging and kennelling. Asin fwinelHes, orvpon
the ftraw wherevpon other mangie dogs haueline. And it may
alfo come by foundring and melting of their greace. This mange
may be caiily healed, without the drugs and drams before re-
hearfed, but only with decodlion of thefe herbes following.

Take

2^0 The hooke of Hunting

Take two handfull of wild Creflyes, otherwife called Berne^
two handfull of Enula campana^ of the leaues or rootes of wylde
Sorrell, and the roote of Roeri> as much, and the weight of two
pounds of rootes of Frodyls^ make them al boyle wel in lye and vi-
neger. When they are all well boyled, you muft ftreine the de-
co6tion,andtake the iuice therof, minglingit w* twopounds of grey
Sope, and when the Sope is well melted and mingled in it, then
rub your dogs with it foure or fiue days together, and it wil healc
them. This receipt and al y^ reft 1 haue proued and found medicinable.

A Receipt to heale the difeafe called the Wolfe,
which is a kernell or round bunch of flefh,
which groweth and increafeth, vn-
till it kill the dogge

THis difeafe or botch hapneth often vnto dogs. And to heale it
you muft haue good regard in what place it is. For if it be in
any part of the bodie, where many vaynes be, or Arteryes, then
will it be verie harde to take it awaye. But this is the meane to
take a Wolfe away in places where you maye conuenyently.
There are two maners of curing of it. The one is by Incifion,
and that other by Receipt. He that wil make incyfion, muft firfl
looke howe many vaynes and arteries doe come from any parte
of the bodye, vnto the place where the Wolfe is. Then muft he
haue a fliarpe fourfquare needle, that muft be a little bended or
crooked. That being threeded with a good ftrong threed, let him
thruft his needle vnderneath the vayne, and drawe it through,
and fo let him with both ends of the threed, tye the vayne as hard
and clofc as he can, and cut off'the ends. Thus flial he do with al
the vaincs which haue recourfe into the difeafe, forbleeding and for
marring his incifion. Then let him take a razor, and cut rounde
about the botch (within the knots that are tyed about the vaines)
and fo take away and cut out the botch or lumpe. Then fliall he
immediately take a hote Iron, and fcare the little endes and pypes
of the vaynes and arteries. Afterwardes he fliall firft apply vn-
to it a playfter made of Sanguis draconis^ yolkcs of egs, pouder of

burnt

The hooke of Hunting 231

burnt lynnen, and good vyneger, brufed and tempred together.
And he mulle mufTell vp his dogge, for feare leall he byte the
threads, which tye the ends of the vaines and arteries, and drefle
him euery day, with Larde melted in warme water, and min-
gled and brayed together with Vomptligos. Aboue al things take
heede, that the vaynes bleede not at any time, till the dogge be
hole. I take this Wolfe to be that which we call a Wenne.

Another approued receipt for the fame

TAke three great blacke thorns, when they be grene and frefli
gathered, lay them .xxiiii. houres in iteepe in a womans
termes: being wet and moyled therwith, pricke them into y^ wolfe
or Wen, as far as they will go. And if the Wolfe or Wen be To hard
that they will not enter, then make holes before with fome bodkin
or great pinne, and thruft the thornes faft in : and neuer take them
out, vntill they fall out of themfelues. This done, the Wolf wil
die, and fall away by little and little. Remember that the dog
be faft mufled, for plucking out the thornes.

A receipt to kil Fleas, Lice, Tykes, and other ver-
min on dogs, and to keepe them cleane

TAke two handfiill of the leaues of Berne or wilde Crcflyes,
as much of wilde Sorrell, as much of Mynts, and boyle them
in lye made with vine leaues, and put amongft them, two oun-
ces of Stauefaker. When it is well boyled, ftreyne them cleane,
and take the decodtion, and mingle therein two ounces of Sope,
and one ounce of Saffron, with a handfuU of Salte. Mingle all
this together, and waflie your dogs therewith.

A receipt to kill wormes and cankers in a dogges
eares, or vpon any part of his bodie

TAke the hufkes of Wahiuts, and brufe them well, then put
them in a pot with a quart of Vyneger, and let them itande
fo two houres. That being done, let them boyle two or three
TURB. VEM. R whaimcs

2-32 The hoohe of Hunting

whalmes vpon the fire. Then ftrein them in a faire lynnen cloth,
and put vnto the decodrion thefe pouders, one ounce of Aloe cupa-
ticque^ called with vs Aloes cabeU'ma^ one ounce of a Hartes
home burned, an ounce of Rofyne. Bruze all thefe into pouder,
and put them vnto the decodion infome pot. Whentheyhaue ftoode
fo together an houre or two, droppe a little of it vpon the place
where the worms and cankers are, and it will kill them immediatly.

Another for the fame

TAke an Oxe gall, Rofme in pouder, ^/<7er in pouder, vn-
fleakt Lyme in pouder, and Brimftone in pouder, mingle them
altogether with the Oxe gall, and it will kyll the wormes, and make
them fall away. Some haue vfed in times paft, to put a dogges
haires odde into an Afli or Ceruifetree, but y* is but a mockene.

A receipt for dogges that are bytten
with Vypers or Serpents

TAke a handfull of Tutfome, a handfull of Rewe, a handfull
of the leaues of a tree called Cajiis or Spaniflie Pepper, a
handful of the herb called BoyUon or Bloude, a handfull of Ju-
niper, a handfull of Mynts, and brufe and ftampe them al together,
vntil they be wel beaten and ftamped. Then put a glafle full of
white wine to them, and let them boyle therein, a whalme or a
wallop in a pewter pot. Then take y® decodlion with the weight
of a crown of TryacJe, and giue your dog a glafleful of it warm,
and wafli the bitten place therewith, tying a leafe oi BoyUon with
a pyll of a Juniper branch vpon it, and it will heale.

