Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the systems of recognition of deer within the deer park, and how such recognitions transforms the interactions, the geography and behaviours beyond the deer themselves.

Paper long abstract:

This paper will discuss the role of tracking, classifying and perceiving deer has had in the deer parks of the United Kingdom. For the last millennia, fallow deer have been maintained in such emparkments, but have not always been apparent nor necessarily even recognised as deer. Instead rather than their presence and the ability to hunt them, the sovereignty granted over an area through denying the movement of deer seems to have been a driving force in the creation of these structures. In successfully maintaining a "natural balance" within the park, the continuity of the deer would also allow the continuity of the heritage of the family that held it. As such not only did these structures act to create a trap for the deer, but for the family and later "heritage" also; maintaining a natural balance of deer ensured the continuity of the personage and park itself.

This natural balance therefore would be maintained, and also espoused to demonstrate proper conduct; and in this vision of nature, all that was deemed unsuitable requires cleansing. Yet in identifying and removing threats and predation to the deer, it would seem that the remaining humans would become entrusted with recreating the effects of the predation that they removed. This paper will argue that it is through the tracking and perception of deer, but also within the unanticipated effects of such efforts, that a commensurate continuity would be achieved throughout the park.