Spencer Endorses ‘Misrule in Ireland’

Daily Telegraph & Courier (London) – Thursday 24 February 1898

In 1898 The Daily Telegraph & Courier recalled that ‘Lord Spencer, during his arduous period of office, as Viceroy of the distressful country, has left it upon record that many a time he was saved from collapsing by a gallop with the Meath, or the Ward Union Staghounds.   It is also related of the noble Earl that one occasion he asked the name given to a mare, bred from Irish Statesman. “Home Rule”, was the reply. “And not at all a good name either,” said Lord Spencer; “no Irish statesman would have anything to do with Home Rule.”   The owner having pondered over the matter, subsequently announced that the name had been changed to Misrule, which the Earl considered much more appropriate.’ 

Spencer went on to support William Gladstone over Irish Home Rule and would, presumably, have been happy to see the name of the horse changed back.

Picture Empress Sisi in Ireland with the Meath Hunt

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