Coursing in the SCA
Get the bag!
That is what the hounds are trying to do. The SCA does not use a live lure. The hounds chase a plastic bag that is attached to a string run through a series of pullies. The string is attached to a drive unit, either a hand crank or electric motor.
Most hounds, like Desert Drum to the right, wear a muzzle while coursing. They wear it for their own safety. Some hounds, in their quest for the lure, can accidently catch the line in their mouth, which would cut them. Some hounds have been known to hit or even attack the pullies. The muzzle helps to prevent injury.
Many breeds are eligible for coursing, in some Kingdoms any breed is eligible as long as it follows the lure. A very popular breed is the Greyhound, since so many that retired from the track are available for adoption.
If you are interested in getting involved with hound coursing, you will need to contact your Kingdom's Houndsmaster (some Kingdoms use other titles). There is a list below. If you have trouble locating yours, you can contact the webminister. |
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The History of Coursing
The "greyhound" type of hound has been in existance since Egyptian times, and several regions have their own breed.
Sight hounds have long been used for hunting. Many kinds of prey were hunted with sight hounds, including bear, deer, and the hare.
Hunting the hare led to coursing, where servents would beat the bushes in hopes to flush a hare. Then the hounds would be released after the hare and were judged on how well they coursed. Catching the hare was not the ultimate goal. It was hoped that a good hare would escape and pass along its traits to the next generation of hares.
Queen Elizabeth I had Thomas, Duke of Norfolk write up the first set of rules for competitive coursing, thus formalizing the sport. This would eventually lead to the dog tracks of today.
For More Information
If you know your Kingdom, you can use this list of the Kingdom Houndsmasters/mistresses to aid you in your search.
AEthelmearc = Lady Katla Ulfhednar, Houndmistress
An Tir = Honorable Lady Amberly, Houndsmistress
Ansteorra = Mistress Elizabeth Curry (OL), Houndsmistress
Artemisia = Lady Aine MacCullen, Regent of Hounds
Atlantia = Maire inghean Dhunchain mhic Oisdealbhaigh, Deputy Earl Marshal of the Hound
Caid = Lady Christiaen de Groote
Calontir = Rowan of Three Rivers, Houndskeeper
Ealdormere = Lady Alana Greywood, Houndsmistress
East = Sunnifa Heinreksdottir, Houndsmistress
Gleann Abhann = Mistress Rebecca with the Greyhound, (OL), Houndsmistress
Meridies = Mistress Derbail inghean Conchobar, (OL) Houndsmistress
Middle = Lady Lyonette Drouet de Saint Amand, Dean of the Middle Kingdom Coursing College
Trimaris = Honorable Lord Randwulf aet Blacwulveslea, Kingdom Marshal of the Hunt
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