What is the primary distinction between the modern understanding of a 'forest' and its medieval definition as a royal forest?

In modern terms, a forest is typically understood as an area of wooded land. However, the original medieval sense of a royal forest was closer to a 'preserve' – land legally designated for specific purposes, such as royal hunting, with less emphasis on its actual tree cover.

What is the Latin term for a royal forest, and what does it signify?

The Latin term for a royal forest is *silva regis*, which translates to 'king's wood' or 'king's forest.' This term highlights the royal ownership and purpose of these designated lands.

What was the principal objective for which royal forests were established in medieval England?

Royal forests were primarily established as hunting areas, reserved exclusively for the monarch or, by invitation, for the aristocracy.

Who is credited with establishing the system of forest law in England, and what was their motivation?

William the Conqueror, who was a keen hunter, established the system of forest law in England. His motivation was to create and protect areas suitable for royal hunting.

How did the concept and application of royal forests differ between Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman period?

In Anglo-Saxon England, monarchs did not establish areas outside the general law of the land, and historians find no evidence of them creating forests. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, however, forest law was widely applied through royal prerogative.

What were the two key elements that forest law was designed to protect?

Forest law was specifically designed to protect the 'venison' and the 'vert.' These terms referred to the game animals and the vegetation that sustained them, respectively.

In the context of forest law, what did the terms 'venison' and 'vert' specifically denote?

'Venison' in this context referred to the noble animals of the chase, such as red and fallow deer, roe deer, and wild boar. 'Vert' referred to the greenery or foliage within the forest that provided sustenance for these animals.

What proportion of Southern England was designated as royal forest at the peak of this practice in the late 12th and early 13th centuries?

At the height of the practice in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, a significant portion of Southern England, fully one-third of its land area, was designated as royal forest.

What was the typical impact on local inhabitants when an area was designated as a royal forest?

When an area was designated as a forest, any villages, towns, or fields within its boundaries also became subject to forest law. This often restricted the land use of local inhabitants, potentially leading to resentment as their traditional livelihoods could be curtailed.

What diverse types of terrain and landscapes were commonly included within royal forests?

Royal forests typically encompassed large areas of heath, grassland, and wetland, in addition to wooded areas. They were often situated in regions that were relatively wild and sparsely populated, making them suitable for hunting and less intensively farmed.

What were the two main classifications of offenses under forest law?

Offenses under forest law were divided into two primary categories: trespass against the 'vert,' which concerned the vegetation of the forest, and trespass against the 'venison,' which related to the game animals.

According to Manwood, which five animals were specifically protected by forest law?

John Manwood identified the five animals of the forest protected by law as the hart and hind (male and female red deer), boar, hare, and wolf.

Beyond the 'beasts of the forest,' what other categories of animals were protected by forest law, and which specific animals did they include?

Forest law also extended protection to the 'beasts of chase,' which included the buck and doe (fallow deer), fox, marten, and roe deer. Additionally, the 'beasts and fowls of warren' were protected, such as the hare, coney (rabbit), pheasant, and partridge.

What restrictions were imposed on forest inhabitants concerning hunting weapons and dogs?

Inhabitants residing within the forest were prohibited from carrying hunting weapons. Dogs were also banned from the forest, with the exception of mastiffs, which were permitted only if their front claws were removed to prevent them from hunting game.

What specific action constituted the offense of 'assarting' within forest law?

Assarting was an offense defined as the act of clearing forest land, typically for the purpose of establishing agriculture or cultivation.

What was the legal implication of the 'bloody hand' offense in forest law?

The 'bloody hand' was a specific type of trespass where an offender found with bloodstained hands or body parts was presumed to have killed a deer, even if they were not caught in the act of hunting or chasing.

What were 'purlieus' in the context of royal forests, and what activities were permitted there?

Purlieus were areas of land situated on the edges of a forest that had been disafforested. Agriculture was permitted in these areas, and deer that escaped from the main forest into the purlieus could be lawfully killed if they caused damage.

What customary rights might local inhabitants possess within the boundaries of a royal forest?

Depending on their location, common inhabitants could hold various rights, including *estover* (the right to take firewood), *pannage* (the right to pasture swine), *turbary* (the right to cut turf for fuel), and other rights related to pasturage (*agistment*) and harvesting forest products.

Who were the principal royal officials responsible for the administration and enforcement of forest law?

The chief royal official was the warden, who oversaw the foresters and under-foresters. Other key officers included the verderers, agisters, surveyors, and regarders, all contributing to the management and legal oversight of the royal forests.

What was the specific role of the verderers within the forest administration system?

Verderers served as justices of the forest and played a crucial role in presiding over forest courts, such as the Court of Attachment, alongside the warden or their deputy.

What responsibilities did the agisters hold within the royal forest structure?

Agisters were tasked with supervising the practices of pannage and agistment within the forest and were responsible for collecting any fees associated with these rights.

What were the different types of courts that operated within the royal forest system, and what was their general purpose?

