SPORTING PRIESTS. 279 



The indignity of being compelled to ride mares did 

 not continue very long with the English monks, who 

 soon became owners of the best-conditioned horses in the 

 land, and were as devoted slaves to hunting, and other 

 amusements of a similar character, as any beyond the 

 monastery doors. When the archdeacon of Richmond 

 arrived at Bridlington, Yorkshire (in 12 16), to be in- 

 ducted to the priory, he was accompanied by ninety-seven 

 horses, twenty-one dogs, and three hacks. In 1256, 

 Walter de Suffield, bishop of Norwich, bequeathed by 

 will his pack of hounds to the king ; whilst the abbot of 

 Tavistock, who had also a pack, was commanded by his 

 bishop, in 1348, to break it up. William de Clowne, 

 abbot of Leicester, who died in 1377, had so good a stud, 

 and was so skilful in hare-hunting, that the king, his son 

 Edward, and several noblemen, paid him an annual pen- 

 sion that they might hunt with him. WyclifFe, who 

 lived at this time, in his ' Trialogue,' inveighs against the 

 priests for their 'fair horses, and jolly gay saddles and 

 bridles ringing by the way.' And Chaucer does as much 

 in his admirable delineation of the monk of his day :— 



' A monk there was, a fair for the mastery ; 

 An out-rider that loved venerie (hunting) ; 

 A manly man to be an abbot able. 

 Full many a dainty horse had he in stable. 



Therefore he was a prickasour (hard rider) a right : 

 Greyhounds he had as swift as foul (birds) of flight : 

 Of pricking (hard riding), and of hunting for the hare 

 Was all his lust ; for no cost would he care.' 



On the Continent, in 11 80, the third council of 

 Lateran prohibited this amusement while bishops were 



