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Old Foresters and Wood-men, with others well acquainted with Hunting, do reckon that there are five Beasts of Venery, (that are also called Beasts of Forest) which are these: the Hart, the Hinde, the Hare, the Boar, and Wolf: this is the Opinion of Bu∣daeus
likewise, in his Treatise of Philologie, speaking of the former Beasts, Semper Forestae & Veneris habentur Be∣stiae: These (saith he) are always accounted Beasts of Venery and Forest.
Some may here object and say, Why should the Heart and Hinde, being both of one kinde, be accounted two several Beasts? To this I answer, That though they are Beasts of one kind, yet they are of several seasons: for the Hart hath his season in Summer, and the season of the Hinde begins when the Hart's is over.
Here note, that with the Heart is included the Stag, and all other Red Deer of Antlier.
There are also five wild Beasts that are called Beasts of Chase; the Buck the Doe, the Fox, the Martron, and the Roe.
The Beasts and Fowls of Warren, are the Hare, the Coney, the Pheasant, and the Partridge; and none other, saith Mr. Manwood, are accounted Beasts nor Fowls of Warren.
My Lord Cook is of another Opinion, in his Com∣mentary on Littleton 233. There be both Beasts and Fowls of the Warren, saith he: Beasts, as Hares, Co∣neys, and Roes: Fowls of two sorts, Terrestres, (and they of two sorts) Silvestres, & Campestres. The first, Pheasant, Wood-cock, &c. The second, Partridge, Quail, Rail, &c. Then Aquatiles, as Mallard, Hern, &c.
There is great difference between Beasts of Forest, and Chase; the first are Silvestres tantum, the latter Campestres tantum. The beasts of the Forest make their abode all the day-time in the great Coverts and secret places in the Woods; and in the night-season they repair into the Lawns, Meadows, Pastures, and plea∣sant feeding places; and therefore they are called Silvestres, Beasts of the Wood. The Beasts of Chase do reside all the day-time in the Fields, and
upon the Hills or high Mountains, where they may see round about them afar off, to prevent danger; but up∣on nights approach they feed as the rest in Meadows, &c. and therefore these are called Campestres, Beasts of the Field.
Let us in the next place discover their Names, Sea∣sons, Degrees, and Ages of Forest or Venery, Chase and Warren: and because the Hart is the most noble, worthy, and stately Beast, I shall place him first; and must call a Hart
The first year, a Hinde-calf, or Calf.
The second year, a Knobber.
The third year, a Brocke.
The fourth year, a Staggard.
The fifth year, a Stag.
The sixth year, a Hart.
If hunted by the King, a Hart Royal. If he es∣cape, and Proclamation be made for his safe return without let or detriment, he is then called a Hart Royal Proclaimed.
It is a vulgar errour, according to the Opinion of Mr. Guillim, to think that a Stag, of what age soever he be, shall not be called a Hart till he be hunted by the King or Queen, and thence he shall derive his Title. Mr. George Turbervile saith positively, he shall not obtain that Name till he be hunted or killed by a Prince. But late Huntsmen do agree, he may be called a Hart at and after the age of six years old.
Now if the King or Queen shall happen to hunt or chase him, and he escape with life, he shall ever after be called a Hart Royal: But if he fly so far from the Forest or Chase, that it is unlikely he will ever return of his own accord to the place aforesaid,
and that Proclamation be made in all Towns and Vil∣lages thereabouts, that none shall kill or offend him, but that he may safely return if he list; he is then called a Hart Royal Proclaimed.
The second Beast of Venery is called a Hinde.
And she is called the first year, a Calf.
The second year, a Hearse; and sometimes we say Broc∣kets Sister, &c.
The third year, a Hinde.
The next and third, which by old Foresters is called the King of all Beasts of Venery, is the Hare.
And is called the first year, a Leveret.
The second year, a Hare.
The third year, a Great Hare.
The fourth Beast of Venery is called the Wilde-Boar.
The first year, he is a Pig of the Sounder.
The second year, he is a Hog.
The third year, he is a Hogs Steer.
The fourth year, he is a Boar; at which age, if not be∣fore, he leaveth the Sounder, and then he is called a Singler or Sanglier.
The fifth and last Beast of Venery is the Wolf.