42 THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. 



brief entry of enrolment of the grant. This and some sub- 

 sequent payments to him of a similar nature do not correspond 

 to the sums received by the subordinate officers of the pack 

 under this head. On February 1, 1529, George Boleyne, 

 Master of the Buckhounds, obtained a grant of the office of 

 Chief Steward of the Palace of Beaulieu, and of all possessions 

 annexed thereto by authority of Parliament or otherwise, and 

 Keeper of New Park, with a fee of 101. a year for the former 

 and od. a day for the latter. 



About this time his sister Anne had become the avowed 

 object of the king's attentions, and there can be no doubt to 

 what influence these honours were due. The fair sister of the 

 Master of the Buckhounds was a famous equestrian, remark- 

 able among the hard riders of the royal pack. The king 

 frequently encountered her in the hunting-field, admired her 

 prowess in the saddle, and her skill in the mysteries of the 

 chase. When she was out with the hounds he accompanied 

 her in the first flight, and if she were absent his thoughts 

 were with her; the first billet doux she received from her 

 royal lover is closely associated with our subject, having been 

 indited in the hunting-field on the termination of a run with 

 the pack. " That you may think of me the oftener as I am," 

 wrote Henry, " I send you a buck killed with my own hand, 

 hoping when you eat of it you will remember the hunter." 

 From these flirtations in the hunting-field momentous events 

 occurred. Henry created " his entirely beloved Anne Boleyne " 

 Marchioness of Pembroke, divorced Catherine of Arragon, and 

 soon after married and murdered the accomplished sister of 

 the Master of the Royal Buckhounds. In June 1529 George 

 Boleyne, " Master of the King's Buckhounds," received 60s. 

 for finding the said hounds meat. On July 27 he was 

 appointed Governor of Bethlehem Hospital, and in the ensuing 

 month of September he obtained from the king 6ol. 6s. 8d. for 

 one year's allowance, in advance, apparently in connection 

 with his post of "Esquire of the Body." Towards the end 

 of that year he was sent on an embassy to France with 

 Dr. Stokesley, who was shortly after made Bishop of London, 



