Deer oh deer!

So some 400,000 years ago, whilst elephants were roaming our forests, rhinos wandering through our flatlands and hippos wallowing in our swamps, you might be surprised to learn that some of our present-day creatures were roaming the countryside grazing at will - the ancient and noble deer.

Back then there were three native species, the red, the fallow and the roe. It is believed the fallow deer died out during the last ice age, although it was reintroduced by the Normans in the 1400s.

Three cheers for the king

At one time deer were hunted by everyone. They were extremely useful providing meat to eat, skin to wear and antlers with which to make tools.

But in Saxon times, King Canute declared deer under "royal protection". This meant that commoners could not hunt them - only the royal family and their lords! I know this sounds a bit selfish, but it did save the deer from becoming extinct.

Bad luck for the king

A deer was responsible for the death of King William II. Whilst out hunting, a man from his group took aim at a stag. Unfortunately, the arrow missed, bounced off an oak tree and killed the king. So much for royal protection!

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