Blackmoor Forest, at the spring of the Froome, was once called the
Forest of White Hart, and at that time the seat of royalty, and greatly
preferred by our kings, on account of the deer with which it abounded.
King Henry III., with a mighty train of hunters, having one day entered
on the chase in this neighbourhood, roused a milk-white hart. The
creature afforded his Majesty so much sport, that at the pulling down,
it was the royal pleasure to save the beast, and place round his neck a
collar of brass, on which was engraved,
"I am a royal hart, let no one harm me."
But the king and his retinue having run over and spoiled the lands of a
gentleman of the county, named _Thomas de la Linde_, and refusing, upon
remonstrance, to make good the injury, _De la Linde_ imprudently
resolved to spite King Henry; when, joining with others, he hunted the
white hart, and having run it down, foolishly took the life of the
king's favourite; and making merry over its haunches, was heard in his
cups to utter many disrespectful speeches towards his sovereign, which
were conveyed to Henry, who presently convinced _De la Linde_ of his
presumption, and so highly resented the indignity, that he made every one
concerned in the death of the noble animal pay into his exchequer an
annual fine, called "White Hart Silver," which was not remitted during
the reign of that monarch. This is also the origin of the White Hart
for a sign at the different inns and houses of entertainment throughout
England.