This inclosed to your lordship is from francis Seagar seruant to the lantgraue of Hess [.] he hath sent also to your lordship 2 deeres heades the one of a Rayne deere, the other of an Ealand a kynd of deer soe caled ther [.] the heades are heer att my chamber att somersett howse vntill I vnderstand your lordhip‘s pleasure for the tyme it please you to haue them brought to Cort to see them, they were sent to me by Garter king att Armes francis seagars brother, who wold haue attended your lordship with them him selfe but that he is sicke. It may please your lordship to lett me knowe when I shall
sendbringe them vp, bycause the messenger that brought them desyres to be att the deliuery of them.Somersett howse
9ber 30. 1605 .your lordships most humble seruant
Tho: wilson.
***
(Thomas Wilson to the Earl of Salisbury, CP 113/60)
I should of course only post this blog with some commentary on the above, but it will have to suffice for me to say that I was amused by the idea of someone sending deers’ heads as a gift to Cecil. I am presuming they are mounted for display. Which raises the question, how long has taxidermy been around to decorate the smoking rooms of the rich and famous more rich..?
I’d expect really quite long. The Egyptians or the Chinese or what have you must have been at it way before when.
I could of course check out what Wikipedia has on taxidermy.. but nah. Makes for more interesting pub conversations this way. 😉