A receipt to heale dogges bitten or ftricken
with a Bore, Beare, Wolfe, or fuch like

According to the place where a dog is hurte, you muffc apply
XjLand dired: your medicines and playfters. If he be hurt in the
btilye, fo that his guts fall out, and yet the guts not broken nor

pearced

The hooke of Hunting 2-33

pearced, let the varlets of the kennell take the dogge quickly, and
put vp his guts foftlyinto his bellie with the ends of his fingers,
in fuch fort as a gelder doth when he fpayeth a bytch. Then let
him cut a flyce or thin piece of Lard, and put it within the belly,
right againft the hole that is made. And he mull haue a lyngell
in readinefle to fow vp the f kin, and at euery ftitch that he taketh,
let him knit his threed or lyngell. For elfe as fone as the threed
fhould rot or breake in one place, all the reft would flippe, and fo
the wounde would open againe, before it be throughly healed.
And in all places that a dog is hurt, if it be needfull to ftitch him
vp, put alwayes a piece of Larde in the wounde or againfte it,
and alwayes annoynt the wound with frefli butter, for that wil
make a dog be alwayes lycking of it. And his owne tong is a
good Chyrurgion where he may reach the wound. The needle
wherewith a dog fliould be fowed, flioulde be fourfquare at the
poynt. And the varlet of the kennell fliould neuer go on field to
hunt eyther Bore, Beare, or Wolfe, without fuch a needle, lyn-
gell es, and Lard, in a readinefle.

A receipt to heale dogs which be brufed, or
haue any thing broken within them

IT hapneth oftentimes, that a Bore brufeth a dogge with the
force of his heade, and yet draweth no bloude on him, eyther
vpon the fides of the dogges bulke, or vpon his thighes, or luche
finewye places. TTien if any thing be broken or put out of ioynt,
it muft firft be put vp again. But if it be no more but brufed, then
make a playfter of the roote of the herbe called Symphiton (with
vs in Engliflie Comfrey) the playfter of Mellylot, Pytche or
Tarre, and oyle of Rofes, as muche of the one as of the other.
The whiche you fliall mingle altogether, and make thereof a
great playfter vpon a cloth, and cut it as bygge as maye ferue to
couer the brufed place, and layc it thercvnto as hote as the dogge
may fufFer it, and it will heale him.

R z A re-

234 '^^''^ boohe of Hunting

A receipt to kill wormes within a dogge,
and to make him voyde them

TAke the iuyce of Woormewoode two drammes, as muche of
AUoes CabeU'tna^ as much of Stauefaker, and a dramme of a
Harts home burnt, with a dram of Brymfbone : Brufe and beate
altogether, and incorporate them with the Oile of Walnuts, and
make (as it were) halfe a glalTe full of it. And put it down your
dogs throate, and it will heale him.

A playfter to heale a dogge, when he is
furbayted on his feete

TAke twelue yolkes of egges, and beate them with foure oun-
ces of the iuyce or decodtion of an herb, that groweth vpon the
rockes, and is called Tylo ZelJe (in Englifli, Moufeare) or with the
iuyce of Pomegranats, boyled with vyneger. And for default of
the herbes before named, take vyneger only, and when the yolks
of the egges are well beaten therin, then put Sut thervnto fmall
brayed to pouder, and mingle them all togither, rubbing the foa-
les of your dogs feete therewith, and bynding it vpon a lynnen
cloth vnto the dogges foote. Then giue the dog reft in his ken-
nell, a night and a day, or more, and it will heale him.

A receipt to kill the Canker in a dogs eares

TAke Sope, Oyle of Tartre^ Sal armoniacke^ Brymftone and
Verdigreace, of each the weight of a crowne, and incor-
porate them altogether with white vineger, and A^ua Forth^
and rubbe the Canker herewith nyne mornings.

A receipt to kepe Bytches from going proud

BEfore a Bytche haue had whelpes, giue hir euery morning
nyne daycs together, nyne grayncs of Pepper in hir meate,
and Ihc Ihall not become proude. Put them in to hir, in fome
chcefe, or brcadc, or hard mcate.

A re-

The hooke of Hunting ig^f

A receipt for dogges that cannot pifle

TAke a handfull of French Mallowes (or Marflimallowes)
afmuch of the leaues or feedes of Archangel], which groweth
commonly by vines, the rootes of Fenill, the rootes of blackeber-
ries or brambles, afmuch of the one as of the other, and let them
boyle togither with white wine vntill the thirde parte be wa-
fted : put this downe your dogges throate to drinke, and it will
make him pifTe.

A receypt for a forenefle within the
eares of a Dogge

TAke veriuyce, and put it in a ladell or a pottenger and warme
it : then put to it the water of the leafe and floure ofanhearbe
or little buflie called Fryuet or Frympry?it^ or of the water of the
floures of Woodbindes, and afmuch Honie as the end of a mans
finger, the which you fliall mingle with them : and put them all
together into the dogges eare, and moue his head one way and
another to make it fmke in : then let him holde downe his head
that it may droppe out agayne. Then take the oyle of Bayes
and warme it, and droppe it into his eare, stopping it vp with
fome cotton or woll dipped in the fame oyle : and continuyng
this fiue or lixe dayes it wil heale him : but beware that he f krat
not out the wool! or Cotton.

An approued medicine to kill all Tettars,
Cankers, and Ringwormes

TAke a drammc of Mercurye fuUhnate in powder, and beate
it well in a ftone Mortcr, with the iuyce and inwarde iub-
ftance of a Cythron without the barke : put it then in a little wa-
ter and Vincgre mingled togither : and take the weight of a
crowne of Alum, and afmuch Sope, the whiche you fliall braye
and mingle with the things before named, and let them boyle al
together in a little pot vntill the thirde parte be confumcd : then

lay

2 3 (J The hooke of Hunting

lay the decoilion thereof vpon the Tetters or Cankers. But if
the Canker be in a dogges piflell, or in the quicke flefhe, then
boyle your Sublimate^ and caft water firft vpon the place, that it
be not ouer fliarpe and corofiue for the dogge to abide : after-
wards do as beforefayde.

