ABSTRACT
Henry VIII provided livery for the men involved in the stable and the king's hunts. Under the direction of the master of the horse, the royal stables provided the horses needed during the military campaigns and social unrest. The master of the horse was one of the three leading offices within the household, and the most important when the king was out of doors. The leash was the king's hunts and unlike the buckhounds its staffing was consistent throughout the reign. Not withstanding the increasing use of handguns, bows, longbows and crossbows remained popular for hunting. Not everyone retained by the king for the hunt benefited from issues of clothing from the great wardrobe. The provision was made in Henry VIII's great wardrobe accounts. In the closing years of his reign Henry VIII had a pet ape. The toils were important throughout Henry's reign.
