1623.] THE ROYAL GAME. 249 



In the autumn the king was at Newmarket on 

 a flying visit, when William Lamplough, clerk of the 

 kitchen, received ^500, for providing " divers 

 French gentlemen, lately sent unto his 

 Ma"^ with a present of hawks from the French king, 

 of all necessaries in a journey along with his Majesty 

 to Theobalds, Royston, and Newmarket, they being 

 to reside there for a season, to exercise the game ot 

 hawking for his Ma''" disport and recreation."* About 

 this time Thomas Johnson was appointed supervisor 

 of the game at Newmarket, and Royston, where poach- 

 ing appears to have been excessive, and all justices 

 of the peace, etc., were enjoined to aid and assist 

 him In the performance of his duties, as appears by 

 the followino^ writ : — 



James by the, etc. To all Mayors Sheriffs Justices of 

 Peace Bayliffes, Constables Headborroughs, and all other o'' 

 ofificers and Ministers to whom it shall appertaine Greetinge. 

 Whereas wee are giuen to vnderstand that o'' Game of Hare, 

 Pheasants, Partridge, &c. is much spoyled and killed vp 

 by vnlawfuU wayes w"' Gunnes, Netts, setting Dogs, and 

 divers sorts of Engines the effect whereof wee o'" self doe find 

 in the parts about Royston, and Newmarkett where though 

 wee have given speciall charge and comand for p''sevinge 

 the Game for o'" owne Royall disports, and doubt not but 

 that the gents of qualitie doe in their dutie and respect 

 vnto us yeild all due obedience and comformatie therevnto, 

 yet the Game is exceedingly spoyled by Pochers, and persons 



* Pells, Order Book; Privy Seals, sub dato ; State Papers, Dom., 

 vol. cliv. The valley of the Lee was a favourite meet with the royal 

 hawks and cormorants. The river was strictly preserved by the king, 

 who employed several gamekeepers for that purpose. During this visit 

 one of the king's cormorants was stolen. It was purchased from the 

 thief by the Bishop of Winchester, and, after much ado, was eventually 

 restored to the royal vivaria. 



