34 THE HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. 



seventh Hereditary Master ; and, moreover, John Wydor was 

 not connected with the Hereditary branch of the pack at, prior, 

 or subsequent to, this time. It would, therefore, appear that 

 Henry VII. contemplated the formation of some supplemen- 

 tary pack of Buckhounds immediately after his accession 

 to the Crown. But it seems the intention was abandoned, 

 as we can find no further official reference to it during the 

 rest of his reign. 



Henry VII. was very partial to rural sports. He filled up 

 every office appertaining to the chase from the Chief Justice 

 of the Forests on this side and beyond the Trent to the very 

 subordinate official whom he appointed to be his swanherd 

 on the river Thames. So far as concerned the royal preroga- 

 tive the Forest Laws were strictly enforced. All his liege 

 subjects were enjoined to observe the statutes and ordinances 

 touching the preservation of the game. Deer, of all species, 

 birds and beasts of venery, were vested only in the king and 

 in those to whom he had granted, or confirmed existing grants, 

 of free chase and free warren. 



Apart from the Buckhounds, 'per se, his hunting establish- 

 ments were speedily restored to their pristine status. Thus 

 we find on October 12, 1485, Henry VII. made a grant for 

 life to Sir Giles Daubeney of the office of Master of the 

 Royal Harthounds, and of the emoluments heretofore enjoyed 

 therewith by his predecessor in the said office, Henry, late 

 Earl of Essex. Three days later a similar grant was conferred 

 upon Sir William (afterwards Lord) Willoughby of the office 

 of Master of the King's Harriers, with the wages out of the 

 issues of Bedford and Bucks, and of the alnage of cloths in 

 the counties of Somerset and Dorset, with the emoluments 

 heretofore enjoyed by John Worth, Esq., with that office. 

 There was also a Royal Pack of Otter Hounds, besides various 

 accessories of the chase in connection with the Crown, which 

 it is unnecessary to recapitulate here. Under the circum- 

 stances, we will proceed at once to investigate the " Privy " 

 or Household branch of our pack in the reign of Henry VIII. 



We must view the character of bluff" King Hal as a sports- 



