Class I. WOLF. 89 



tax of gold and silver into an annual tribute of 

 300 wolves heads. Notwithstanding these his 

 endeavours, and the assertions of some au- 

 thors, his scheme proved abortive. We find 

 that some centuries after the reign of thQ.t Sa.von 

 monarch, these animals were again increased to 

 such a degree, as to become the object of royal 

 attention ; accordingly Edzvard I. issued out 

 his mandate * to Peter Corbet to superintend 

 and assist in the destruction of them in the se- 

 veral counties of Gloucestet^, Worcester, Here- 

 ford, Salop, and Stafford: and in the adjacent 

 county of Derby, as Camden, p. 902, informs 

 us, certain persons at fVormhill held their lands 

 by the duty of hunting and taking the wolves 

 which infested the country, whence they were 

 stiled JFolve himt. To look back into the Sa.vori 



\ 



* Pro Petro Corhet, de Lupis Capiendis. 



Rex, omnibus Ballivis, isfc. Sciatis quod injunximus dilecto 

 etjideli nostro Petro Corbet quod in omnibus forestis ef parcis et 

 a/«5 /ocw z«iracowziVa/?« ?zo5/ro5 Gloucester, Wygorn, Hereford, 

 Salop, et Stafford, in quibus lupi poterunt inveniri lupos cum 

 hominihus canihus et ingeniis suis capiat et destruat modis omni- 

 bus quibus viderit expedire. 



Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem intendentes et auxiliantes 

 estis. Teste rege apud Wcstm. 14 Mali A. D. 1281. Rymer, 

 vol. i. pars 2. p. I92. 



By the grant of liberties from king John, to the inhabitants of 

 Devonshire, it appears that these animals were not then extir- 

 pated, even in that southern country, vide Appendix No. II. 



