The hunting dresses, as they appeared at the commencement of the fifteenth century, are given from a manuscript of that time, in the Harleian Collection.[161] [Illustration: 5. HUNTING DRESSES.--XV. CENTURY.] XII.--PRIVILEGES OF THE CITIZENS OF LONDON TO HUNT AND HAWK. The citizens of London were permitted to hunt and hawk in certain districts. And one of the clauses, in the royal charter granted to them by Henry I., runs to this purport: "The citizens of London may have chases, and hunt as well, and as fully, as their ancestors have had; that is to say, in the Chiltre, in Middlesex, and Surry."[162] Hence we find, that these privileges were of ancient standing. They were also confirmed by the succeeding charters. Fitzstephen, who wrote towards the close of the reign of Henry II., says, that the Londoners delight themselves with hawks and hounds, for they have the liberty of hunting in Middlesex, Hertfordshire, all Chilton, and in Kent to the waters of Grey,[163] which differs somewhat from the statement in the charter. These exercises were not much followed by the citizens of London at the close of the sixteenth century, not for want of taste for the amusement, says Stow, but for leisure to pursue it.[164] Strype, however, so late as the reign of George I., reckons among the modern amusements of the Londoners, "Riding on horseback and hunting with my Lord Mayor's hounds, when the common-hunt goes out." This common-hunt of the citizens is ridiculed in an old ballad called the "London Customs," published in D'Urfey's Collection,[165] I shall select the three following stanzas only. Next once a year into Essex a hunting they go; To see 'em pass along, O 'tis a most pretty shew; Through Cheapside and Fenchurch-street, and so to Aldgate pump, Each man with 's spurs in's horses sides, and his back-sword cross his rump. My lord he takes a staff in hand to beat the bushes o'er; I must confess it was a work he ne'er had done before. A creature bounceth from a bush, which made them all to laugh; My lord, he cried, a hare a hare, but it prov'd an Essex calf. And when they had done their sport, they came to London where they dwell, Their faces all so torn and scratch'd, their wives scarce knew them well; For 'twas a very great mercy, so many 'scap'd alive, For of twenty saddles carried out, they brought again but five. Privileges to hunt in certain districts, were frequently granted to individuals either from favour, or as a reward for their services. Richard I. gave to Henry de Grey, of Codnor, the manor of Turroe, in Essex, with permission to hunt the hare and the fox, in any lands belonging to the crown, excepting only the king's own demesne parks; and this special mark of the royal favour was confirmed by his brother John, when he succeeded to the throne.[166]