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"Royal Farmers"
by Ralph Whitlock
A book published by Michael Joseph Ltd, London, 1980 (256 pages, ISBN 0718117522)
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Ralph Whitlock was a writer and broadcaster, an authority on British Farming, who died in 1995. In his book, "Royal Farmers", he provides a history of the farming activities of leading members of British royalty. Whitlock's research included an examination of the Royal Archives at Windsor, personal visits to the various royal estates, and assistance from the current royal family.
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In the 1890 Irish Kerry and Dexter Herd Book, Queen Victoria is listed as owner of the Dexter bulls, Knight of Kerry (Herdbook Number 9) and Rioter (No.19), as well as of the Dexter cows, Dinah (No. 73), Milkmaid (No. 140) and Topsy (No. 197), all being located at The Prince Consort's Shaw Farm, Windsor. The following is material from Whitlock's "Royal Farmers" related to Shaw Farm and the Prince Consort, and a brief mention of Queen Victoria's farming at this period.
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From Chapter 3: The Prince Consort
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Albert, who became husband of Queen Victoria in 1840, was known as the Prince Consort. He was a "keen and enlightened farmer" (page 65) and active in farming organisations. In 1841, he was elected an honorary member of the Highland and Agricultural Society, the oldest of Britain's national agricultural societies, and in 1844 he became a subscriber to the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland, exhibiting at its first annual show (page 67). In 1861, he was elected President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (Queen Victoria had bestowed the "Royal" title on the Society in 1840). He exhibited cattle regularly, and promoted livestock improvement as well as the mechanisation of agriculture, testing innovations on the royal farms (pages 65 and 68). In 1849, Albert took over the tenancy of Shaw and Home Farms at Windsor, immediately initiating improvements there (page 68).
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Shaw Farm comprised of about 300 acres, with Home Farm consisting of 540 acres, both located adjacent to Windsor Castle (pages 74-75). Albert operated them as interlocking units, running cattle (especially Dairy Shorthorns and Alderneys), sheep, pigs and horses. He built a magnificent dairy which included standings for 60 cows facing each other in a double row, with ingenious provisions for watering and feeding them (pages 76-78).
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After Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria continued his policies with few changes. "In particular the herds of pedigree cattle achieved new standards of excellence under able management" (page 82).
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In the 1890 Irish Kerry and Dexter Herd Book, the then Prince of Wales is recorded as owner of the Dexter bull Moonlighter (No. 16) and of the Dexter cows, Arum (No. 22), Savoy (No. 186) and Thyme (No. 194), all located at Sandringham. The following is material from Whitlock's "Royal Farmers" concerning Sandringham, the Prince, and the Prince's herd.
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From Chapter 5: Sandringham
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Sandringham was bought by Queen Victoria in 1862 as a country estate and retreat for her eldest son, Albert-Edward, Prince of Wales, who was then 20 years of age (page 133). In March 1863, Albert-Edward was married and set up his new family home at Sandringham. A new set of farm buildings were constructed, and the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, developed a passion for stock-breeding (page 135). "He continued the practice begun by his father at the other royal farms, of establishing flocks and herds of the best stock attainable and exhibiting animals in the competition classes of leading agricultural shows" (page 135).
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Albert-Edward developed a Shorthorn herd, the most popular breed in England, a Scottish Highland herd, and a Dexter-Kerry herd, "the typical cattle of Ireland" (page 135). "The Dexter-Kerry herd was founded in 1887, at the express command of the Prince of Wales, with imports from Ireland and for many years exhibited award-winning entries at breed and fatstock shows. Dexter and a few Jersey cows supplied milk and cream to the royal household at Sandringham" (page 135). The Dexter-Kerry herd were replaced by Lincoln Red Shorthorns in 1915, "probably because of the wartime demand for large dual-purpose cattle" (page 139). [Below is a photo, from another source, of one of the Prince of Wales' Dexter steers.]
:
"Royal Farmers"
by Ralph Whitlock
A book published by Michael Joseph Ltd, London, 1980 (256 pages, ISBN 0718117522)
:
Ralph Whitlock was a writer and broadcaster, an authority on British Farming, who died in 1995. In his book, "Royal Farmers", he provides a history of the farming activities of leading members of British royalty. Whitlock's research included an examination of the Royal Archives at Windsor, personal visits to the various royal estates, and assistance from the current royal family.
