THE DEER OF EPPING FOREST. 51
Dr. Nott, in his Memoirs of the Earl of Surrey," relates a story to
the effect that Henry VIII. (in whose reign these rules were made)
was actually hunting in Epping Forest at the time of the execution
of his second queen, Anne Boleyn :—"On the fatal morning," he
says, "Henry went to hunt in Epping Forest; and while he was
at breakfast his attendants observed that he was anxious and
thoughtful. But at length they heard the report of a distant gun—a
preconcerted signal. 'Ah ! it's done,' cried he, starting up ;' the
business is done ! Uncouple the dogs, and let us follow the sport.'
In the evening he returned gaily from the chase, and shortly after-
wards married his late queen's maid of honour, Jane Seymour."
Queen Elizabeth, who was very fond of seeing deer coursed with
greyhounds, and of shooting a buck with a cross-bow as it was driven
towards her, paid many visits, we may be sure, for the enjoyment of
her sport, to a forest like this, so near the seat of government, and
hence easily reached. It is on record that in May, 1578, she was
11 "The Works of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and those of Sir Thomas Wyat the Elder ;"
edited by G. F. Nott, D.D., with a Preface, Memoirs of the Earl of Surrey, etc. Two vols. 4to.
London, 1813-16,