Also, note that the royal households of Richard II, Elizabeth I, and James I maintained "apewards," so ape skins would very likely have been available in the realm. From the REED volumes: Richard II Apeward in Cambridge 1382-3 Elizabeth I Apeward in Coventry 1577-78 James I Apeward in York 1607 Elza C. Tiner Professor of English School of Humanities and Social Sciences Lynchburg College