:
In the 1890 Irish Kerry and Dexter Herd Book, Queen Victoria is listed as owner of the Dexter bulls, Knight of Kerry (Herdbook Number 9) and Rioter (No.19), as well as of the Dexter cows, Dinah (No. 73), Milkmaid (No. 140) and Topsy (No. 197), all being located at The Prince Consort's Shaw Farm, Windsor. The following is material from Whitlock's "Royal Farmers" related to Shaw Farm and the Prince Consort, and a brief mention of Queen Victoria's farming at this period.
:
From Chapter 3: The Prince Consort
:
Albert, who became husband of Queen Victoria in 1840, was known as the Prince Consort. He was a "keen and enlightened farmer" (page 65) and active in farming organisations. In 1841, he was elected an honorary member of the Highland and Agricultural Society, the oldest of Britain's national agricultural societies, and in 1844 he became a subscriber to the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland, exhibiting at its first annual show (page 67). In 1861, he was elected President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (Queen Victoria had bestowed the "Royal" title on the Society in 1840). He exhibited cattle regularly, and promoted livestock improvement as well as the mechanisation of agriculture, testing innovations on the royal farms (pages 65 and 68). In 1849, Albert took over the tenancy of Shaw and Home Farms at Windsor, immediately initiating improvements there (page 68).
:
Shaw Farm comprised of about 300 acres, with Home Farm consisting of 540 acres, both located adjacent to Windsor Castle (pages 74-75). Albert operated them as interlocking units, running cattle (especially Dairy Shorthorns and Alderneys), sheep, pigs and horses. He built a magnificent dairy which included standings for 60 cows facing each other in a double row, with ingenious provisions for watering and feeding them (pages 76-78).
:
After Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria continued his policies with few changes. "In particular the herds of pedigree cattle achieved new standards of excellence under able management" (page 82).
:
***** ***** *****
:
In the 1890 Irish Kerry and Dexter Herd Book, the then Prince of Wales is recorded as owner of the Dexter bull Moonlighter (No. 16) and of the Dexter cows, Arum (No. 22), Savoy (No. 186) and Thyme (No. 194), all located at Sandringham. The following is material from Whitlock's "Royal Farmers" concerning Sandringham, the Prince, and the Prince's herd.
:
From Chapter 5: Sandringham
:
Sandringham was bought by Queen Victoria in 1862 as a country estate and retreat for her eldest son, Albert-Edward, Prince of Wales, who was then 20 years of age (page 133). In March 1863, Albert-Edward was married and set up his new family home at Sandringham. A new set of farm buildings were constructed, and the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, developed a passion for stock-breeding (page 135). "He continued the practice begun by his father at the other royal farms, of establishing flocks and herds of the best stock attainable and exhibiting animals in the competition classes of leading agricultural shows" (page 135).
:
Albert-Edward developed a Shorthorn herd, the most popular breed in England, a Scottish Highland herd, and a Dexter-Kerry herd, "the typical cattle of Ireland" (page 135). "The Dexter-Kerry herd was founded in 1887, at the express command of the Prince of Wales, with imports from Ireland and for many years exhibited award-winning entries at breed and fatstock shows. Dexter and a few Jersey cows supplied milk and cream to the royal household at Sandringham" (page 135). The Dexter-Kerry herd were replaced by Lincoln Red Shorthorns in 1915, "probably because of the wartime demand for large dual-purpose cattle" (page 139). [Below is a photo, from another source, of one of the Prince of Wales' Dexter steers.]
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Dexter steer bred and exhibited by the Prince of Wales (in late 19th century??) (From Ted Neal's "The Life and Times of Dexters", page 14).
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As Prince of Wales, Edward-Albert was active in the Royal Agricultural Society, being elected President in 1868-69, 1878-79, 1885-86, 1889-90, and 1900-01 [He was President of the UK Dexter Cattle Society in 1901-02.] He often attended RAS Council meetings and took part in discussions (page 136). Even after ascending the throne, King Edward always took a close interest in the livestock at the Sandringham farm, keeping himself fully informed about the herds.
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