The Quorn Hunt, usually called the Quorn, established in 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.
After the abolition of traditional fox hunting implemented by the Hunting Act 2004, the Quorn continues to go out on four days of the week during the autumn and winter months, stating they operate within the constraints of the law.
History
The hunt traces its origins to a pack of foxhounds established in 1696 at Tooley Park, Leicestershire, by the youthful Thomas Boothby (1677–1752). Its present name comes from the village of Quorn, also known as Quorndon, where the hounds were kennelled between 1753 and 1904.[1] They were established there by the hunt's second master, Hugo Meynell, who bought Quorndon Hall from the 4th Earl Ferrers.[2] Following more than half a century under the leadership of Boothby, Meynell was Master for forty-seven years. He was known for his innovative mastery of fox hunting and has been called 'The Primate of the Science'.[3]
Among many notable Masters was George Osbaldeston, who in 1823 became the first to return to the Mastership after having previously retired.[6]
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 took place either by purchase or inheritance.[7] The hounds are now said to be "owned by the country", that is, by the hunt organization.[8]
In 1890, Algernon Burnaby and Count Eliot Zborowski together planned the Quorn Hunt's famous Midnight Steeplechase, a jumping race in the middle of the night over twelve furlongs, with the riders dressed in nightshirts and top hats and the fences lit by oil lamps. Burnaby was the triumphant winner, gaining a silver cup provided by Zborowski. The race is commemorated in sporting prints.[9]
A Great Depression began in 1929, and subscriptions to the hunt began to fall. Burnaby, Master since 1912, recruited Sir Harold Nutting of Quenby Hall, "newly rich from bottling Guinness", as his joint Master, and quipped "We don't want your personality, we want your purse!" Jane Ridley has estimated that during the following ten years Nutting spent about £15,000 a year on the Quorn.[10]
In 1853, the southern part of its country was separated off to form the Fernie.[citation needed]
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).[8]
Season and supporters
Hunting takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and (formerly) 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.[1] There is a Supporters' Association.[12]
The hunt's 'Saturday Country' was formerly around Belton, Staunton Harold and Kingston and has its own 'Saturday Country Wire and Damage Fund'.[13]
Although "hunting wild mammals with a dog" was made unlawful in England and Wales by the Hunting Act 2004, which came into effect in 2005,[14] the Quorn Hunt says that it continues to operate within the law.[15] A number of exemptions stated in Schedule 1 of the 2004 Act permit some previously unusual forms of hunting wild mammals with dogs to continue, such as "hunting ... for the purpose of enabling a bird of prey to hunt the wild mammal".[16]
In March 2021, during a lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic, the Quorn Hunt was strongly criticised for carrying out activities to celebrate the birthday of its master. It was reported that people and hounds travelled out of the Quorn's county to the Burley-on-the-Hill area, and apparently engaged in illegal hunting. A supporter of a neighbouring hunt called for the resignation of all Quorn Hunt masters involved in the event after showing "complete disregard and disrespect for the thousands who have died from Covid-19". The Countryside Alliance clarified that any of its members present were there in a private capacity, not representing the Alliance, adding "There is no excuse for anyone engaged in trail hunting activity during this time".[17]
In December 2022 Quorn Hunstman Ollie Finnegan pled guilty to illegally hunting with dogs on 7th January 2022.[18]
Quorn Hunt Ball
There is also an annual Quorn Hunt Ball. In 2014, it took place at Two Temple Place in London[19][20] but there is also one hosted in Leicestershire each year.
Bibliography
William Charles Arlington Blew, The Quorn Hunt and its masters, with illustrations by Henry Alken (London: John C. Nimmo, 1899)[21]
William Scarth Dixon, The Quorn Hunt
Lady Augusta Fane, Chit-Chat (London: Thornton Butterworth, 1926)
Daphne Machin Goodall, Huntsmen of the Golden Age (London: H.F. & G. Witherby, 1956)
Roy Heron, Tom Firr of the Quorn, Huntsman Extraordinary (Liss: Nimrod Book Services, 1984)
Ulrica Murray-Smith, Magic of the Quorn (London: J. A. Allen & Co., 1980)
J. Otho Paget, Memories of the Shires (Methuen, 1920, republ. 2012)
"Cecil", The Quorn Hunt: the Accustomed Places of Meeting, with Distances from Railway Stations, circa 1870[2]
