Quorn Hunt
Encyclopedia
The Quorn Hunt, usually called The Quorn, established 1696, is one of the world's oldest fox hunting
packs and claims to be the United Kingdom
's most famous hunt. Its country is mostly in Leicestershire
, together with some smaller areas of Nottinghamshire
and Derbyshire
.
Despite the abolition of fox hunting intended by the Hunting Act 2004
, the Quorn continues to go out on four days of the week during the autumn and winter months.
The hunt traces its origins to a pack of foxhound
s established in 1696 at Tooley Park, Leicestershire
, by the youthful Thomas Boothby (1677–1752). Its present name comes from the village of Quorn
(formerly Quorndon), where the hounds were kennelled between 1753 and 1904, having been established there as a result of the hunt's second master, Hugo Meynell
, buying Quorndon Hall from the 4th Earl Ferrers
. Following more than half a century under Boothby, Meynell was Master for forty-seven years, and such was his innovative mastery of fox hunting that he has been called 'The Primate of the Science'.
In 1905 new kennels and stables were built at Paudy Lane, Seagrave
, and are now listed buildings. The hunt's present-day kennels are at Gaddesby Lane, Kirby Bellars
, near Melton Mowbray
.
Before gaining its present title in the mid 19th century, the hunt was often known by the name of its Master: for instance, from 1827 to 1831 it was called 'Lord Southampton's Hounds'. Until 1884, the hounds were owned by the Master and a change of mastership was either by purchase or inheritance. The hounds are now said to be "owned by the country", that is, by the hunt organization.
Among many notable Masters was George Osbaldeston
, who in 1823 became the first to return to the Mastership after having previously retired.
Three warship
s of the Royal Navy
have been called , celebrating the Navy's links with the Quorn Hunt and village and the town of Melton Mowbray.
, plus some coverts in Nottinghamshire
and Derbyshire
, stretching from just south of Nottingham
to the edge of the city of Leicester
and from Melton Mowbray westwards to Ashby de la Zouch. On the eastern side of the country lies a rolling open landscape, with good fences to jump, while to the west are the wooded uplands of Charnwood Forest
and the Pennine Chain. The best centres are around Melton Mowbray, Leicester and Loughborough
.
In 1853, the southern part of its country was separated off to form the Fernie.
The adjoining hunts are the Meynell and South Staffs (to the north west), the South Notts (to the north), the Belvoir (to the north east), the Cottesmore (to the south east), the Fernie (to the south), and the Atherstone
(to the south west).
The hunt's 'Saturday Country' is around Belton
, Staunton Harold
and Kingston and boasts its own 'Saturday Country Wire and Damage Fund'.
by the Hunting Act 2004
, which came into effect in 2005, the Quorn Hunt says that it continues to operate within the law.
Fox hunting
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
packs and claims to be the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's most famous hunt. Its country is mostly in Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, together with some smaller areas of Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
and Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
.
Despite the abolition of fox hunting intended by the Hunting Act 2004
Hunting Act 2004
The Hunting Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The effect of the Act is to outlaw hunting with dogs in England and Wales from 18 February 2005...
, the Quorn continues to go out on four days of the week during the autumn and winter months.
History
Foxhound
A foxhound is a type of large hunting hound. Foxhounds hunt in packs and, like all scent hounds, have a strong sense of smell. They are used in hunts for foxes, hence the name. When out hunting they are followed usually on horseback and will travel several miles to catch their target. These dogs...
s established in 1696 at Tooley Park, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, by the youthful Thomas Boothby (1677–1752). Its present name comes from the village of Quorn
Quorn, Leicestershire
Quorn is a village in Leicestershire, England, situated next to the university town of Loughborough. Quorn's name was shortened from Quorndon in 1889, to avoid postal difficulties owing to its similarity to the name of another village, Quarndon, a few miles away. Its original name is said to derive...
