334 



Extracts from the Records of the 



Indyghted for hunting in Alborne chase by my L. of Pembroke": 

 opposite the second set of recognizances he adds, " This is lykewise 

 a hunt/' 



At Michaelmas, 41st Elizabeth, at Marlborough, Thomas Pearce 

 was fined 13*. 4td., not only for hunting in Alborne Chase, but for 

 killing coneys there. Yet such an inveterate poacher was he that 

 at the next sessions he was " up " again for a like offence at the 

 same place, save that on this second charge the evidence seems to 

 have extended to " exagitation " only, and not to " necation.^ He 

 produced as sureties Ambrose Adlam, of West Harnham, and John 

 Eyles of New Sarum. But why this succour from a far country? 

 Can it be that the North Wilts coney addressed itself seductively to 

 the palate of the southern city, and was in brisk demand there ? 

 Such a supposition is at variance with inherent probabilities : the 

 woods of Clarendon and Grovely were at hand, and there was no 

 lack of enterprising commissaries. John Mann, of Pitton (with a 

 fine of 405.), collected supplies at Clarendon, and Richard Mundy 

 — though acquitted on the main charge of coney-killing at Grovely — 

 did not escape without a penalty of 20s. for disturbing the deer there. 



Wardour Park was explored by Thomas Brett, of Tisbury, and 

 no doubt all three coverts by many more who have not attained the 

 distinction of a place in the sessions kalendar. 



The Queen's warren at Watcombe, in the parish of Auston (Al- 

 vediston), and Her Majesty's warren and liberty at Mere, fared no 

 better than the preserves of her subjects. Trespass in one, and 

 hare-hunting in the other, are recorded with corresponding fines, 

 which, however, fall far short of the exemplary penalties inflicted 

 in some other instances. 



Of the irregular sportsmen who directed their attention to fishing, 

 it may suffice to mention that certain of the inhabitants of Fisherton 

 Anger found it impossible to resist the attractions of the Earl of 

 Pembroke's waters ; and to chronicle the fortunes of Thomas Riddle, 

 and John Harrison, of " Ambrosbury/'' and William Wolfe, of 

 " Mildeston/' who entered into their own recognizances in £10 each 

 that they would not for the future fish in any water, save with lawful 

 nets, and not otherwise. 



