The Middleton Accounts of 1526: #17

The next entry in the Middleton household accounts for Sir Henry Willoughby in 1526 was dated 4th April. It is a repeat of an entry from the previous April and was described as a reward to someone who had brought word of where red deer lay by the side of Maxstoke, Warwickshire. The amount was also 4 pence, which was the equivalent of about £7.35 today.

This entry is not in the hunting season for almost all types and sex of deer. The hunting season for does (female deer) was September until Candlemas (February 2nd). For the male red deer, the hunting season was Midsummer Day (June 24th) to Holy Rood Day (September 14th). However, the date of this entry is in time with the very start of the fawning, or calfing, season of the red deer. Moreover, every time this type of entry appeared in the accounts, the deer were described as lying and being seen lying down is a key indicator for fawning.

Middleton had a deer park from the 13th century until the 19th century. The start of fawning was a critical time for those who managed deer parks because knowing when it was imminent enabled the landowners, parkkeepers and foresters to manage their herd and land effectively. Various rules were made to protect the does and their calves. These were important in order to ensure the maintenance of the herd as well as the woodland cover.

After fawning began, Fence Month regulations came into force. Normally, these were enacted around Midsummer’s Day. Under these regulations, parts of the forest were fenced off in order to protect nursing does and their calves. During this period all activities that would usually be undertaken in the forest would be prohibited. This included the blocking of rights of way or forest rights and the prohibition of certain basic activities such as collecting firewood or letting livestock graze in the area. In some areas “watchers” were even employed to ensure the protection of the deer at this time.

Furthermore, it was an offence to destroy the vegetation in the area that would be fenced off. This was because it was well known, even centuries before Tudor times, that fawning had a high mortality rate if there was inadequate shelter or fodder. Shelters were thus often built especially for the does and it is known that more than one shelter was built in the Park Quarters in Middleton Park.

Part of the 1762 map of Middleton showing the Park Quarters. Photograph taken by Wil Goodridge, 2021. Courtesy of Lord Middleton.

Next entry: 15th April

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p.382.

Jean Birrell, “Deer and Deer Farming in Medieval England”, The Agricultural History Review, 1992, vol. 40, issue 2, pp.112-126.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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