A receipt for to heale woundes on a dogge

THe iuyce of a redde Coleworte is a souerayne medecine for
woundes on a Dogge, for it will of it felf heale any wound
and confollidate the muf kels, bicaufe the flefli of a dogge is hote
and drie, and the Coleworte is naturally hote and moyfte. I
could haue prefcribed many other receypts and medecines, but I
truft that thefe (being principall and well approued) fliall fuffife.

Of the Termes of Venerie

I Haue thought meete to write a briefe note or abftrade of
fuch termes and proper woordes as I haue obferued in Venerie,
either by reading or by experience : afwell bycaufe mine Audthor
hath done the like, as alfo bicaufe 1 finde it very pertinent to
the purpofe. But bicaufe I find that his termes in the Frenche
arc in many places much different from ours (and yet many holde
opinion that we borowed all our termes of Hunting, Hawking,
and fuch like out of the Frenche) therfore I haue thought my
parte to fet downe fuch as I my felfe haue eyther herd pro-
nounced by olde Huntcfmen, or founde approued in olde
TryRrams booke. And if the Reader do finde that in any parte
of the difcourfes in this booke, I haue termed any of them
otherwife, then let him also confider that in handling of an Arte,
or in fetting downe rules and precepts of any thing, a man
mull: vie fuche woordes as may be moil eafie, peripicuous and in-
telligible. But here (as ncare as I can) I will fet them downe
in fuche termes as wee ought by lawc of Venerie to name them :
as followcth.

The

The hoohe of Hunting 237

The proper termes for the companies of
all beafts, when they are more than
one togither

TO beginne with the termes that are proper for the compa- Companiet
nies of beafts : you fliall vnderftand that Huntefmen vfe to "f b^*^'-
faye, ^n Heard of Harfs and Hindes^ Buckes and Does : and A
Triple of Gotes and Geates. A Beauie of Rowes. A Sounder of
Sivine. And a Rotute ofWolues. I haue not readde any thing of
the Raynedeare in this refpecft, and I could not heare any thyng
bycaufe in deede they are not in this Realme as farre as euer I
coulde learne. But in my iudgemcnt it flioulde alfo be called
An Heard of Raynedeare. Tryftram addeth, A Rtckejfe of Mar-
ternes^ and a Sloiuth of Beares. As for Hares^ if they be two togi-
thers, we fay, a brafe of Hares ^ and a Leafe when there are three :
as alfo a brafe of Harts or Hindes, Buckes or Does, is very pro-
perly fpoken : but more than two or three Hares, you flial feldom
fee togither at once. Twoo Conies are called a couple, and three
are called a couple and a halfe of Conies. If they be many feeding
out togethers, we fay it is a fayre game of Conies. As for Fox,
Badgerd and other fuche vermine, you fliall feldome fee more than
one of them at once, vnlefTe it be when they engendre : and then
their encreafe is called A lytter. This is afmuche as I thinke
requifite to fay of the termes for the companies of Beaftes : Sa-
uing that .xx. is the leaft number which maketh an Hearde of a-
ny Deare fauing the Rowe: but fixe Rowes make an hearde.
And of Swyne twelue is the leaft number, which may be called a
Sounder : as alfo the fame number ferueth for a route ofWolues.

The termes of the Ages of all beafts of Venerie
and Chace : and firft of the Harte

AN Hart is called the firfte yeare a Calfc, the fcconde a ^gt.
XX Brocket, the thirde a Spayde, the fourth a Staggcrd, the
hfth a Stagge, and (as Tryfframs booke tcachcth] the lixth yeare
he lliuld be called an Hart. But 1 am rather of opinion y' he

is

2,38 The hooke of Hunting

is not to be called a Harte vnlelTe he be hunted or killed by a
Prince. A Bucke is called the firft yeare a Fawne, the fecond a
Pricket, the third a Sorell, the fourth a Sore, the fifth a Bucke
of the first head, and the fixth a Bucke. Of the Raynedeare J
haue neyther heard nor redde any termes. The Gote hath no
difference (that euer I heard) after he pafTe the firfte yeare, and
then is called a Kidde. The Hare and the Conie, are called in
their firft yeare, Leuerets^ and Rahets^ and afterwards they haue
no difference, but to fay, A ^eat Hare, and an old Conie. Alfo
you fhal fay by any Deare, A great Deare, and not A fay re Deare^
vnleffe it be a Roive, The which is called the first yeare a Kldde^
the fecond a Gyrle^ the third an Hemufe^ the fourth a Roiubucke
of the firft heade, and the fifth yeare a fayre Rowehucke. A Bore is
the firft yeare a Pigge, the fecond an Hogge^ the third a Hoglfeare,
the fourth a Bore^ and the fifth yeare a Singuler^ or (as 1 would
thinke more properly fpoken) a Sanglier^ according to the French
worde. Foxes are called the firft yeare Cubbes, and afterwards
(Foxes) without any other difference than an olde Foxe^ or fuche
like. Alfo the Badgerd is the firft yeare a lohelpe or a Pigge (for
I haue herd Huntefmen vfe both thofe termes) and euer after a
Badgerd great or old, &c. As for Wolfe, Beare, and fuche like
we haue them not here. The Otter is called the firfte yeare
a vikelpe^ and euer afterwards an Otter, &:c.

