SOMERFORD PARK. 257 



situated near to the slopes, anciently covered with wood 

 and wild forests, of the great central range of mountains 

 which extends from the Trent to the Clyde. It is little 

 more than ten miles, as the crow flies, from the won- 

 derful rocky defile called Ludchurch, situated near 

 the western extremity of a very extensive district of 

 moorlands, uplands, and ancient forests, and traditionally 

 said to be the place where Friar Tuck officiated in the 

 presence of Robin Hood and his merry men. Lyme 

 Hall, so celebrated for its wild cattle, is only about 

 fifteen miles from Somerford towards the north-east ; 

 while Chartley, still more renowned, is about thirty miles 

 distant towards the south-east. The three herds form 

 a group, and possibly had a strong family resemblance. 

 In the present state of the Lyme Park herd, it is indeed 

 impossible to speak positively on this point with regard 

 to it; but it will be evident, from what follows, that 

 the Somerford cattle, though hornless and domesticated, 

 have much in common with the Chartley. Perhaps, 

 however, they are still more nearly allied to the Gis- 

 burne and others which came from Whalley Abbey: 

 both were hornless, and both are found in the neigh- 

 bourhood of ancient forests, at the western foot of the 

 great central mountain range. Avoiding the old " forest 

 roads " — which, passing by Wildboarclough (a deep 

 ravine, whose name sufficiently indicates its former wild 

 inhabitants) and Ludchurch, sacred to Friar Tuck ; and 

 which roads even then, in the height of summer, were 

 said to be so rugged as to require a very large amount 

 of time and considerable horse-power — I started from 

 Buxton with a friend early on August 6th, 1875 ; taking 

 the rail, via Stockport and Macclesfield, to Congleton. 

 On arriving at Somerford Park, I met with great 



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