--Grafton Estate-- Royal Hunt at Grimscote 1875

Fifty Years of Hunting By J.M.K. Elliott

The ex-Queen of Naples

The ex-Queen of Naples

In the month of December, 1875, Her Majesty the ex-Queen of Naples came to England for fox-hunting. Her Majesty took up her residence at a house called “Park View,” near to Towcester, and quite in the centre of the Grafton Hunt, whence she attended many of the open meets.

The ex-Queen’s first appearance in the hunting field took place at Castlethorpe. Although she was a splendid horsewoman, quite devoid of fear, had ridden at the head of an army and had been under fire, yet Her Majesty had never ridden over country. Mr. Fredrick Allen, the riding master, had given her many lessons in the art, and great credit was due to him for teaching the Queen so successfully. Mr. Allen also provided the hunters; two chestnut horses called respectively Pilot and Pickles, which could not be surpassed in any way for the purpose of carrying the Queen. As time went on it became apparent that the ex-Queen was passionately fond of hunting, and the bigger the fence the better she liked it!

The Empress of Austria

Riding home from Stowe-Nine-Churches one evening with the Empress of Austria and the ex-Queen I was asked if I could get them a glass of milk. Knowing a nice old farmer, a tenant of the Duke of Grafton, at Grimscote, I rode to his house, which being on a bank, prevented access on horseback to the front door; I therefore went into the farmyard, where I met Mr. Gibbins, and told him that I had come to ask for a glass of milk for the two Royal Ladies. Of course I received a ready response, and on the arrival of their Majesties they were perforce to ride up to the back door, where the hostess appeared with a jug of milk and tumblers, and handed the refreshment over the paling where the horses were standing up to their knees in straw. The idea struck me what a nice picture it would have made! The good people were deeply sensible of the honour done them, and the Empress and Queen thanked them most graciously.

The ex-Queen hunted two seasons and part of a third, and then, owing to her Majesty’s health giving way, she was obliged to retire in the month of January.

Note:The farm they visited was Ivy Bank Farm Grimscote.