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, Eoyston, 

 Cambridge, and Newmarket, appears to have arrived 

 at Thetford on the 7th of May,f 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 curious 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.) 



f 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, Eowland 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. 



