Since the early thirteenth century the Tower Menagerie in London had been sufficiently stocked with exotic animals as gifts to the monarch, and it opened to the public during the reign of Elizabeth I. For three and a half centuries prior to Elizabeth’s accession the menagerie housed bears, elephants, leopards, lions and white bears. The collection was frequently added to and the animals were kept in the Bulwark, later renamed Lion Tower, and the display comprised of rows of cages behind iron grilles, and the animals were exercised daily.
Monkeys as Pets
Portraits of Tudor monarchs show that Queen Catherine of Aragon and King Edward VI both kept pet monkeys, as did Queen Elizabeth I. However the animals lived within the palace leaves much to the imagination, but monkeys were not merely kept for affectionate purposes, they were also used in training dogs for bear and bull baiting – which the Tudors were passionately fond of.
Royal Dogs
Elizabeth of York, mother of King Henry VIII was known to have bred and kept greyhounds, which may have held some symbolic value as the Tudor Coat of Arms depicted either the Tudor Rose or a white greyhound. Greyhounds were widely popular in sixteenth century England, and the royals kept them not only as pets, but also for recreational activities.
The greyhound was commonly used in hunting – a great and ancient pastime among the royals and the rich, who hunted everything from wild boars and rabbits to deer and squirrels, and Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were avid huntsmen. Other breeds used as hunting dogs were bulldogs, mastiffs and even spaniels. Henry VIII kept greyhounds, spaniels, and even birds and a ferret.
Falconry
Hawking was a popular sport among rich men and women, and Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were particularly keen, and the King’s Falconer held a respected position at court. The animals were extremely difficult to train, but when they had received proper instruction they were used to their advantage – to chase and attack other birds, such as the heron.
Canine Pets
Spaniels were common in Tudor England as fashion accessories and were regarded as lap dogs among the rich and were widely loved. This breed was popular among the ladies at court, who kept the animal for affectionate purposes and as leg warmers in carriages. Pet dogs were popular to attract fleas away from their owners and reduce the risk of disease and the plague and were considered advantageous to health.
Horses
Elizabeth I was an adventurous and brave horse-rider, she spent hours riding through the palace grounds, and rode long distances at a fast pace for all of her life. Her favourite courtier and romantic interest, Lord Robert Dudley was the queen’s Master of the Horse, and it was his responsibility to see to their welfare and maintenance.
The monarch used horses for hunting and riding, and horses were bred and imported for their strength and stamina, and the sovereign would always have their favourite horse. Henry VIII had over two hundred horses and was especially fond of the Barbary Horse, which was known for its great speed and energy, and he had them imported from Africa for himself.
Elizabeth’s Pets
Queen Elizabeth always kept a little dog – probably a small toy spaniel, and she had one for all of her reign, the dog was much loved and would accompany her everywhere. Elizabeth also kept a pet monkey in the palace, a parrot in a cage and a civet cat known for its musk-like odour. The queen may have also had two rather wild animals which were kept on a leash within the palace grounds.
See Also:
Sources:
- Elizabeth’s London by Liza Picard, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003
Karl Leon Ciccone - Karl was born in Sunderland, United Kingdom in 1981. His ancestry which is mostly English, is mixed Scottish, Irish, Italian, French, ...
Join the Conversation