HUNT HISTORY

The Sinnington Hunt dates back to 1680 or thereabouts when it was started by the Duke of Buckingham. He also started the Bilsdale Hunt our northerly neighbour and was Master there from 1668 until his death.

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, was born in London in 1627 and was brought up in the family of Charles I after the murder of his father. He served as a minister in Charles II's inner cabinet

In 1648 during the civil war, as a Cavalier, he fled to Scotland with Charles II and went into exile. During the Commonwealth he secretly returned and married Mary, the daughter of General, Lord Thomas Fairfax which conveniently returned to him his forfeited land. They had no children so the title ended with his death.

The Duke took no part in public life after James II's accession, but returned to his manor of Helmsley here in Ryedale to pursue country sports. He died in the house of a tenant in Kikbymoorside on April 16,1687 from a chill caught while out hunting. It is known as Buckingham House to this day. It has a plaque on its wall relating to his death and it can be located in the town centre.

The Sinnington Hunt continued after his death under varying conditions and was a trencher fed pack until 1891. This means that the hounds resided with individual people and not as a pack in one kennel. They were brought together on meet days to hunt as a pack and in those times, the huntsman and the whipper-in had to provide their own horses out of their meagre wages.

In 1891 Mr R.C.Swan MFH took the pack and for the first time they were housed together in kennels as they are to this day.

The Earl & Countess of Feversham painted in 1936. The Earl was Joint Master at times from 1930 until his death in 1963. The Countess was Joint Master from 1946 until 1985.

                           Opening Meet at Sinnington Village 1951