Guest Author - Yvonne Hamilton

Dogs have always been an important part of human existence. The renaissance was no exception. Tales from the renaissance that include dogs stretch the continent over. Kitchen dogs, hunting hounds, and foot warmers only ice the cake.

A secret in the large kitchen, cooks would employ a Turnspit Dog. This squatty, long haired, almost Chihuahua like dog would run in a circular cage like a hamster. Running in the cage helped the meat turn on the spit. This aided the cook by not having to baby-sit the meat while cooking it evenly.

Because central heat and air was still several centuries in the making dogs earned their keep as heaters. Often small dogs were taken to church and other gatherings where it would be cold and the owner would be seated. These dogs, often owned by the rich, were expected to lie on the floor at the owner’s feet to keep them warm in the damp and cold winters of Europe.

Gifts were also a duty of the renaissance era dog. The owner loyal, stubborn and energetic Italian Pointer was a popular present from Italian members of court to prominent courtiers of other European countries.

The Italian Pointer shared the hunting spot light with the Greyhound, Alaunt, Mastive, and Lymer. Greyhounds were a favorite hunting dog of Queen Elizabeth I. Hunting with dogs was so popular in the renaissance that Queen Elizabeth had rules drawn up for two greyhounds chasing a hare in competition.

Not all dogs were around for hard labor or sport. Queen Mary of Scotts is said to have discovered a fondness of dogs from the early age of five. She often went out with her hunting dogs and kept small lap dogs. In the closing chapter of her life Queen Mary had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Mary Stuart was executed on February 8, 1587 at Fotheringhay Castle. The tales of her beheading are gory and unpleasant especially in regards to her faithful dog. Despite such, the accounts and carvings spread like wild fire over England. Robert Wynkfielde writes in his account of the beheading “Then one of the executioners, pulling off her garters, espied her little dog which was crept under her clothes, which could not be gotten forth but by force, yet afterward would not depart from the dead corpse, but came and lay between her head and her shoulders, which being imbrued with her blood was carried away and washed." Most accountings after the beheading conclude that the heart broken little dog died grief stricken two days later.

Many other Royals of the time kept favored dog breeds. The curly, white Bolognese were a favorite of the Italian Medici family in the Renaissance. The Bichon Frisé was created by cross breeding Maltese with other small dogs including poodles in Italy and was the favorite breed of King Henry the III.






Dog Works a Kitchen Turnspit Above a Fire

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