igS THE RED DEER OF EX MOOR. 



his life. He was a busy man who took an active 

 part in the affairs of the country generally, but did 

 not neglect West Somerset. He was a near con- 

 nection of the Luttrells, and of the Trevelyans of 

 Nettlecombe. One of the earliest acts of Henry VH, 

 on his accession was to appoint Sir Giles Daubeny 

 Master of the Harthounds. He was much too busy 

 a man to do more than supervise either the forest or 

 the hounds, and we know that he appointed his 

 cousin, Sir John Trevelyan, of Nettlecombe, to 

 look after the game on Exmoor, and it is not 

 unnatural to surmise that this included the 

 hounds. 



This is probably the explanation of the dispute 

 between Sir John and the Luttrells, which is alluded 

 to in a letter from Sir Giles, published by the Camden 

 Society : — 



CousYN Trevylion, 



I comaund me unto you in as herty maner as I can, and 

 understand that upon my late wHing unto you for taking hede 

 unto the Kinges game w-in the forest of Exmore, we have right 

 well endeavoured you for the good keeping of the same; for the 

 which I am right heitely well contented w- you and pray you of 

 yJ like continuance of the same. Howe soo be it I am enformed 

 that of late a little grugge is fallen bitwene my brother Sir Hugh 

 Luttrell and you, for that he hunted of late in the oute wods of the 

 said forest, and thereupon a couple of hounds were taken up by 

 svants of yo- from his svants. After that, Cousyn, inasmoche as 

 my said broth- Luttrell is a borderer of the said forest, and that 

 ye knowe he hath maried my sister, and the man whome I do love 

 tenderly : my minde is and desire unto you that ye shuld have an 

 yghe unto hym above all others in those plies : And that when it 

 shall like hym to kyll a dere or to hunt for his disport ; that ye 



