NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM. 145 
one of his courtiers (hence called Turnbull) from the rage of a 
wild bull. Fitz Stephen (temp. Henric II.) calls those in the 

forests round London Uri sylvestres. Among the provisions at 
the great feast of Nevil Archbishop of York were six wild bulls. 
Sibbald assures us that in his days a wild white species was 
found in the mountains of Scotland. Bishop Leslie says, in his 
time (1598) cattle in a wild state were found in Sterling, Cum- 
mernald, and Kincairn.”’ 
With regard to the above extracts, we need only observe that 
Boethius probably exaggerates the fierceness of the race, and 
draws a little upon his imagination for the. lion-like manes, of 
which, however, the Chillingham breed show some trace. Boe- 
thius’ description, as given by Hollinshed, is as follows:—“ In 
this (Great Caledon) wood were sometime white buls (candidis- 
simo) with shackt heares (jubam densam) and curled manes like 
fierce lions, otherwise they were like unto the tame, nevertheless 
so wild and savage that they would never be made familiar, nor 
tast of any hearbe or grasse that man’s hand had once touched, 
after many daies. Being taken also by the industrie of man 
(which was very bad to doo) they would refuse all sustenance, 
and starve themselves to death. As soon as any did invade 
them, they would rush upon him with great violence and beare 
him to the earth; as for dogs, nets, or any kind of weapon, they 
feared not, neither cared they for any manner of engine. They 
