328 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



ground looking across the deep Eastwater Combe, 

 and over the towering oaks in its bottom to the 

 purple side of Dunkery. The entrance is by a 

 curious thatched gateway into the Court of Curtilage ; 

 on the right or north side, are the stables ; the west 

 end is filled by cattle byres, part of the south by a 

 low wall, while the farmhouse and a cottage fill up 

 the rest of the east end, and form a little court of 

 their own. Almost all the windows face inwards, as 

 do the doors, except two modern doors in the stable, 

 and the whole place is very snug and warm, well 

 protected against the storms of winter. In ancient 

 times it had need, doubtless, of other protection, for 

 it was a lawless district, and records show that 

 bloodshed took place even in the peaceful and lovely 

 Horner Valley. Cloutsham was a place of some 

 importance ; its owners were men of substance and 

 position, for history tells that Richard of Cloutsham 

 was called to Westminster as a juror, about 1250, 

 on a lawsuit as to lands at Dulverton ; he was also 

 surety for his neighbour at Stoke Pero, in a suit with 

 the all-powerful Reginald de Mohun, of Dunster, 

 As one of the regarders of the forest he was very 

 active, not only in presenting the men of Withypool 

 and Hawkridge — it is wonderful how their hands were 

 against every man, and every man's hand against 

 them — for wastes, assarts, and other offences against 

 the vert, but he also attached John Scrutenger, of 

 Cloutsham, probably one of his villeins, for killing a 

 hind at Whitsuntide. 



