The Fox Hunt

The origin of the modern fox hunt we see at Downton dates to the eighteenth century, when the aristocrat Hugo Meynell, a country landowner, bred a hound of remarkable speed, stamina, and scenting powers that could successfully pursue the quick and wily fox. He then combined his new hounds with horses and his fellow aristocrats and an upper-class sport was born. The hounds chased the foxes, and the party had to try and keep up with them, facing the many obstacles the British countryside brings: hedges, fences, stone walls, and streams. For example, in season 1, episode 3, we see Lady Mary and Mr. Pamuk going over a fence and through water. The real sport was to know your horse and to master the rough and often dangerous terrain, not the killing of the fox.