The termes of a Deares head, and fuch
like beaftes of Venerie

Hti. ' I ^He rounde roll of pyrled home that is next to the head of

\_ an Harte is called the Burre^ the mayne home is called the
Beame^ the lowcft Antliere is called The Brow Antliere^ or Bea$
antlier^ the next Royally the nexte aboue that Surry aU^ and then the
Toppe. In a Bucke we fay, Burre^ Beame^ Branche^ Aduauncers^
Pawlme^ and Spelers. A Gotes homes are not termed by any dif-
ference, fauing that there are ccrtaine wreathes and wrinkles a-
bout them, whereby his age is knowen, as hath bene fayde be-
fore. The Borts teeth are to be called his Tullces or his gardes

and

The hoohe of Hunting 2,39

and that is all the proper woordes or termes that euer I heard
or redde thereof. Note that when you fpeake of a Harts homes,
you muft terme them the Head and not the Homes of a Harte.
And lykewife of a Bucke : but a Roiues hornes^ and a Gates
Homes are tollerable termes in Venerie.

The termes of the treading or footing of all
beaftes of chace and Venerie

THe footyng or printe of an Hartes foote is called the Slot. Footing.
Of a Bucke and all other Fallow Deare^ it is to be called the
Vievj. Of a Gore, the Breaking (and that is alfo a good terme for
an Hartes footing). Of a Bore^ the Tracke^ or the Treading. Of an
Hare diuerfly, for when a Hare is in playne fieldes, Ihe Soreth :
when file cafteth aboute to deceyue the houndes, then flie Dou-
bleth : and when flie beateth a harde highe waye, where you may
yet finde and perceyue hir footing, there Ihe Pricketh : alfo in time
of Snowe we fay the Trace of an Hare. Of a Foxe and al fuch
vermine I neuer heard any other woord but onely the Footing or
the foote .^ (3c. Of an Otter it is to be called the Markes^ or the
Marches. And we cal it the foyling of a Deare if it be on graffe
where the print of the foote cannot well be feene.

The termes proper for the ordure and na-
turall excrements of chaces

IT is a thing highly obferued and not here to be omitted, that Ordure &
the ordure ofeuery beafte of chace and Venerie hath his proper ^=^rements.
terme. The reafon is, bycaufe theyr ordure and excrements are
one principall marke whereby we know the place of their feede,
and their eftate. So that a Huntefman in talke or makyng of
his reportcs fliall be often conftreyned to rehearfe the fame. Of
an Harte therforc, and of all Deare the ordure is called Feivmets
or Feiomljhing : Of a Gotc, and of an Hare the Crotifing or Crot-
tels : Of a Bore the Lejfes : Of a Foxe, and all other vermine. The
Fyauvts : Of an Otter the Spraynts. And 1 haue neyther readde

nor

240 The hooke of Hunting

nor heard what it is termed of a Wolfe or a Beare : neyther is
it greatly materiall.

The termes of the time that thefe chaces
feeke eche other to engender

'^ittte. T T THen a Harte or Bucke feeketh to engender with Hynde

VV or Doe, we fay they go to the Rut : as alfo the Gote doth.
A Rowe Deare is fayde to go in his Toume, A Bore goeth to
the Brime : An Hare and Conie to the Bucke : a Foxe goeth on
clicketin^ : a Badgerd as the Bore : A Wolfe feeketh his Make
or Matche: And an Otter hunteth for his K'mJe.

The voyces and noyfes that euery of them
maketh at fuch times

Voyce or AN Hartc belloweth : a Bucke groyneth : a Rowe belleth : a

Sownde. jC3_Gote ratteleth : a Bore freameth : a Hare and aconiebeatethor

tappeth : a Fox barketh : a Badgerd fliriketh : an Otter whineth :

and a Wolfe howleth, when they feeke or hunte after their makes.

The feafons of all Chaces

Seafon. ' I ''He Harte and Bucke (with the Gote) is in feafon from Midfo-
J_ mer vntill Holyroode day : The Rowe is in feafon betwene
Eafter and Mighelmas. The Bore from Chriftmas till flirouetide :
The Hare from Mighelmas till Midfomer: The Fox and the
Wolfe from Holy roode day till the Annunciation: and the Otter
from Shrouetide vntill Midfomer, Conies are al wayes in fea-
fon, either yong or old : but their fkinnes are in bell: feafon from
Alhallontide vnto Shrouetide. The Hynde, Doe, Rowdoe^ Geate^
and Swine, beginneth when the Male of euery one of them ceafTeth,
and lafteth as long as they be fatte or in good plight.

The Fatte of euery one of thefe beafts

Faite. ' I ^He Fatte of all kinde of Deare is called Se-wet : and it may

I be alfo very wel fayd, T^is Deare ivas an high Deare of Greace^

or fo forth. But the Fatte (of it felfe) is called Sewet^ vt fupra.

The

The hooke of Hunting 241

The fatte of a Bore, Foxe, and Badgerd, is called properly
Greace, An Hare (by old Tryftrams opinion) beareth both Greace
and Ta/lowe, and the Rowe deares fat (onely of all Deare) is ter-
med Beauie greace.

The flaying, ftriping, and cafing of
all maner Chaces

THe Harte and all manner of Deare are flayne : and yet Ttf'"g,
Huntefmen vfe more commonly to fay, take off that Deares ■'¥^'"^'
fkinne. The Hare is ftryped, and (as Trykram fayeth) the Bore
alfo : the Foxe, Badgerd and all other vermine are cafed, that is
to fay, you mult beginne at the fnowte or nofe of the beaft, and
fo turne his fkinne ouer his eares all alongfb the bodie, vntill
you come at the tayle : and that hangeth out to fliew what bealt
it was, this is called cafing : and yet a Badgerds fkinne is to
be ftretched with foure ftickes on crofFe, to make it drye the bet-
ter, bycaufe it is great and fatte.

