More new research from me published this month! β
This is a chapter in the edited volume 'Wolf: Culture, Nature, Heritage' (Boydell Press). My research examines the (vv old!) chancery records of England and found over 200 licences for hunting hares π°β, foxes π¦β, badgers π¦‘β, wildcats (π±β!) and wolves (πΊβ!!!) in 13th and 14th century England. The licences are specific so can be mapped like this!
Free copy available here: https://zenodo.org/record/8173432
@CFoix That is a fair question β - I think the wildcats were likely still doing okay genetically. - they only went extinct in England due to intense pest control in the 18th century. The wolves are harder to pin down - the wolf hunters clearly saw them as wolves not dogs, if that means anything!
@LeafyHistory But how pure were the wolves and wildcats by that time?