52 THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. 



year made a Gentleman of the King's Privy Chamber. He 

 obtained large grants of Church lands for Essex from 

 Henry VIII., with whom he was a great favourite. On 

 May 24, 1550, he obtained from Edward VI. the keepership 

 of the King's " Turkey-cocks and Cocks of the Game " at 

 Greenwich Palace. The turkey must have then been a rara 

 avis in the land : the game chanticleer was (until lately) 

 emblematical of British pluck and endurance. On April 5, 

 1551, Sir Thomas Darcy was created Baron Darcy of Chiche, 

 CO. Essex, at which time he was Vice-Chamberlain of the 

 Household, Captain of the Royal Guard, and one of the 

 Knights of the Privy Chamber to King Edward VI. He was 

 soon after installed Knight of the Garter. His Lordship died 

 at Wyvenhoo Hall on June 28, 1558. 