Termes vfed when you bring any Chace to
his refting place, or rayfe him from it

WE Herbor and Vnherbor a Harte, and he lieth in his layre : R^ing
we lodge and rowfe a Bucke, and he lieth alfo in his layre : ^^'^'''
we feeke and finde the Rowe and he beddeth : we forme and
ftarte a Hare : we burrowe and bolt a Conie, and both the Hare
and Conie do fit and fquat. We couch and rcare a Bore : we ken-
nell and vnkenell a Fox : we earth and digge a Badgerd : we
tree and baye both Martcrn and wild catte : we watch and vent
an Otter. And we trayne and rayfe the Wolfe, when we bring
them to their reftyng place and put them from the fame to be
hunted. Of the Rayncdcarc, Gote, or Beare, I haue neither read
nor herd the termes in this refpcct.

The fimdrie noyfes of hound es, and the
termes proper for the fame

AS you hcarc hounds make fundry different noyfes, fo do we Termes of
jLjLtcrme them by fundry termes : For hounds do cal on, bawle, '^7" "'"'

bable/"^^"-

i^x The hoohe of Hunting

bable, crie, yearne, lapyfe, plodde, baye, and fuch lyke other noy-
fes. Firft when hounds are firfte caft off and finde of fome game
or chace, we fay, They call on. If they be to bufie before they finde
the Sent good, we fay They Bawle. If they be to bufie after they
finde good Sent, we say They Bable. ii they run it end wayes or-
derly and make it good, then when they holde in togethers me-
rily, we fay Tkey are In cr'te. When they are earneft eyther in the
chace or in the earth, we fay They yearne. When they open in the
ftring (or a Greyhounde in his courfe) we fay Tkey lapyfe. When
they hang behinde and beate too muche on one Sent or place, we
fay They plodde. And when they haue eyther earthed a vermine,
or brought a Deare, Bore, or fuche lyke, to turne head agaynlt
them, then we fay They Baye.

The difference betweene houndes and
Greyhoundes for termes

Difference. "\T T^ finde fome difference of termes betwene houndes, and
W Greyhoundes. As of Greyhoundes two make a Brafe^
and of houndes a Couple. Of Greyhoundes three make a Leafe,
and of houndes a Couple and a halfe. We let flippe a Greyhound
and we cafte off a Hounde. The ftring wherewith wee leade a
Greyhounde is called a Leafe, and for a Hounde a Lyatne. The
Greyhounde hath his Coller, and the Hounde hath his Couples.
Many other differences there be, but thefe are mofb vfuall.

The different names of chaces, when they

be yong in the neaft, or fucking

the Damme

A Yong red Deare is called a Calfe : a yong fallow Deare, a
Fawne : a yong Rowe or Gote, a Kidde : a yong Bore, a
Jfigge : a yong Hare a Leueret : a yong Conie, a Rabct : a
yong Foxe is called a Cubbe : a yong Badgerd as the Bores
yong : a yong Catte, a Kittling : a yong Martern, a Martcrne-
cubbc: a yong Otter, a whclpe. And likewife of Beare and

Wolfe

Tong.

The hoohe of Hunting 24.3

Wolfe as farre as euer I read.

The termes for the tayles of all chafes

THe tayle of Harte, Bucke, Rowe, or any other Deare,
is to be called the Syngle, The Tayle of a Goate, is plain-
ly called his Tayle. The tayle of a Bore, is to be termed
his 'wreath. The tayle of an Hare and Conney, is called their
Shut. The tayle of a Foxe is called his Bujlo^ or (as fome vfe to
fay) his hoUywater R>r'mkle. The tayle of a Wolfe is to be called
his Stearne. Of the reft I haue not read.

Termes to be vfed, when any chace goeth
to the water by force

WHen an Hart or any Deare is forced to the water, we
fay he goeth to the Soyle. But yet therein alfo there is
difference. For when a Hart firft taketh the water, we faye he
Proffereth. When he goeth quite through a ryuer or water, we
fay he breaketh Soyle. And the Slot or viewe which is founde
of fuch a Deare, on that other fide of the water, is to be termed,
as of a Deare defoulant the Soyle. The Hart, Bucke, Gote,
and Bore, do alfo take foyle oftentimes without enforcing. All
other beaftes are none otherwife termed, but playncly to take
the water, fauing onely the Otter, and he is fayde to beatc the
Streame.

Other generall termes of the Hart
and his properties

JiN Hart when he is pail his lixth yeare, is generally to be
jf3_cal]ed an Hart of te?me^ and afterwardes according to
the incrcafe of his Heade^ whether it be Crocked^ Palmed
or Crouined. When he breaketh hcarde and draweth to the thic-
kets, he is fayde to take his holde. When a huntcfman draweth
after him with his houndc, if he goe into any grouc or wood, he

Covreth

244 -^'^^ hooke of Hunting

Covreth, and if he come out againe, he Difcovreth him felfe.
When he feedeth in fieldes, clofes, or corne, he feedeth : otherwife
he Brovjfeth. In the heate of the daye he withdraweth him felfe
for the flyes, and then we fay, he goeth to the Steppe. His heade
when it commeth iirfl out, hath a ruifet pyll vpon it, the whiche
is called Veluet^ and his heade is called then a veluet heade^ the
toppes thereof (as long as they are in bloude) are good meate,
and are called Tenderlings. When his heade is growne out to
the full bygneffe, then he rubbeth of that pyll, and that is called
fraying of his heade. And afterwardes he Bumijheth the fame,
and then his heade is fayde to be full fommed. His ftones are
called his doulcets, and the caule about his paunche is called his
Kell. When he ftayeth to looke at any thing, then htjlandeth at
gaze. When he bounceth by vpon all foure, then he tryppeth^ and
when he runneth verie faft, then h&Jireyneth. When he fmelleth
or venteth anye thing, then we faye he hath {this or that) in the
ivinde. When he is hunted and doth firfb leaue the hearde, we
fay that he is Syngled or emprymed. When he is foamy at the
mouth, we faye that he is emhoB. And when he holdeth out his
necke, we fay he is J^ent or done. And when he is deade, we
faye that he is downe. The rewarde to the houndes, is called a
Reivarde or quarrey.