The royal forests had several types of courts, including the Court of Attachment (or Woodmote), the Court of Regard, the Swainmote, and the Court of Justice-seat (or Eyre). These courts were responsible for enforcing forest laws, regulating activities, and adjudicating offenses.

What was the function of the Court of Attachment, also known as Woodmote?

The Court of Attachment, held every forty days, served as a registry for crimes committed against forest law. Foresters would bring apprehended offenders before this court to have their offenses recorded, though it lacked the authority to try or convict individuals.

How frequently was the Swainmote convened, and what were its main duties?

The Swainmote was held three times annually. Its primary duties included regulating agistment and pannage, and it also served as a venue for trying offenders before a jury composed of freemen of the forest.

Which forest court held the highest authority, and what was its theoretical judicial power?

The Court of Justice-seat, also referred to as the Eyre, was the supreme court within the royal forest system. Theoretically, it was the only court authorized to impose sentences on those who violated forest laws.

What was the significance of Magna Carta concerning the royal forests?

Magna Carta, issued in 1215, included five clauses specifically addressing royal forests. These clauses aimed to curtail and reduce the king's exclusive rights established by forest law, impacting issues like general summonses and the process of disafforestation.

What were the key reforms introduced by the Charter of the Forest in 1217?

The Charter of the Forest, granted after King John's reign, brought significant reforms to forest law. It established rights such as agistment and pannage for private landowners within forests and also worked to curb certain abuses by forest officers.

What was the objective of the Delimitation of Forests Act 1640, also known as Selden's Act?

The Delimitation of Forests Act 1640 was enacted by Parliament to reset the boundaries of royal forests to their extent at the close of King James I's reign, thereby addressing any unauthorized expansions or changes.

How did the application and severity of forest law evolve from William the Conqueror to William Rufus?

While William the Conqueror did not impose excessively harsh penalties, his son William Rufus significantly increased the severity of punishments for forest offenses, introducing penalties such as death and mutilation.

What was the primary role of royal forests by the Tudor period and onwards?

By the Tudor period and subsequent eras, the strict enforcement of forest law had largely diminished. Its primary function shifted to the protection of timber resources within the royal forests.

What policy did James I and his ministers pursue to increase royal revenue from the forests?

James I, advised by ministers like Robert Cecil and Lionel Cranfield, implemented a policy focused on augmenting income from royal forests. This involved investigating underutilized forests and initiating disafforestation processes, including the sale of timber.

What were the 'Western Rising' and 'Skimmington processions' in the context of forest disafforestation?

The disafforestation of royal lands often led to public unrest, including riots and 'Skimmington processions,' particularly in the West Country. These events involved the destruction of enclosures and the reclaiming of common grazing lands by local communities, often artisans and cottagers affected by the changes.

When did the last known significant enforcement of forest law by a Court of Justice-seat occur?

The last recorded instance of a serious exercise of forest law by a Court of Justice-seat (Forest Eyre) took place around 1635, likely as a measure to generate revenue for the Crown.

Which specific royal forest was formally re-established by an Act of Parliament in 1667?

The Forest of Dean was legally re-established in 1668 through the Dean Forest Act 1667.

What is historically significant about Sherwood Forest regarding its age and ecological value?

Sherwood Forest has existed as a forest since the end of the Ice Age, as confirmed by palynological studies. The modern Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve boasts the highest concentration of ancient trees in Europe.

What is the legendary association of Sherwood Forest?

Sherwood Forest is famously associated with the legend of the outlaw Robin Hood, a figure deeply embedded in English folklore.

What is the importance of the Birklands And Bilhaugh area within Sherwood Forest?

Birklands And Bilhaugh, a 1,250-acre section of Sherwood Forest, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is recognized for its ancient oak-birch woodland, the presence of the Major Oak, and its rich diversity of invertebrates linked to old trees.

What was the geographical extent of the Forest of Essex when it was declared a royal forest in the 13th century?

At its peak in the 13th century, the entire county of Essex was designated as a royal forest, indicating a very broad application of forest law across the region.

What was the outcome of the Epping Forest Act 1878?

The Epping Forest Act 1878 led to the disafforestation of Epping Forest and the abolition of forest law concerning it. The Corporation of London was appointed as Conservators to preserve the forest as an open space.

Who are the New Forest Commoners, and what is their significance?

The New Forest is home to the New Forest Commoners, a distinct cultural group whose rights of grazing are often considered more significant than the Crown's rights within the forest.

What was the primary purpose of the New Forest Act 1877?

The New Forest Act 1877 aimed to regulate the Crown's rights to enclose land, formalize common rights, and re-establish the Court of Verderers, thereby managing the forest's unique ecosystem and rights.

What soil and landscape characteristics are typical of forests such as Alice Holt, Woolmer, Bagshot, Bere Forests, and Windsor Forest?

These forests are typically found on sandy, gravelly, and acidic soils, supporting characteristic dry oak and birch woodlands.

What soil and landscape features are commonly associated with forests like Bernwood, Chippenham, Blackmore, Braydon, Gillingham, Selwood, and Wychwood?

