Hi Steve,
In some respects, I don’t think Gilbert would recognize how today’s world works. At the beginning of his Letter IX, he talks of a nearby forest, Wolmer, which was held by a grant from the crown. He then lists a number of people of note who manage the forest on behalf of the crown.
The list represents a clear chain of authority tied directly to the land and to the monarchy.
Land ownership at scale looks very different today. With much land being owned not by individuals, and not on behalf of the crown, but rather by institutions, and that could include large businesses and universities such as Cambridge. This is not so easy to see, making land ownership today much less visible.
Gilbert’s letter made me do a little bit of digging around the current structure of aristocracy within Hampshire. Titles still exist. There is an active Lord Lieutenant and a list of his deputies, whilst not from the aristocracy themselves, they also represent a line to the monarchy. There is also a Duke of Wellington whose stately home is Stratfield Saye House, here in Hampshire.
The respect and deference that were given automatically to such people in Gilbert’s list are very different today. Democratic institutions have transferred it to people whom we tend to respect, such as doctors, teachers. Respect is earned, not given solely by virtue of rank or appointment.
Any such list today is as likely to include town councillors who are, generally, not of the aristocracy, but are part of our democratic structure.
The second part of Gilbert’s Letter IX talks about the issue of hunting. Again, his interpretation of the word is very different to ours, but for reasons that wouldn’t be obvious to him.
As in his day, there are two paths: a legal and an illegal path. The practice of explicitly hunting live animals such as foxes was banned in 2004. Hunts still happen, but it is now referred to as Trail hunting, where a scent is laid for the dogs to follow. For me, this raised questions such as what is used to create the scent and how it is produced.
The second path I refer to is the case that there is illegal hunting, but it is really for “sport” rather than getting food for the table.
All the best
Bill
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