90 THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS. 



the Tyrian Master of the Household branch hath his quarrel 

 right is a complicated question, and one for the jurist rather 

 than the sportsman to determine. But the King took the part 

 of the Household branch, and who durst gainsay the wisdom 

 of the British Solomon ? 



According to the accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber 

 of the Royal Household and contemporary warrants, it is 

 evident that James I., as early as Midsummer 1603, was 

 desirous to annex the Hereditary Kennel, so as to have those 

 hounds under his direct control, with a view, probably, of 

 amalgamating the two branches. At this time the King was 

 not on bad terms with Sir Pexsall Brocas. For instance, in 

 April 1604, he obtained a pardon for all riots and unlawful 

 assemblies in which he had been implicated before the 20th of 

 March last past, and for forging and publishing forged deeds, 

 and of all forfeitures, due and depending, concerning the 

 same ; but, soon after, affairs between them became invidious, 

 and then ensued the rupture. It is possible that, at this 

 time, Brocas was riding for a fall. At any rate, he offered 

 no impediment when the administration of the Hereditary 

 branch of the pack was practically taken out of his hands, 

 and conferred upon Silvester Dodsworth, by a warrant under 

 the signet, in August 1603. It is evident the Hereditary 

 Kennel was not kept up to the maximum pursuant to the 

 terms of the sergeanty, as certain drafts of buckhounds 

 were requisitioned in the North of England, in order to 

 " replenish " it. Moreover, the King had to find the money 

 required to pay for the food of those hounds. This unsatis- 

 factory state of affairs went on for five years. Then came 

 a climax. On January 26, 1608-9, a royal sign-manual, 

 by the King's command, was issued to the officers of the 

 Household, " to forbear to make any warrant for a Privy 

 Seal, to be directed to the Sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex, for 

 the time being, for the payment of any sums and entertain- 

 ment to Sir Pexsall Brocas, for himself and the keeping of 

 a kennel of hounds, with offices appertaining, which, His 

 Majesty's pleasure is, shall from henceforth cease." This was 



