Walter Palmer, Lion Killer, and Edward, Prince of Wales

So the world stands aghast at Walter Palmer, a dentist from Minnesota who shot and left a lion to a slow and painful death. 

But Walter is not alone in deriving enjoyment from brutalising innocent, helpless victims like Cecil.  And at least Walter stood on his own two feet and put some energy into the kill.

Unlike the future King of England, then Edward, Prince of Wales who visited Chillingham Castle in Northumberland in 1872, at which time it was announced the Prince would commemorate his visit by killing the king bull of Chillingham’s celebrated herd. 

But unlike Walter who probably squared up to his victim, Edward lay covered in hay in a cart carrying food for the herd, waiting for helpers to bring the bull just close enough for Edward to commit the evil deed without breaking cover and risk being injured himself. 

At least Walter’s lion had some chance to retaliate and hopefully kill or disable his attacker.  And, yes, I am being sarcastic: cowardly Walter’s actions were inexcusable, though not quite so despicable as those of the future King of England.

An article in The Monthly Chronicle of North-Country Lore and Legend, published in 1889, tells us: ‘The plan, no doubt, was in accordance with courtly notions of safety, and was eminently calculated to secure the object in view; but it was scarcely a feat to warrant any unusual jubilation.  .....  A few hours after the tragedy, the carcase was brought from the scene of slaughter, and carefully deposited on the castle lawn.  The photographer was ready, the Prince not unwilling, and the result as shown in our sketch.’

That sketch is here for all to see: