The Dukes’ Hounds:

The story of the Charlton Hunt

The very first fox hunt was established in England in 1675 during the reign of King Charles II. The Duke of Monmouth regularly rode with his friend, Lord Grey of Uppark through the forests near the tiny hamlet of Charlton nestled in the South Downs. As he proposed to his father, the king, what better sport could there be, than to ride with friends through the beautiful countryside in pursuit of a fox!

The history of the Charlton Hunt is a fascinating exploration of the the social life of the aristocracy, 18th Century politics and treasonable exploits plus the story the Dukes of Richmond.