Shooting for Victory: Trends in game bag data at Brodsworth Estate during the First World War

摘要

The Brodsworth Estate (SE505070) is situated on the Magnesian Limestone ridge five miles north west of Doncaster, South Yorkshire and includes parts of the adjacent districts of Adwick le Street (SE5408), Bilham (SE4806), Hampole (SE5010) and Marr (SE5105). During its ownership by the Thellusson family, the rural holdings of the estate were managed by a staff of keepers in a series of 14 shooting beats. The esteem of a shooting estate was judged by the numbers and variety of the game 'bagged', the enjoyment of the terrain and companionship/rivalry of the participants. Shoots were highly organised affairs; akin to military operations, indeed high ranking military officers frequently attended as guests. The Brodsworth Estate shooting parties were significant social events for family members, their guests and neighbouring landowners (see Table 1). Participants signed in to the game book, the name of the beat to be worked was recorded and the numbers of each species of game bird or mammals were meticulously totalled.