244 WILD WHITE CATTLE. 



Naworth Castle, Cumberland.— It appears 

 from the "Household Book" of Lord William Howard, 

 of Naworth, commenced in 1612, that wild cattle 

 were introduced into this park in 1629, from Martin- 

 dale Forest, in the neighbourhood of Thornthwaite, 

 where at that time probably they roamed in a state 

 of nature.* The entry is as follows : 



1629. Januari 9. To Antlionie Bearper George Bell & William 

 Halle for tteir charges and paines in bringinge wilde cattail from 

 Thornthwate — vs. iiijd. 



The date of their introduction at Naworth is thus 

 approximately fixed.t 



The " hirde of the forest " at this time was Richard 

 Fisher, whose wages were ;^8 a year, paid half-yearly 

 in May and .November. When any of the wild 

 cattle here were killed, the skins were sold with those 

 of other oxen, but apparently did not fetch so much. 

 Thus (at p. 284) we find the entry : 



1633. June 22. E.ec. for 2 kine skinns — xiijs. 



Eec. more of him [».«. the purchaser, Wm. Buckle] for one wild kowe 

 akine — iiijs. 



The calves were sometimes killed for the table, and 

 being considered a delicacy, were sent as presents like 

 game and wildfowl. Thus (at p. 318) an entry runs : 



1633. Aug. 23. To Mr. Thomas Hovvarde's manne bringinge one 

 quarter of a -wilde calfe to my Ladie— 7S. 



The cattle in this park, however, did not remain 

 there many years. In 1675 it appears they had 



* This " Household Book," edited by the Eev. George Ornsby for 

 the Surtees Society, seems to have escaped the notice of Mr. Storer. 



t The park at Naworth was then enclosed by a wall, as we gather 

 from entries of payments for repairing it {e.g. p. 320), 



