In the history of the British Isles, foxes have played a more intricate role than what is remembered today. Much like the way Professor Katsutaka Hojo explores Japan’s forgotten fur industry, as detailed in a previous article, we must examine the UK’s history to uncover the story of the different types of foxes that once roamed our lands. From their part in the global fur trade to their place in elite institutions, the British fox has been subjected to both reverence and exploitation, with much of its historical significance gradually erased from our collective memory. This article will explore cultural amnesia in the UK regarding foxes, revealing the forgotten types of foxes, the role of the British Isles in the fur trade, and how foxes were both commodified and kept as symbols of status and power.
Forgotten Foxes of the British Isles
In historical accounts, British foxes were categorised into different types—often referred to as the "cur," "greyhound," and "mastiff" foxes. These labels represented distinctions in size, agility, and behaviour. The "greyhound fox," in particular, was thought to be a swift and slender variant, likely adapted to the rugged terrain of Britain's more mountainous regions. Some speculate that the extinction of the greyhound fox marked the loss of a unique subspecies, similar to what we might find today in regions like the Canadian Rockies, Himalaya's, Russia, Karelia, Scandinavia, and the Nordic regions.
Over time, these distinctions blurred, and today, these once-known types of foxes have been forgotten. The greyhound fox, which might have been Britain’s equivalent to the mountain fox, has vanished from our landscapes and memory, leaving behind only a shadow in folklore and fragmented accounts.
Foxes in Folklore and Their Commodification
Foxes have long been embedded in British folklore, where they were often portrayed as cunning, wily figures capable of outsmarting humans. Stories like "Reynard the Fox" illustrated their intelligence and adaptability, characteristics that have allowed foxes to survive in both rural and urban environments. These folkloric representations positioned foxes as important cultural figures, embodying a complex blend of admiration and fear.
However, as the UK transitioned from an agricultural to an industrial and then post-industrial society, the symbolic significance of foxes diminished. Today, foxes are more often viewed as nuisances in urban settings, where they are seen rummaging through bins or making their presence known in suburban gardens. This commodification of foxes as urban pests has overshadowed their cultural and ecological importance, further contributing to the collective forgetting of their historical roles.
Britain’s Role in the Global Fur Trade
Though often associated with North America, the fur trade in Britain was once a major economic driver. The British Isles were considered a fur capital of the world, with pelts traded across Europe and beyond. In the early 20th century, silver foxes were imported and farmed for their luxurious pelts, which were highly sought after by the fashion elite. London fur markets were central to the global fur trade, making Britain a key player in the international economy of animal skins.
However, the rise of anti-fur campaigns in the latter half of the 20th century has obscured the public’s awareness of this period in British history. The country’s role in fur farming and the extensive trade of fox pelts are aspects largely missing from modern accounts, leaving a gap in the story of our economic and environmental past.
The Rise and Fall of Fur Farms
During the peak of the fur industry, Britain was home to numerous fur farms, many of which specialised in breeding silver foxes for their valuable fur. Techniques developed in Canada and Russia made their way to British farms, where silver foxes were bred in captivity to supply the growing demand for luxury fur garments.
Despite the prominence of these farms in Britain’s rural and economic landscapes, they have faded from the public’s memory. The decline of fur farming, driven by changing attitudes toward animal welfare and international trade, has resulted in the near-total disappearance of any public awareness about this once-significant industry. As a result, the story of fox farming in Britain, like in Japan, has become a casualty of cultural amnesia.
Foxes as Pets and Status Symbols
Historically, foxes were more than just animals hunted for sport or fur—they were also kept as exotic pets, often by Britain’s elite. During the height of the fur trade, it was not uncommon for silver foxes to be kept as fashionable companions, a testament to wealth and status. Even further back, foxes played a role in heraldry and were symbols of cunning and nobility, often associated with the founding of important institutions and families.
Foxes featured prominently in the coats of arms of certain noble houses, their image used to reflect power, stealth, and the ability to outwit opponents. However, much of this history has been lost over time, as modern perceptions of foxes have been shaped more by pest control debates than by their historical significance.
Recalling Our Forgotten Past
As we examine the history of the British fox, it becomes clear that much of its story has been forgotten. From the extinction of unique subspecies like the greyhound fox to the erasure of Britain’s fur trade and fox farms from collective memory, the story of the fox is one of cultural amnesia. By revisiting these forgotten chapters of British history, we not only acknowledge the role that animals like the fox played in our development but also confront the ways in which society chooses to remember—or forget—its past.
The forgotten types of foxes, the once-thriving fur industry, and the domestication of foxes for status and symbolism offer a deeper understanding of how foxes were interwoven with British society. As we reconstruct this lost history, we open the door to a more nuanced, inclusive understanding of Britain’s cultural heritage.
