HAWKS AND HAWKING IN ESSEX.
45
warrens on which they got their living, and showed excellent sport
when flown at with a cast of falcons ; sometimes, as Sir Anthony
Weldon relates, mounting to such a height, that both hawk and
quarry disappeared from view. King James lost a valuable hawk in
this way once, while kite-hawking at Royston.
It would be interesting to know whether any record has been pre-
served of the sport obtained with the hawks at Thorndon, and up to
what date they were maintained there. Having the honour to know
the present (as well as the late) Lord Petre, I ventured to inquire for
information on this subject, but without success, although his lordship
is under the impression that some account of hawking at Thorndon
was published in one of the earlier volumes of the Gentleman's
Magazine. A recent search, however, through several volumes has
not brought it to light.
It may be worth mention here that a notable book on hawking
has been written and published by an Essex man. It is entitled,
An Approved Treatise of Hawks and Hawking, 1619, by Edmund
Bert, gentleman, who resided at Collier Row, near Romford, and
was very successful in training the Goshawk. In his prefatory
remarks to the friendly reader he says :—" In truth I have not kept
any hawke above three yeares, but I have put them off for much
money, besides many thanks and much love. I had for a Goshawk
and a Tarsell a hundred marks, both solde to one man within sixteen
months.''