Author
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Topic: The Zoo
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Maria Moderator
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posted 07-21-2005 03:14 PM
Because I heard they had a zoo at the Tower of London(and because I saw a real zebra for the first time in my life today). So I wonder, did rich noblemen keep pets? Did they keep wild animals? Are there castles with zoos, or room for animals? |
bent one Senior Member
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posted 07-21-2005 10:22 PM
you saw a zebra for the first time today!? congratulations! I don't know whether or not that nobles collected animals. I know that they had pets like we do though. like dogs,I love dogs : ) |
Paul unregistered
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posted 07-22-2005 06:47 AM
A Royal Menagerie was established at the Tower in the 13th century, possibly as early as 1204 in the reign of King John, and possibly stocked with animals from an earlier menagerie started in 1125 by Henry I at his palace in Woodstock, near Oxford. Its year of origin is often stated as 1235, when Henry III received a wedding gift of three leopards (so recorded, although they may have been lions) from Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor. In 1264 it was moved to the Bulwark, which was duly renamed the Lion Tower, near the main western entrance. It was opened as an occasional public spectacle in the reign of Elizabeth I. By 1804 the menagerie was regularly open to the public. This was where William Blake saw the tiger that inspired his poem. The menagerie's last director, Alfred Cops, who took over in 1822, found the collection in a dismal state, but restocked it and issued an illustrated scientific catalogue. Unfortunately for him, the menagerie was not to last. The new London Zoo was due to open in Regent's Park and, partly for commercial reasons and partly for animal welfare, the animals were moved to the zoo. The last of the animals left in 1835, and most of the Lion Tower was demolished soon after, although Lion Gate remains. |
Peter Member
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posted 07-22-2005 02:29 PM
Pretty sure we had this topic about a year or so ago, though I haven't done a search. But it does strike a cord? Peter |
Peter Member
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posted 07-22-2005 02:33 PM
Yep! there was 25 hits of various types regarding animals. Peter |
Merlin Senior Member
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posted 08-08-2005 05:20 AM
http://www.castlesontheweb.com/quest/Forum8/HTML/000113.html This has to be the one that you meant, Peter. | |