The Diary of Master William Silence, 1907 - Dodgson Hamilton Madden

Excerpt from The Diary of Master William Silence, 1907: A Study of Shakespeare of Elizabethan Sport
In bringing out a new and less costly issue of this work, I have sacrificed somewhat of the comeliness of the former edition in order to render it accessible to a larger number of students of Shakespeare.
Some additions have been made to the notes. Frequent references will be found to the Master of Game, the earliest English treatise on the art of venery, which remained in MS. until the year 1904, when it was printed with a version in modem English by Mr. and Mrs. Baillie-Grohman. The notes to this sumptuous volume are a mine of learning, the richness of which can best he estimated by those who have been compelled to delve elsewhere in search of information on old-world sport.
The treatise has a twofold association with the work of Shakespeare. The author has been made known to us in two plays, Richard II. and Henry V. Ho was Edward Plantagenet, second Duke of York, grandson of John of Gaunt. He was appointed Master of Game by Henry IY. in the year 1406, and his work is dedicated to one after Shakespeare's own heart: ' young Harry/ skilled not only to 'witch the world -with noble horsemanship/ but to sit in judgment upon a ' book of sport.' For to his 'noble and wise correccions' the Master of Game submits his 'litel symple book.' A short notice of this work, and of its author, in connection with Shakespeare, has been added to the note entitled The Book of Sport (p. 366).
If the ancient sport of falconry has been presented in these pages with any degree of faithfulness, this is due to the writings of Mr. J. E. Harting. To the acknowledgment of indebtedness already made, I have to add an expression of gratitude for his personal aid in the revision of the present edition. The falconry which passes muster with Mr. Harting may safely be accepted as orthodox.
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