(formerly Quorndon), where the hounds were kennelled between 1753 and 1904, having been established there as a result of the hunt's second master, Hugo Meynell
Hugo Meynell
Hugo Meynell is generally seen as the father of modern fox hunting, became Master of Fox Hounds for the Quorn Hunt in Leicestershire in 1753 and continued in that role for another forty-seven years . Meynell pioneered an extended chase at high speeds through open grassland...
, buying Quorndon Hall from the 4th Earl Ferrers
Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers
Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers was the last member of the House of Lords hanged in England.The 4th Earl Ferrers, descendant of an ancient and noble family, was the eldest son of Hon. Laurence Ferrers, himself a younger son of the Robert Shirley, 1st Earl Ferrers-a descendant of Robert...
. Following more than half a century under Boothby, Meynell was Master for forty-seven years, and such was his innovative mastery of fox hunting that he has been called 'The Primate of the Science'.
In 1905 new kennels and stables were built at Paudy Lane, Seagrave
Seagrave
Seagrave is a village and civil parish in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire, England. It has a population of around 500. It is north of Sileby and close to Thrussington and Barrow upon Soar....
, and are now listed buildings. The hunt's present-day kennels are at Gaddesby Lane, Kirby Bellars
Kirby Bellars
Kirby Bellars is a village and civil parish near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, England.-History:The village is recorded in the Domesday Book under the name of Chirchebi....
, near Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray is a town in the Melton borough of Leicestershire, England. It is to the northeast of Leicester, and southeast of Nottingham...
.
Before gaining its present title in the mid 19th century, the hunt was often known by the name of its Master: for instance, from 1827 to 1831 it was called 'Lord Southampton's Hounds'. Until 1884, the hounds were owned by the Master and a change of mastership was either by purchase or inheritance. The hounds are now said to be "owned by the country", that is, by the hunt organization.
Among many notable Masters was George Osbaldeston
George Osbaldeston
"Squire" George Osbaldeston was an English sportsman and politician.Osbaldeston spent his childhood at Hutton Buscel, the family estate in Yorkshire...
, who in 1823 became the first to return to the Mastership after having previously retired.
Three warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
s of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
have been called , celebrating the Navy's links with the Quorn Hunt and village and the town of Melton Mowbray.
Country
The Quorn hunts a wide area of LeicestershireLeicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, plus some coverts in Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
and Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, stretching from just south of Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
to the edge of the city of Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
and from Melton Mowbray westwards to Ashby de la Zouch. On the eastern side of the country lies a rolling open landscape, with good fences to jump, while to the west are the wooded uplands of Charnwood Forest
Charnwood Forest
Charnwood Forest is an upland tract in north-western Leicestershire, England, bounded by Leicester, Loughborough, and Coalville. The area is undulating, rocky and picturesque, with barren areas. It also has some extensive tracts of woodland; its elevation is generally 600 ft and upwards, the area...
and the Pennine Chain. The best centres are around Melton Mowbray, Leicester and Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
.
In 1853, the southern part of its country was separated off to form the Fernie.
The adjoining hunts are the Meynell and South Staffs (to the north west), the South Notts (to the north), the Belvoir (to the north east), the Cottesmore (to the south east), the Fernie (to the south), and the Atherstone
Atherstone Hunt
The Atherstone Hunt is a United Kingdom fox hunt, with hunting country of around within Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire.-History:The Atherstone was established in 1815 in Witherley, and known as the Atherstone hounds...
(to the south west).
Season and supporters
Hunting takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, in the autumn and winter months only. More open country is hunted on Mondays and Fridays, the most popular days, with usually between one hundred and one hundred and fifty mounted followers, plus about twice as many who follow hounds on foot and with cars and bicycles. The smallest number of followers is on Tuesdays. Over eight hundred farmers in the country of the Quorn allow the hunt to use their land. There is a Supporters' Association.The hunt's 'Saturday Country' is around Belton
Belton
Belton may refer to:* Belton, Texas* Belton, South Carolina* Belton, Missouri* Belton, Montana, known today as West Glacier, Montana* Belton, Ontario* Belton, North Lincolnshire* Belton, Lincolnshire** Belton House* Belton, Leicestershire...