Termes generall of the huntefman, in
hunting of any chafe

WHen huntefmen doe beate any Couerte with kennell
houndes for any chafe, it is called dra'wing of the Couert.
When they caft about a groue or wood with their Liamhound,
then they make a ryng. When they linde where a Deare hath
paffed, and breake or plaflie any boughe downewardes for a
marke, then we faye, they hlemjjfje^ or make blemiJJoes. When
they hang vppe any paper, clout, or other marke, then it is to be
called Seijuelling or fctting of Seive/s. When they fct houndes in
a readyneffe whereas they thinke a chafe will pafle, and caft them
off before the reft of the kennell come in, it is called a vaunt laye.

When

The bcoke of Hunting 245-

When they tarrie till the reft of the kennell come in, and then
caft off, it is called an Allay. But when they hold vntill the ken-
nell be paft them, then it is called a Relay. When a hoande
meeteth a chafe, and goeth away with it farre before the reft,
then we fay he foreloyaeth. When a hounde hunteth back-
wardes the fame way that the chafe is come, then we fay he
hunteth Counter. And if he hunt any other chafe than that
which he firft vndertooke, we fay he hunteth change. When
eyther Hare or Deare, or any other chafe vfeth fubtleties
to deceyue the houndes, we faye they crojfe or double.
The rewarde at death of anybeaft of Venerie, is called
the quarry or rewarde. But of all other chafes, it
is to be called the kalloixie. And this is as much
as I can prefently call to remembraunce,
eyther by reading or experience, touch-
ing the termes of Venerie. Wherein
Idefire all fuch as are fkilfull,to
beare with my boldnefle : pro-
mifmg that if any thing
be amyffe, it fliall (God
willing) be amend-
ed at the nexte
impreffion, if
1 lyue fo
long.

FINIS.

2.^6 The hooke of Hunting

A short obferuation fet downe by the

Tranflatour, concerning courfing

with Greyhoundes

BYcaufe I finde nothing in myne Author particularly written
of courfing with Greyhounds, it feemeth unto me, that they
haue not that kynd of Venerie fo much in eftimation in France,
as we do hold it here in England. But that they vfe their Grey-
hounds only to fet backfets, or receytes for Deare, Wolfe, Foxe,
or fuch like. Wheras we here in England do make great account
of fuch paftime as is to be feen in courfing with Greyhoundes at
Deare, HarCj Foxe, or fuche like, euen of them felues^ when there
are neyther houndes hunting, nor other meane to help them. So
that I haue thought it correfpondent vnto this myne enterpryfe,
to fet downe fome briefe rules which I my felfe haue fcene obferued
in courfing with Greyhounds. You Ihall vnderftand then, that we
vfe three maner of courfes with Greyhounds here in England, that
is at the Deare, at the Hare, and at Foxe or other vermine. First
for the courfe at the Deare (efpecially if it be a red Deare) you may
deuide your Greyhounds into three fundry parts, viz. Teafers,
Sidelayes, and Backfets, or Receytes. By this worde Teafers
is ment, the firft Greyhounde, or brafe, or leafe of Greyhoundes,
which is let flip either at the whole hearde, to bring a Deare An-
gle to y^ courfe, or els at a lowe deare, to make him ftreine before
he come at the fidelayes and backfets. For a deare is of this nature,
that when he once hath fet his head forewarde any way, he will
holde on the fame waye, and neucr turneth and wrencheth as a
Hare will do before the Greyhounds. Therefore a Greyhounde
or a brafe being let flip to teafe as before fayd, will make a deare
ftreyne in his courfe before he come at the fidelayes or backfets,
and then they (being frcfli) flial the better be able to take him. It is
commonly vfed also in courfing of deare (fpecially red deare, vtfu.)
to lay a brafe of greyhounds or more by the midway, and thofe are
called fidclays, bicaufe they are to be let flip at y® midfide of a

Deare.

The booke of Hunting 247

Deare. And y^laft fort of greyhounds towards y® latter end of y® cource
is called receit or backfet: Thefe laft Greyhounds are commonly let flip
full in the face of the Deare, to the end they may the more amafe him :
And fo they with the help of the other teafers and fidelayes may the bet-
ter take holde on him all at once and pull him downe, whereas the
fidelayes are to be let flippe at y* fide of a Deare or after him, for feare
leaft they make him fwarue from the backfettes: A redde Deare wil
beare fometimes foure or fiue brafe of Greyhoundes before they can
pull him downe: fuch wonderfull force he is of, and can fo eafilyfhake
ofFa Greyhounde when he pincheth him. The beft obferuation that is
to be taken in making the courfe at a Deare, is that the Teafers do
Hand clofe and vpon a cleare winde : For a Deare will quickly finde
them els : but beyng pail the Teafers how foeuer the reft lie, he will
not lightly turne heade. In courfmg at a Deare if one Greyhounde
go endwayes by another, it is accoumpted a Cote, fo that he whiche
doth fo go by his fellow do reach the Deare and pinche: and in cour-
(ingof a redde Deare that Greyhounde whiche doth firft pinche, fliall
winne the wager : but in courfmg of a Fallow deare, your Grey-
hounde muft pinche and holde, or els he winneth not the wager. It is
alfo to be obferued that when you lay to courfe a Deare, you marke
the place and Countrie where you be. For in a padocke (which is a clofe
courfe in a parke paled or rayled in) it is eafie to fee whiche way the
cource is to be made : fmce theDeare is held in with pales or rayles and
cannot fwarue: but in a plaine heath or countrie,youmuft marke which
way it is moft likely that he will bend, and there lay your Greyhounds
behind fome buflie or tree : that the Deare finde not faulte at them and
fo breake backe. This in effect is afmuch as it is needefull to be confidered
in the courfe at a Deare. But neuer let flippe a yong Greyhound at a
Deare without the companie of fome olde fleflit dog: for eucry dog wil
not byte a Deare at the firfte courfe. And furely he that hath a good
Haregreyhounde, fhal do very euill to courfe a Deare with him, for it
will both brufe him and make him lyther : and the courfe at the Hare is
muchy® nobler paftimc. To courfe y* Hare you muft fend either Hare-
finders before you to find fome Hare fitting, or els your felf with your
companie may range and beatcoucr the fields vntil you either find a Hare
fittyngjOr ftarte hyr. 1 haue marked the harefinders in theyr fceking of

s a Hare

TWRB. VEM.

