Chron_V2_P3

TALES OF MYSTERY, THE MACABRE AND THE UNEXPECTED

THE BADSWORTH CHRONICLES

VOLUME 2 - ISSUE 1 - AUGUST 2006

PAGE 3 OF 3

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This, it must be admitted, was a poor compliment to the fair Miss Sayle. The song settles many points. In the first place, it would seem to prove, when other evidence is compared with it, that both John and Thomas Bright were Masters of the Badsworth. The wrangle amongst the principal members of the field when hounds checked at the Hollins shows pretty clearly that in their early days the Badsworth must have been a trencher-fed pack. The reference to Tippler's blood in connection with Squire Roper goes to prove that the Charlton sent some of their hounds to, as well, as we have seen, as taking a draft from, Badsworth. But the allusion to Squire Roper does something more than this. It points to the fact that the Badsworth country was established on a sound basis long before the date usually given. Squire Roper died in February, 1722, so that if he sent hounds to Mr. Bright, as is implied, it must have been, according to the date given, within a couple of years of the formation of the pack. (17) Of course this is possible enough but it appears more probable, n those days when the conveyance of honds t any considerable distance involved both trouble and expense, that a pack would have attained some sort of note before sending so far for a change of blood. The obvious thing when a fresh pack is being got together by means of drafts is to apply to a neighbouring kennel.

FOOTNOTES

(1) "John Bright, Esq., of Badsworth Hall, tear Pontefract, was the Master of the hounds." So Mrs. Muster's Note. But in other records his name appears as Thomas. Were both John and Thomas Bright Masters? It would almost seem so.

(2) Slinger was Mr. Bright's valet.

(3) Tom was Mr. Bright's son. See note above.

(4) Mr. Harvey, grandfather to Lord Hawke.

(5) The huntsman's name was A. Jarvise, and the whipper?in was called Jack.

(6) Thomas and Benjamin Sayle were brothers, residing at Wentbridge.

(7) Diana, sister of Thomas and Benjamin Sayle.

(8) Ralph Elmsall lived at Thornhill, near Wakefield.

(9) Mr. Anthony Hall, of Wombwell.

(10) Smith lived at Brodsworth and was the warrener.

(11) Dawson was the earthstopper.

(12) Over Don. This took place over the ferry at Sprotbro'.

(13) Roper, Atkinson, and Sunderland wore noted hunters in the county of Sussex.

(14) The name of the " Captain of Shelbroke Hall " was Brown.

(15) Childers, Newby, and Draper wore all noted hunters.

(16) The date of the origin of the Badsworth Hunt has always been given as 1730, and Mr. Bright's mastership as lasting from 1730 to an indefinite date. This year, in Baily's Bunting Directory it is stated that the hunt was established in 1720, and Mr. John Bright's mastership is given as from 1720-35, and Mr. Godfrey Wentworth is given as his successor without any date. The next date given is Sir Roland Winn, 1753-65. But we have seen Thomas Bright writing to Sir Henry Slingsby about hounds in 1738, and it is pretty certain that a Bright was Master of the Badsworth four years later than the date given for the end of Mr John Bright's Mastership in Baily's Hunting Directory. Thomas Bright's letter s dated Nov 18th from Ackworth near Pontefract. The Brights lived at Badsworth Hall just after the Restoration. A Sir John Bright was living there circa 1670. I hink the exact date of his residence was 1673 but a not sure. Now, why should not he and his successors have kept hounds from that time onwards, and in 1770 Mr. Bright, with the assistance of his neighbours, take up fresh country and "establish" a Hunt? Something like this I think must have happened

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