82 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 
That in earlier times this species was not only sought 
for by the fowler in this county, but afforded sport even 
for Royalty in the old hawking days, is shown by some 
entries in a curious MS. diary* of Hans Jacob Wurmser 
v. Vendenheym, who accompanied Lewis Frederick Duke 
of Wurtemberg, in his diplomatic mission to England 
in 1610. The Duke, proceeding by Ware, Royston, 
Cambridge, and Newmarket, appears to have arrived 
at Thetford on the 7th of May,t where King James the 
First was then staying for the enjoyment of hare hunt- 
* This very interesting diary, written in old French, is pre- 
served amongst the additional MSS. in the. British Museum, 
in a curiols little volume bound in soft parchment, and is thus 
entered in the catalogue:—“ Wurmser H. J., Travels with Louis 
Count (?) of Wurtemberg—20,001.” Under the head of ‘ Memo- 
rabilia;” a translation of certain portions will also be found in 
a@ communication by Sir Frederick Madden to the “ Illustrated 
News” for February 28th, 1857 (vol. xxx., p. 192, suppl.) 
+ The presence of this Monarch at Thetford at that particular 
date, as well as on many other occasions, is recorded in the 
“ Progresses, processions, and magnificent festivities of King 
James the First,” as published, in four volumes, by John Nichols, 
F.S.A., in 1828. From that author it appears that on March 4th, 
1604, Rowland Whyte wrote from Baynard Castle to the Earl of 
Shrewsbury, “The King is at Thetford, and is soe farre in love 
with the pleasures of that place as he means to have a howse there.” 
Subsequently, in the “ Abstract of his Majesties Revenew,” we 
find amongst the keepers of the King’s houses, the name of Lady 
Barwick and her son as receiving a yearly stipend for keeping the 
King’s house and garden at Thetford, and from 1604 he seems to 
have paid repeated visits to this his favourite sporting seat, until, 
in 1616, as stated by Martin in his “ History of Thetford” (p. 57) 
(and quoted by Nichols, vol. iii, p. 166), “ he received an affront from 
one of the farmers belonging to the town, who being offended at 
the liberty his Majesty took in riding over his corn, in the transport 
of his passion, threatened to bring an action against his Majesty. 
Since that time neither that King, nor any of his successors, have 
visited this town.” The King’s house is still known by that 
name. 