, Staunton Harold
Staunton Harold
Staunton Harold is a civil parish in North West Leicestershire about north of Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The parish is on the county boundary with Derbyshire and about south of Derby....
and Kingston and boasts its own 'Saturday Country Wire and Damage Fund'.
List of Masters
- 1696 to 1752: Mr Thomas Boothby
- 1753 to 1800: Mr Hugo MeynellHugo MeynellHugo Meynell is generally seen as the father of modern fox hunting, became Master of Fox Hounds for the Quorn Hunt in Leicestershire in 1753 and continued in that role for another forty-seven years . Meynell pioneered an extended chase at high speeds through open grassland...
- 1800 to 1805: William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of SeftonWilliam Molyneux, 2nd Earl of SeftonWilliam Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton , also known as Lord Dashalong, was a sportsman, gambler and a friend of the Prince Regent.-Personal life:...
- 1805 to 1806: Thomas Foley, 3rd Lord FoleyThomas Foley, 3rd Baron FoleyThomas Foley, 3rd Baron Foley PC , was a British peer and Whig politician. He served as Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen Pensioners under Lord Grey between 1830 and 1833.-Background:...
- 1806 to 1817: Mr Thomas Assheton Smith the YoungerThomas Assheton Smith IIThomas Assheton Smith was an English landowner and all-round sportsman who was notable for being one of the outstanding amateur cricketers of the early 19th century. He was a Tory politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1821 to 1837...
- 1817 to 1821: Mr George OsbaldestonGeorge Osbaldeston"Squire" George Osbaldeston was an English sportsman and politician.Osbaldeston spent his childhood at Hutton Buscel, the family estate in Yorkshire...
- 1821 to 1823: Sir Bellingham Graham, 7th BaronetGraham BaronetsThere have been eight Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Graham, two in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia, two in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and three in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom....
- 1823 to 1827: Mr George Osbaldeston (again)
- 1827 to 1831: 3rd Lord SouthamptonBaron SouthamptonBaron Southampton, of Southampton in the County of Hampshire, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1780 for the soldier and politician Charles FitzRoy. He was the third son of Lord Augustus FitzRoy, second son of Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton, while Prime Minister...
- 1831 to 1833: Sir Harry GoodrickeGoodricke BaronetsThe Baronetcy of Goodricke of Ribston was created in the Baronetage of England by King Charles I on 14 August 1641 for his loyal supporter John Goodricke of Ribston, Yorkshire...
- 1833 to 1835: Mr Holyoake Goodricke
- 1835 to 1838: Mr Rowland ErringtonErrington BaronetsThere have been three Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Errington, one in the Baronetage of England and two in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
- 1838 to 1839: Edward Vernon Harbord, 4th Lord SuffieldBaron SuffieldBaron Suffield, of Suffield in the County of Norfolk, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1786 for Sir Harbord Harbord, 2nd Baronet, who had previously represented Norwich in the House of Commons for thirty years...
- 1839 to 1841: Mr Thomas Hodgson
- 1841 to 1847: Mr Henry Greene, of Rolleston
- 1847 to 1856: Sir Richard Sutton, 2nd BaronetSutton BaronetsThere have been four Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Sutton, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and three in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. One creation is extant as of 2008....
- 1856 to 1863: George Grey, 7th Earl of StamfordGeorge Grey, 7th Earl of StamfordGeorge Harry Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford, 3rd Earl of Warrington was an English peer.George Harry Grey was born in Enville, Staffordshire, the son of George Harry Grey, Baron Grey of Groby . He succeeded his father as 9th Baron Grey of Groby in 1835...
