THE MASTIFF IN THE IQTH CENTURY. 149 



and Dramatic news of August nth, 1877 is an engraving of 

 the gate house of Kirklees Priory, in which Robin Hood 

 died, with the window from which he is said to have shot his 

 last arrow to show where he would be buried. In the illus- 

 tration John Crabtree is represented seated on the wall talking 

 to another keeper ; although small it is a capital likeness, 

 showing his tall figure and long silvery beard. There is also 

 in the same number a picture of the grave of Robin Hood, 

 which is at the top of the park, over the brow of the hill. 

 Truly the bold outlaw, or his historians must have shot with 

 a long bow, and a strong one, for the arrow to have carried 

 so far. But the real facts as far as I can judge, are, that 

 although there seems little doubt that Robin Hood met his 

 death, and was buried somewhere in Kirklees Park, yet the 

 stones covering his reputed tomb have undoubtedly been 

 moved at different times, and were seemingly placed more as 

 a cenotaph to advise the traveller Robin Hood as dead and 

 buried, rather than to mark the exact spot where his body 

 lay. 



About 1820 John Crabtree commenced as a mastiff breeder, 

 having in 1818 or 1819 set some traps in the park for foxes. 

 He was somewhat surprised and not a little puzzled in seeing 

 securely caught one morning, a fine brindle mastiff bitch, 

 broad in head, chest, and loin, small in ear, and long and low 

 in body, with (in Crabtree's opinion) a dash of bull blood in 

 her. How to get her out of the trap was the difficulty, but 

 taking off his shot-belt he fastened it round her neck and 

 then let her out, and led her up to the Hall for the inspection 

 of the Sir George Armitage of that date. John said he asked 

 what he was to do with her; the worthy baronet in true 

 feudal style, evidently considering all found trespassing 'on 



