"Sword In Stone" Field Sports

T.H. White, the author of "The Sword In the Stone" and "The Once and Future King" was a gifted naturalist and field sport enthusiast whose writings are sprinkled with insights into hawks, hounds, horses and dogs.

What is not widely known is that White's first two book were titled "Gone to Ground and "Earth Stopped" -- terms lifted straight from the world of fox hunting and terrier work.

The trenches and "fox hole" shelters of World War I supplied White with a metaphor and literary setup. "Earth Stopped" was White's first book, published in 1934.



"Gone to Ground," White's second book, was published in 1935, and is subtitled "A Sporting Decameron." Like the first book, White's second book is the story of a hunting party that is surprised by the Final War, and takes refuge in a subterranean cave. To pass the time, members of the group tell each other stories which can best be described as hybrids between ghost stories and hunting and fishing tales. One story, for example, is about a hunt for a werewolf, and another is about a young lady who hunts one of her admirers with hounds, while a third is about a man who manages to hook a mermaid.

Unfortunately, both of T.H. White's first two books are out of print and are available only as First Editions for around $100 or more if you are lucky enough to find a copy in any condition.

Other books by TH White include "The Goshawk" and "The Book of Beasts" -- a translation of a 12th Century bestiary.

In "The Sword in the Stone," one of White's many books dealing with the Arthurian legend, young Arthur is transformed into a badger by Merlyn, who sends him off to talk to another badger who is very wise.

In "The Once and Future King," the greatest Arthurian tale ever told, the death of the hound Beaumont during the boar hunting section captures perfectly the love of the houndsman, Twyti, for his dying dog, Beaumont. None other than Robin Hood puts the dog out of its misery after its back is broken by the boar. If you have not read this book, it is a guaranteed good read and is available in any book store more than 50 years after publication -- a mark of its literary staying power.