- 1863 to 1866: Mr Clowes
- 1866 to 1868: 4th Marquess of HastingsMarquess of HastingsMarquess of Hastings was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 6 December 1816 for Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 2nd Earl of Moira. The Rawdon family descended from Francis Rawdon , of Rawdon, Yorkshire. His son George Rawdon settled in the village of Moira in Downshire, and...
- 1868 to 1870: Mr John Chaworth Musters
- 1870 to 1884: Mr John Coupland
- 1884 to 1896: John Thomas Manners-Sutton, 3rd Lord MannersBaron MannersBaron Manners, of Foston in the County of Lincoln, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1807 for the lawyer and politician Sir Thomas Manners-Sutton. He served as Solicitor-General from 1802 to 1805 and as Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1807 to 1827...
- 1886 to 1893: Captain Warner (jointly)
- 1886 to 1893: William Byerley Paget (jointly)
- 1893 to 1898: Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of LonsdaleHugh Lowther, 5th Earl of LonsdaleHugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, KG, GCVO was an English nobleman.-Biography:The second son of the 3rd Earl of Lonsdale, he succeeded his brother, the 4th Earl, in 1882. Lord Lonsdale was an avid sportsman and bon vivant and was known by some as "England's greatest sporting gentleman"...
- 1898 to 1905: Captain E. ('Tommy') Burns Hartopp
- 1905 to 1918: Captain Francis ('Frank') Forester
- 1912 to 1932: Major Algernon E. Burnaby
- 1919 to 1928: W. E. Paget
- 1930 to 1940: Lt-Col. Sir Harold Nutting
- 1940 to 1947: Major P. Cantrell-Hubbersty (Acting)
- 1948 to 1951: Mrs P Cantrell-Hubbersty
- 1948 to 1951: Mr F.S. Mee
- 1948 to 1954: Alexander Ronald George Strutt, 4th Baron Belper
- 1954 to 1960: Lt-Col. G. A. Murray-Smith
- 1959 to 1962: Mrs G. A. Murray-Smith
- 1959 to 1985: Mrs Ulrica Murray-Smith
- 1960 to 1962: Lt-Col. T. C. Llewellen Palmer
- 1960 to 1962: Captain E. O. Corsfield
- 1962 to 1965: Brigadier R. G. Tilney
- 1965 to 1972: Captain J. D. A. Keith
- 1972 to 1985: Captain F. G. Barker
- 1975 to 1983: Mr A. J. M. Teacher
- 1985 to 1991: Mr J. Bealby
- 1985 to 1991: Mr E. R. Hanbury
- 1985 to 1991: Mr W. B. Hercock
- 1991 to 1994: Captain Fred. G. Barker (again)
- 1992 to 1994: Mr A. R. Macdonald Buchanan
- 1992 to 1995: Mrs D. E. H. Turner
- 1992 to 2000: Mr C. H. Geary
- 1994 to 1995: Mr R. G. Henson
- 1995 to 1996: Mr R. S. Morely
- 1995 to 1996: Mr R. Carden
- 1996 to 1997: Mr Robin C. Smith-Ryland
- 1992 to 2000: Mr Rad T. Thomas
- 1998 to 2000: Mr A. W. R. Dangar
- 1997 to 2003: Mr A. R. P. Carden
- 2000 to 2004: Mr R. Hunnisett
- 2002 to 2005: Mr W. Cursham
Post-ban
Although the sport of foxhunting in its traditional form was made unlawful in England and WalesEngland and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
by the Hunting Act 2004
Hunting Act 2004
The Hunting Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The effect of the Act is to outlaw hunting with dogs in England and Wales from 18 February 2005...
, which came into effect in 2005, the Quorn Hunt says that it continues to operate within the law.
External links
- quornhunt.co.uk - official web site
- The Quorn Hunt and its Masters (1899) - full text online at archive.org
- Quorn Hunt photos at flickr.com
- Captain Tommy Burns Hartopp at antique-prints.co.uk