2,48 The hooks of Hunting

a Hare in Northampton fhyre, and they will neuer beate but one end
of a furlong: and that fhall be the ende which is downe the winde or
from the winde : for they hold opinion, that a Hare will not (by hir wil)
lit with hyr head into the winde. He that will feeke a Hare mufte go
ouerthwart the landes. And euery lande that he pafleth ouer, let hym
beginne with his eye at his foote, and fo looke downe the lande to the
furlongs end. Firftontheonefideandthenontheother: andfohefhall
find y® Hare fitting in hyr forme: as foone as he efpieth hyr he muft crie
Sa Hotu. Then they whiche leade the Greyhoundes may come neare :
and you may appoynt which Greyhoundes fhal courfe. Then let him
which founde the Hare go towardes hyr and fay, vpfuj^e i;/», vntill fhe
ryfe out of hyr forme. Some Hare will not ryfe out of hyr forme vn-
till Ihe be touched : and fome will abyde to be lifted out by the eares,
the whiche is a token of a Hare that will holde out and make a fayre
courfe. If the Hare fit neare vnto any clofe or couert, and haue hyr
head towardes the fame with a fayre fielde behinde hir, you may ryde
with afmuch companie as you haue betwene hyr and the couert before
fhe be put vp, and then peraduenture when fhe ryfeth, fhe will take
towards the champayne: but lightly a Hare will make hyr courfe the
fame way that hyr head ftandes when fhe fitteth in hyr forme. When a
Hare is put vp, you mufte giue hyr grounde (whiche is called lawe)
xij. fcore yeardes or more,accordingto thegroundeandcountriewhere
fhe fitteth: and then let flippe your Greyhoundes. It is a gallant fport
to fee how the Hare will turne and winde to faue hyr felfe out of the
dogges mouth. So that fometimes euen when you thinke that your
Grcyhounde doth (as it were) gape to take hyr, flie will turne and caft
them a good way behind hyr : and fo faueth hir felf by turny ng,wrenching,
and winding, vntilfhereachfomecouertandfofauehyrlife. Incourfing
at the Hare it is not material which dogge killeth hyr (which hunters
call bearyng of an Hare) but he that giueth moft Cotes, or moft tur-
nes, winneth the wager. A Cote is when a Greyhounde goeth endways
by his fellow and giueth the Hare a turne (which iscalledfetting a Hare
aboutc) but if he coaft and fo come by his fellowe, that is no Cote.
Likewife if one Greyhounde do go by another, and then be not able
to reache the Hare himfelfe and turne hyr, this is but ftrippyng and
no Cote. If there be no Cotes gyuen betwene a brafe of Greyhounds,

but

The Jjooke of Hunting 249

but the one of them ferueth the other at turnyng, then he whiche gy-
ueth the Hare moft turnes fliall winne the wager: and if the one do
gyue as many turnes as the other, then he whiche beareth the Hare
fhall winne the wager. A Cote ferueth for two turnes, and twoo
ftrippyngs or lerkinnes (as fome call them) ftande for a Cote : alfo
many times a Hare doth but wrenche and not turne: for it is not cal-
led a turne vnlefTe the Hare be fet aboute, and do turne (as it were)
roundeaboute: two fuch wrenches ftande for a turne. Alfo fometimes
a Hare that is commonly courfed wil know the countrie : and bycaufe
fhe coueteth the hard beaten wayes, fhe will(of hyr felf) fwarue at fuch
a way, and that is neyther to be accompted a turne nor a wrench: but
if neyther of your Greyhoundes be able to turne the Hare vntill the
ende of the courfe, then he which went foremoft throughout thecourfe
muft winne the wager. And for the better decidyng of all thefe que-
flions, if it be at a folempne aflembly, they vfe to appoynt ludges
whiche are expert in courfmg, and fliall ftande on the hilles fides whe-
ther they perceyue the Hare will bende, to marke whiche dogge doeth
beft,and to giue iudgement thereof accordingly: fome vfe when theyr
Greyhoundes be both of a colour to binde a handkerchef aboute one
of theyr neckes for a difference. But if he were my Dogge he fhoulde
not weare the handkerchief, for I could neuer yet fee any dogge win
the courfe whiche ware the handkerchief. And it flandeth togoodrea-
fon, that he which weareth the handkerchef flioulde be combred there-
with, both bycaufe it gathereth winde, and alfo bycaufe it doth parte-
ly floppe a Dogges breath : if the Greyhoundes be but yong or
flowe, you may courfe with a leafe at one Hare, but that is feldome
feene, and a brafe of Dogges is ynow for fuche a poore beafl. When
you go to courfe eyther Hare or Deare, or to Hunte any chacci, it is
a forfayture (amongft vs here in Englande) to name eyther Beare,
Ape,Monkie, or Hedgehogge: and he whiche nameth any of thefe
flioulde be payde with a flippe vppon the buttockes in the fielde before
he go any furder. To courfe at a Foxe requyreth none other Arte than
to flande clofe and vppon a cleare winde, on the outfide of the couert
by fome bottome or place where it is likely that he will come out: and
to gyue hym head inough, for elfe he will turne backe agayne, and

