246 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT KACES. 



Baronet, of Sussex." Six horses started, four of them having 

 been distanced in the first heat. The result of the 50 Guinea 

 Plate, competed for by the followers of the Royal Buckhounds, 

 has not transpired ; at any rate, we can find no further notice 

 of it. The Queen, accompanied by all the Court Officials, 

 attended this meeting, as also several of the nobility and 

 gentry who were sojourning at Windsor for the purpose of 

 presenting Her Majesty with the inevitable " Loyal Address " 

 on the occasion of the Peace with France and Spain ; amongst 

 whom were the Duke of Beaufort, Duke of Hamilton, Lord 

 Chancellor Harcourt, Sir Simon Stuart, and numerous M.P.'s, 

 besides a regular invasion of High-Sheriffs, Grand Jurors, 

 J.P.'s, " and other gentlemen and freeholders " from every part 

 of the kingdom. 



1713. — In the ensuing year the Queen's Plate of 100 

 guineas was similarly announced to be run for "on Ascott 

 Common, near Windsor," on Wednesday, August 12; the 

 conditions as to age, weight, distance, etc., being the same as 

 in the preceding j'ear. But should any difference arise it 

 was to be determined by " the Hon. Coyners Darcey, Esq., 

 and the Hon. Col. George Feilding, Esq., Commissioners to 

 execute the Office of Master of the Horse, or in their absence 

 by Richard Marshall, Esq., Master of Her Majesty's Studd." 

 The 50 Guinea Plate was to be run for on Thursday, August 13, 

 by any horse, mare, or gelding that never won 1001. in plate 

 or money " since they were six years old " ; the best of three 

 heats, carrying 10 stone each. They had to be shown and 

 entered at Windsor by the Town Clerk on Monday, August 10, 

 otherwise they were disqualified to run for this plate. Early 

 in this month Windsor was en fete, in consequence of the 

 installation of six new Knights of the Garter — viz., Henry, 

 Duke of Beaufort ; Henry, Duke of Kent ; John, Earl Poulett ; 

 Robert, Earl of Oxford; Thomas, Earl of Straff"ord ; and 

 Charles, Earl of Peterborough. On the 5th the Queen arrived 

 from Kensington at Hampton Court, where she remained until 

 the 10th. On the following day Her Majesty and the Court 

 were at Windsor Castle, and proceeded thence, on the 12th, 



