Washington sentinel., 1898-03-19
rns HIstory OF HaoKne1 Marshes.
L6oyd's WsekS Mar asins.

senses the least beautiful, is Hack
ney Marshes, with its s3s acres oI
ditch divided land. Subject to
periodical inundations from the
river Lea in the old days it was
much frequented by iowling and
hawking parties. In relation to
this latter sport a curious story is
told. In September, 1892, a hawk
was caught at the Cape of G BOD
Hope. and brought from there by
an English vessel. The bird had
on its neck gold collar on which
was engraved: This goodlie
hawke doth belong to his Most
Excellent Majestic, James, Kinge
of England, A. d. 1910" The dis
covery created much discussion at
the time, and it was recorded as a
curious incident of the longevity
and flying powers OF the hawk,
since the bird was believed to be
one that con the Lea marshes
mounted so high with his game
that both hawk and heron got out
OF sight and were never seen more.
Inquiry was made not only all
over England, but in all the for
eign princes courts in Europe, the
hawk having the kings iesses and
marks sufficient whereby il might
be known; but all inquiries proved
insufficient" That the kings Of
England had long looked upon
the Lea or Hackney Marshes as
good sporting ground is shown
also by an entry in the account Of
the Comptroller of he Wardrobe
of King Edward l., 1899, paid to
Will de Foxehunte for the keep
OF twelve hunds belonging to the
king tor his use on the Lea
Marshes, each dog per day half
penny-66 3s."
The marshes have also been the
scenes of war and warlike prepar-
ations. 1t was here the Duke OF
Gloucester and his party appeared
in arms in the reign of Richard H.,
and remained encamped while they
sent John, Lord Lowell, with the
Archbishop of York and others to
the king. 1t was during this So
journ on these sodden and mias
matte fats that the Duke con-
tracted the aqua, which, according
to historians, so worried him. In
the reign of Charles H., Hackney
Marshes figured in a notable at
tempt to improve the ordnance OF
the time inaugurated by Prince
Rupert. That fiery Royalist leader
set up water mill that gave him
sufficient power to bore guns by
new method he had discovered,
but the secret died with him, and
the mill fell into ruins, which were
still in existence at the beginning
of the century. Coming nearer to
the present time we find the rec
ords Of Hackney Marshes a mix
ture Of accounts of floods, sporting
events and disorderlY gatherings.
In I774 the remains OF a great
causeway Of stone was discovered,
with many Roman coins and
pieces ofpottery. It was probably
one OF the many great Roman
highways, but though of intense
interest to antiquarians, the mob
saw nothing in 1T but an excellent
opportunity to make little
money, the stones being carted
way and sold by the load, and
the whole relic completely demol-
ished.
A good specimen Of the sport
ing gatherings is afforded by one
which took place on Thursday,
August I3, 1897, when a horse
race was ran or rather swan from
Tyler's terry to the bridge in
Hackney Marsh, the competitors
being two well known sportsmen,
and the first horse winning by two
lengths. 1t is estimated by writer
OF the time that eight thousand
persons gathered to see this con-
test. There is also the significant
sentence that upward OF three
hundred robberies were notified to
the authorities as having taken
place that day" Hackney Marshes
were also notorious Tor bull bait
ing and prize6ghts. What the
sport" were like may be gathered
from an old chronicle of 1891,
which says: ION Friday after
noon, July go, bull was baited
near Temple Mills, Hackney
Marsh, and upwards OF 5000 peo-
ple had assembled by four o'clock.
The bull was brought to the stake
soon after that hour, and after
twelve dogs had run at him he
broke loose. Great uproar and
confusion ensued. Hackney
coaches and jockey carts driving
iuriously in every direction,
horsemen riding against each
other, many hundreds of persons
tumbling one upon the other in
their haste to avoid the fury OF the
enraged animal, which tossed a
a girl nine years of age who iortu-
nately received no material hurt"
While the bull was being secured
a sweep and butcher entered the
ring and fought for four guineas.
After a severe contest, lasting
three-quarters Of an hour. there
was a dispute as to q foul blow,
which the complaints retired to
settle, the bull being again baited.
Then he was taken away, the
chimney sweep and the butcher