Hunting in the New Forest in Norman Times

The Other Publications give some detail about how hunts were carried out:

2.5 The Royal hunting party started out on 2 August (a Thursday) and the huntsmen and companions fell in around the King. (Article 24)

2.14 Upon a day in August, the Red King, now reconciled with his brother Henry...came with a great train to hunt in the New Forest. (Henry) was of the party. They were a merry party, and had lain all night at Malwood-Keep, a hunting-lodge in the forest, where they had made good cheer, both at supper and breakfast, and had drunk a deal of wine. The party dispersed in various directions, as the custom of hunters then was. The King took with him only Sir Walter Tyrrel, who was a famous sportsman, and to whom he had given, before they mounted horse that morning, two fine arrows.

4.5 The hunting part spread out as they chased their prey. (Article 4)

4.6 William of Malmesbury in his "Chronicle of the Kings of the English" 1128, described the hunt:

"The next day he went into the forest. He was attended by a few persons. Walter Tirel remained with him, while the others were on the chase" (Article 10)

4.7 The chapter (in the White Ship) about William Rufus' death begins with an atmospheric scene-setting by chronicler Robert Wace:

"They went into the New Forest, intending to hunt stags and hinds; they set up their watch throughout the forest, but departed in great sadness, for the king, the knights and those who were his archers took up their positions and stretched their bows just as they saw the hinds coming.
Robert Wace, Jersey-born poet and historian (c1110-c 1174). (Article 24)

4.12 The hunting party had taken up posts around the forest to wait in ambush for the deer, bows at the ready. (Article 26)

6.13. Article 11 offers quite a different slant:
when a King hunted it was etiquette for a good shot to stand behind the King should the King miss his shot

6.16 - when the King dismounted the rest of the party fanned out into a circle. (Article 11)

6.21 Gaimar is quoted as:

"The king was in the densest part of the forest in proximity to a marsh. he had set his mind on shooting one particular stag which he had been passing in a herd. He dismounted next to a tree, and tensed his bow himself. When the barons dismount, they are scattered all around, and the others fan out in a circle about. Walter Tirel had dismounted near an elder tree very close to the king, and he took his position with his back aagainst an aspen. (Article 25)

6.30 Tyrell's story is as follows: he and the king had taken their stations, opposite one another, waiting the work of the woodsmen who were beating up the game. Each had an arrow in his cross-bow, his finger on the trigger, eagerly listening for the distant sounds which would indicate the coming of game. As they stood thus intent, a large stag suddenly broke from the bushes and sprang into the space between them.

Colin Bower
18 August 2024

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