[245] The beginning of this sentence relating to the "server of the hall" is not in our MS. but in the Shirley MS.
[246] Shirley MS., "harthounds."
[247] Shirley MS. has "resteynour."
[248] This means that the men in whose charge the teasers and receivers were placed were given the skin or fee.
END OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM MS.
VESPASIAN B. XII.
The following is the concluding passage of the Shirley Manuscript (Add. MS. 16, 165) in the British Museum:—
Now I pray unto every creature that hath heard or read this little treatise of whatever estate or condition he be that there where there is too little of good language that of their benignity and grace they will add more, and there where there is too much superfluity that they will also abridge it as may seem best by their good and wise discretion. Not presuming that I had over much knowledge and ability to put into writing this royal disportful and noble game of hunting so effectually that it might not be submitted to the correction of all gentle hunters. And in my simple manner as best I could and as might be learned of old and many diverse gentle hunters, I did my business in this rude manner to put the craft and the terms and the exercise of this said game more in remembrance and openly to the knowledge of all lords, ladies, gentlemen and women, according to the customs and manners used in the high noble court of this Realm of England.