Records of the Old Charlton Hunt 



appropriated to the enjoyment of hunting and the chase ; 

 of later years more exchisively to fox-hunting ; and from 

 this circumstance only, Charlton derives its celebrity. 



As long as the pursuit of the fox has existed as a 

 national sport, it is probable there was a ]Meet at Charlton ; 

 but it was first brought into notice from its being the 

 favourite resort of the unfortunate Duke of INIonmouth, 

 who probably owed his acquaintance with Sussex to his 

 friendship with Ford, Lord Grey (afterwards his second in 

 command at Sedgemoor), who was seated at Uppark, in 

 this neighbourhood. Monmouth appears to have had a 

 peculiar love of Charlton, saying jestingly, " When he was 

 King, he would come and keep his Court at Charlton." 

 So early, too, were his hopes of a future crown alluded to. 

 On one occasion he was so entertained and made much of 

 by the citizens of Chichester, being received by crowds, 

 welcomed by bonfires and ringing of bells, and subsequently 

 taken in state to the Cathedral, that Bishop Carleton 

 thought it necessary to write apologetically to the 

 Metropolitan to excuse the apparent want of loyalty to the 

 reigning sovereign. This letter, still extant, is dated 

 February 17th, 1679. Amongst those who paid their 

 respects to IMonmouth at this time were Mr. Butler, of 

 Amberley, ^M.P. for Arundel, and his brother-in-law, Mr. 

 Roper, whose connexion with Charlton, as subsequently 

 alluded to, is probably accounted for by this relationship. 



Two packs of fox-hounds appear to have been kept at 

 Charlton at this time, belonging to the Duke of INIonmouth 

 and Lord Grey, the master and manager being the INlr. 

 Roper before mentioned, a Kentish gentleman, a great lover 

 of the chase, and possessing great knowledge of hounds and 



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