Experiencing North American Bears in post-medieval Britain

• Main Author: O'Regan, Hannah
• Other Authors: Lapham, Heather A., Waselkov, Gregory A.
• Format: Book Part
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Hudson Bay; Hudson; Bearskin
• Online Access: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2116114

North American bears have had cultural significance outside the United States. This chapter explores the role of black, brown and polar bears in Britain, focussing on the period following the founding of the Hudson Bay Company in the late 1600s. Both live bears for exhibition, and their products (particularly skins) are considered. The most culturally significant bearskin artefact is the bearskin cap - worn by the guards of Buckingham Palace - and their history is explored here. Key exhibited animals include an ancient grizzly bear called ‘Old Martin’, who was one of the last members of the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London and one of the earliest inhabitants of London Zoo, and ‘Winnie’ the Canadian black bear who was the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh.