1000 years of the English Poacher
A 60 minute documentary by Peter Hodges and Charlotte Paton, on DVD or watch online
Poaching did not exist before the Norman Conquest. Common land belonged to every one and only deer could not be taken, as they were the property of the King.
William the Conqueror in gratitude to his Barons, who had helped him gain the English Crown, gave them vast tracts of land which they kept to themselves.
Entire villages were moved from this land, as were monasteries. Dogs were mutilated to make sure they could not run after game, so the Barons had the lands entirely for themselves to hunt over. Anyone who disobeyed was brutally treated; blinding and castration were common punishments. Being placed in a sack which was tied to the saddle of a horse, and encouraged to bolt was another.
The Bayeaux Tapestry shows that it was at this time rabbits were introduced to England. Kept originally in Warrens, they eventually escaped and became the poacher’s mainstay, feeding the rural poor for centuries.
After WWII a poacher taking a couple of rabbits for the pot was rarely bought before the Magistrates but in the 1000 years in between, the punishments continued to be dreadfully harsh - but nothing deterred the poacher:-
He poached to feed his family.
He poached because he loved the thrill of the chase.
He poached to get one over the “toffs”.
This new production from Peter Hodges and Charlotte Paton will bring to life the history of the poachers, their methods, and the gamekeepers who tried to stop them. There is lovely footage of the grouse moors where lead miners caught grouse to supplement their income.
See how a long net was used, how snares were pinned, how food is prepared from what was secretly caught. All filmed against a background of the English countryside.
An hour’s pleasure for you to enjoy.
Contact
Email charlottepaton16@gmail.com with your details to pre-order stating whether you would prefer an online copy or DVD.
Production has had to be temporarily halted but we hope to be up and running soon - watch this space.
The Game Laws, Punch, 1888
The Wounded Poacher, Henry Jones Thaddeus, National Gallery of Ireland
