The Legacy of John Aubrey: Great Bustards, Wiltshire's Flag, and VCH Volume XX

In 1656, as England emerged from civil war and embraced new ways of understanding the world, the antiquarian, biographer, and Chippenham son, John Aubrey, began the first systematic survey of an English county's natural world. The work, ostensibly a survey of the natural phenomena of Wiltshire, was created over three decades but was unpublished in his lifetime. Like Aubrey's topographical survey of north Wiltshire, this manuscript was a major source for Wiltshire VCH's forthcoming volume on Chippenham and the surrounding area. And akin to his topographical survey, an edited version of Aubrey's Wiltshire natural history was published during the mid-19th century. However, the editor of the natural history, John Britton, took liberties with the text, such as by omitting an entire chapter where Aubrey theorised about early earth history. Here, Aubrey postulated, amongst other things, that the earth was older than believed and certain species had become extinct throughout history, but such beliefs questioned the teachings of Genesis and made it problematic to publish despite several hundred years elapsing since its creation. And, even within the content Britton published on Wiltshire, it was often edited or abbreviated, while other interesting local content was omitted. One of these truncated sections concerned a bird, the Great Bustard.

Today, the Great Bustard adorns Wiltshire's flag. It has the distinction of being the heaviest flying bird in the world, and for being sexually dimorphic (the males are up to five times heavier than females). It is also unique looking. According to the Great Bustard Group, the bird is ‘huge, heavily built and robust, but stately in appearance, adult male bustards can be identified by their bulging neck, heavy chest and characteristically cocked tail. Their shape is similar to a large goose, but the Bustard is much larger with considerably longer legs and a straighter neck.’ It was hunted to extinction in the county during the 19th century, but the group are seeking to restore the species and has released birds in three different sites across Wiltshire.

In the 17th century, Aubrey observed that the Bustard was present on Salisbury Plain, particularly around Stonehenge. It was also seen in fields at Lavington, but rarely so at Broad Chalke, where Aubrey owned an estate. In John Britton's version of the natural history Aubrey stops here, but in the manuscript version of the text at the Royal Society, Aubrey made other observations. The Bustard Aubrey recognised to be part of the Ostrich ‘family’, and he wondered whether ‘if they [Bustards] doe sitt on their Egges’, given the Ostrich did not. It is also worth recalling that his mention of species in families was made a century before Carl Linnaeus sought to classify the natural world. In his observations, Aubrey was informed by several correspondents, including Wyld Clarke, a merchant who had spent years living and working in north Africa. Aubrey tried to base his scientific deductions on evidence, whether this was personal knowledge and record, experimentation or the observations of others, including the most eminent minds of his day, Christopher Wren, Robert Hooke, Robert Boyle and many more. But, Aubrey did not take the observations of others at face value. An individual, seemingly an expert in game birds, informed Aubrey that female Bustards had no more than two eggs but 'she has more egges within her, he saies; which he did believe was her nourishment.' Aubrey observed 'if it be true; tis considerable', but was not convinced adding (diplomatically, perhaps) in Latin that he hardly believed it.

The Great Bustard, now emblazoned on Wiltshire's flag, serves perhaps as a symbol of both the county's natural heritage and Aubrey's scientific legacy. In his natural history manuscript, Aubrey's scientific method went beyond description. He questioned, compared, and sought verification. This approach represented a pivotal shift from accepting received wisdom to demanding empirical evidence.

In 2026, as part of the celebrations marking the publication of Wiltshire VCH volume XX, we also celebrate the 400th anniversary of Aubrey's birth by supporting an exhibition with Chippenham Museum that will highlight Aubrey's scientific contribution. VCH contributor, Louise Ryland-Epton, is also publishing his Wiltshire natural history in full for the first time. Visitors will discover how Aubrey continues to influence the understanding of local history, science, and conservation, something which is reflected in our volume.

For further information on the Great Bustard, please visit Great Bustard Group