186 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. 



close by, was held by an ancestor of his, but now belongs 

 to Mr. Dunnett of Uttoxeter. 



Loxley is also interesting from its connection with 

 Robin Hood, who is said not only to have been born there, 

 but to have been married there as well. He is thought 

 by some to have been a Robert de Ferrers. To quote the 

 exact words of Mr. Redfern, from whose history and 

 antiquities of Uttoxeter this account is taken, " It is 

 supposed that he may have had the name of Hood from 

 being hooded, and that of Huntingdon from being engaged 

 in hunting, and, although Norman by blood, it is thought 

 not impossible that he might take up the popular cause. 

 There is in existence in the family of Kynersley, an 

 ancient horn having the proud name of Robin Hood's horn, 

 and which was formerly in the possession of the Ferrers of 

 Chartley, and then of the branch of the same family at 

 Loxley, and so passed to the family of Kynersley by the 

 marriage of the heiress of Ferrers with John de Ky- 

 nardsley. It has the initials R. H., and three horse-shoes, 

 two and one, in a shield, that being the way in which the 

 arms were borne by the first Thomas de Ferrers of Loxley, 

 and probably by a Robert, who preceded him apparently 

 towards the close of the twelfth century ; and as they 

 were on the coloured glass (in the house) of which I have 

 spoken, the traditionary connection with Robin Hood is 

 interesting. The horn is mounted with silver ferrules, and 

 has a silver chain attached to it for suspension. ..." 



With respect to the marriage of Robin Hood at Loxley, 

 an old chronicle states that after his return there from a 

 visit to his uncle Gamewell, in Warwickshire, after certain 

 inquiries concerning his men, 



" Cloranda came by, 

 The queen of the shepherds was she," 



with whom he fell in love, when 



" Sir Roger, the parson of Dubridge, was sent for in haste ; 

 He brought his Mass book and bid them take hands, 

 And joined them in marriage full fast." 



