ANCIENT HARE-HUNTING 9 



the hare was considered the most important object of 

 the chase; a distinction, I imagine, supposed generally 

 to have been acceded to the stag ; but as the hare is the 

 more cunning of the two, there is good reason why she 

 should be honoured with the precedence. The suc- 

 ceeding passage appears on this subject: — 



•' Ere I speak how the hare shall be hunted it is to 

 wit that the hare is king of all venery; for all blowing, 

 and the fair terms of hunting, come of the seeking and 

 the finding of her, for certain it is a marvellous beast." 



That the hounds were given to riot is a circumstance 

 not calculated to occasion any astonishment, because 

 it does not appear that they were confined to the chase 

 of any particular species of game. The following 

 directions are given, supposing a hare to be found in a 

 wood or coppice : — 



'• And then should the horsemen hold them out aside 

 and somedele tofore, with long rods ini their hands to 

 meet with her, and blow a moot and rechase,* and 

 halloo and set the hounds in the rights if they see her. 

 Also for to keep that no hound follows to sheep nor to 

 other beasts ; and if they do to ascry t him sore and 

 alight and take him up and lash him well, saying, Ware, 

 ha, ha, ware, ware, and lash him forth to his fellows." 



Blooding or rewarding the hounds was a ceremony 

 with which considerable importance was connected, 

 and the performance is directed in the following 

 manner : — 



" And when she hath been well chased and well 

 retrieved, notwithstanding her rusing,§ squatting, and 

 reseating, so that by strength at last she be bitten t by 

 the hounds, whoso is next should start to get her whole 



* Rechase or recheat, a note on tlie horn to call back the hounds. 



t Ascry, rate. 



§ Rusing, making a ruse or stratagem. 



^ Bitten, taken. 