s X there

25" o The hooks of Hunting

there is no daunger in giuing of him head where there is plain ground,
for the floweft dogge y* euer ranne wil ouertake a Fox if he haue field
roome. Some vfe to watch a Fox when he goeth out to his feede, and to
ftand in y® moil likely places in a moone fhine night and fo to courfe
him: but that is but vncertayne vnlefle it be in clicketting time, when
they go prowde: then you (hall heare them barke and howle one after
another. But otherwife the fureft courfmg is when you hunte with
houndes, to fet your greyhounds vnderneath the winde very clofe in
fome bottom or little playne, and there to courfe the Fox when hecom-
meth out. This courfe is fhort, but it is dangerous, for oftentimes a
good Greyhound is marred with a Fox; and therfore few men will
courfe a Fox vnlefTe it be with old Greyhounds which arc brufed dogs,
andwhichthey make fmall accoumpt of: and you Ihal fee an old bitten
dogge when he ouertaketh a Fox, thruft his forelegges backwardes and
fall vpon him with his cheft : and fo faue his legges from bytyng when
he taketh the Fox : and agayne as foo;ie as euer he layeth hold on him,
he wil fliake him about his eares continually, vntill he haue broken his
backe or killed him : for by that meanes he giueth the Fox no leaue nor
tyme to byte hym. There is another kinde of courfmg whiche 1 haue
morevfed than anyof thefe: and that is at a Deare in the night: wherin
there is more arte to be vfed than in any courfe els. But bicaufe I haue
promifed my betters to be a friend to al Parkes, Forrefts, and Chaces,
therfore I will not here exprefTe the experience which hath bene dearer
vnto me, particularly, than it is meete to be publiflied generally. But
thusmuch I haue thought meete of my felf to adde concernyng courfmg
w* Greyhoundes, the which is doubtlefle a noble paftime, and as meete
for Nobilitie and Gentlemen, as any of the other kyndes of Venerie
before declared : Efpecially the courfe at the Hare whiche is a fporte
continually in fight, and made v/ithout any great trauayle : fo that
recreation is therein to be founde without vnmeafurable toyle and
payne : Whereas in huntyng with houndes, although the paftyme be
great, yet many tymcs the toyle and payne is alfo exceedyng great :
And then it may well be called, eyther a paynefull paftyme,
or a pleafant payne.

FINIS

The meaTufes ofblowiiig fet downe in the notes

for the more cafe and ready help of fuchas aredefi-
reus to learnc the fimctand tlicy arc fet downc

according to the order which is oblcraed ai thefc
daycs in this Rcalmc of Englande
asfollowech.

The Call for the Companic in the mormng.

All tobeblowen wiih one win Je.

J I ■mi 'nrf mhHiU

•QTjje Sfrake to t^timtMo btblotoEn toUl) ttouj Volnot?.

i

^f=n^

m\ TTT. mt^ int 1X4

'^m

•^Ije tneoupUng of t^t Couerfe Qoe.*2ro tcblo'coen \t)It|j f^jet toItiOf?.

LtiiriTirmi''nMnii'fnriTi|M^^a

ta

iiii

rrY^- - '^ ^^ ^^ -^'^

H I »li^ iili |il< ry

J J Lxj LJ 'i*i iii* i» ^7^* *" **** ii"'f Iiii O *

LQi^m

The meafixres of blowing.
tS^tn Q)e l^oonDe? do tiante a (5&mt o} C^afc bn^noiom.

All with one winde.

mS'niiJimnttirMjnitr

I

jUii ^ ilii iiU iiUi Ijlli I UUu I illl i ilU [UluuII:

'f7»Ti

n

<?S:iie ^abinji from Couctt to Couert. ^lit^ notaj loinoejS.

ilU liU ilU iiii iiU i ii i~iH'"H^ViUi iiii iiiiiii

I

OT^ttie 05ame Ootti b^ca^e Couect. Witii Cotire toinDc?.

4=FF

'iriiTnTinT'inrTn

iG"

JiTii''iTir'inr'inrnir'mT'niliTl

♦2rt>e (t«rtl)fn J of a JFon.tf tjJ be contrabU. saiifti fb?« tolnbea.

I

TnT'inT'iiTt irjrnn i mT'inr 'nir 'iru'iiis^

s

The mcaflircs ofbIovving#

SiDlien t^t Jpoje iji not couerabU, (o c&n Si\D&T-

rf 'mt'iiiTiri lUirmr'nirirji'inrmriiii^

*¥Tr~r

And the Kechate vpon ic

■I'niiiiii'mnri|minrnirflifl7| iii.ir |

«^|)e Deatfi of a a)care \»W) £o%De,0} ^crptioimiujt.

'^eDeattioCaSiulceVDitti {lOunoe^.SUitti tteto toinoe^

'ini'intiTiiiTTTmr'im'n'i

t4l.

^e

The meafures of blowing,

tlTlje p?pfe of an ^stttt Eopa!I.35Iie|j t^n tolnttrt.

This to be blowen thrice with three feuerall windcs.

M TnTinTiriuumfnTrirj mi'UMm

and the Rechate vpon it

3 &f rake of npnc, to Dja^oe tiome tfie compante. ^Uti tlsoi tDinDcj{.

irmMHi'inr'nir.TTiiri'm

■riflU'mi iro4»g^

^ I)Iote( Cb} t^e ^mi^tti tit an eart^.^itti tloo tofnorn.

iminiiiil'iriii'inli i nrrmrmTu-?

Oxford : Princed by Horace Hart, M.A., at the Clarendon Press

SK 25 T8 1 908

^^ IJniversity of British Columbia Library

Sltlc^DUE DATE

}m 4 - 1966

FEB 1 6 1967

FPB f 7 ,Or^-

^50V 2 c

Ut t

V 1 / i

JAN 2

JAN 2 1 It

APR la ia73

ms Wh

MA>

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