These forests are generally situated on Midland clay plains or areas with heavy clay soils, often characterized by dense oak forests.

What type of terrain is typically found in forests such as Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the Peak Forest of Derbyshire?

These forests are typically located in upland moorland regions or on limestone uplands.

What landscape features are characteristic of the North Yorkshire moors and Pickering Forest?

The North Yorkshire moors and Pickering Forest are associated with sandstone plateaus.

What type of environment characterized Kesteven Forest in Lincolnshire?

Kesteven Forest was situated in marshy and fenland areas.

What was the sole identified royal forest in the Lordship of Ireland?

The only royal forest known to have been established in the Lordship of Ireland was Glencree, located in County Wicklow.

What is the historical fate of the Royal Forest of Glencree in Ireland?

The Royal Forest of Glencree is last mentioned during the reign of Edward I and is believed to have been destroyed during the Bruce campaign in Ireland, which occurred between 1315 and 1318.

What does the Latin term *silva regis* imply about the original meaning of a royal forest?

The Latin term *silva regis*, meaning 'king's wood,' suggests that the original medieval concept of a royal forest was less about the physical presence of trees and more about land legally reserved for the king's use, particularly for hunting.

What role did the 'justices in eyre' play in the royal forest system?

The justices in eyre were high-ranking officials within the forest administration, presiding over the supreme forest court, the Court of Justice-seat, and holding the theoretical authority to pass sentences on offenders.

What was the purpose of the Court of Regard?

The Court of Regard was convened every three years with the specific aim of enforcing the regulation that required dogs within the forest to have their claws removed (declawed) to prevent them from hunting game.

Royal Forest Wiki: Guardians of the Realm: The Royal Forests of Britain

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Defining the Royal Forest

Royal Preserve

A royal forest, also known historically as a kingswood (Latin: silva regis), was not merely an area of woodland. In its medieval context, it signified land legally designated as a "preserve" for specific purposes, predominantly for the monarch's hunting activities.^[1]^[2] This distinction from the modern understanding of a forest highlights its function as a protected territory rather than solely a collection of trees.

Legal Status

The concept of royal forests, as understood in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, evolved from Continental European legal systems, particularly those of the Carolingian and Merovingian dynasties.^[3] Unlike Anglo-Saxon England, where monarchs were great hunters but did not establish areas "outside" the law, the Norman kings (post-1066) widely applied forest law through royal prerogative.^[4]^[5] This legal framework was designed to safeguard specific game animals and their habitat.

Scope and Composition

The designation "forest" encompassed a broad range of terrains, including heath, grassland, and wetland, wherever game animals like deer and wild boar thrived.^[7] When an area was afforested, any existing settlements or farmlands within its boundaries also became subject to forest law, often leading to significant social and economic impacts on local inhabitants, despite the curtailment rather than complete extinguishment of common rights.

Historical Trajectory

Norman Imposition

William the Conqueror is credited with establishing the system of forest law in England. While popular accounts suggest extreme penalties like blinding for poaching, historical analysis indicates this may be exaggerated propaganda.^[13] His successor, William Rufus, notably increased the severity of punishments. The Assize of the Forest, codified under Henry II in 1184, further formalized these laws.

Magna Carta & Charter

The barons' demands during the creation of Magna Carta in 1215 included clauses aimed at limiting the Crown's extensive forest rights.^[14] Subsequently, the Charter of the Forest in 1217 provided significant reforms, clarifying commoners' rights and curbing some of the forest officers' abuses.

Royal Revenue & Disafforestation

By the Tudor period, forest law had largely become anachronistic, with forests primarily serving as sources of timber. Monarchs like James I and Charles I sought to increase royal income through policies of disafforestation, surveying unused forests and selling off lands. This process often led to significant social unrest and riots, such as the "Western Rising," as commoners resisted the enclosure and revocation of traditional rights.^[19] The Delimitation of Forests Act 1640 attempted to reset forest boundaries to those of James I's reign.

The Framework of Forest Law

Vert and Venison

Forest law was fundamentally concerned with protecting two key elements: the vert, referring to the green foliage and trees that sustained game, and the venison, encompassing the specific animals designated for royal hunting. These included the hart, hind, boar, hare, and wolf, along with other beasts of chase and warren.^[10]

Prohibited Actions

Offences against forest law were categorized as trespasses against the vert or venison. Inhabitants within forest boundaries were forbidden from carrying hunting weapons, and dogs were generally banned unless their claws were removed to prevent them from pursuing game.^[11] The concept of "bloody hand" signified a trespass where an offender found with bloodstained hands was presumed to have killed a deer, even without direct evidence of the act.

Purlieus and Rights

Lands adjacent to the forest, known as purlieus, were disafforested, allowing agriculture but still subject to certain regulations. Deer escaping from the forest into purlieus could be killed if causing damage. Conversely, common inhabitants might possess rights such as estover (firewood), pannage (pasturing swine), turbary (cutting turf), and various forms of pasturage (agistment), though these were often curtailed or regulated.

Governance and Justice

Forest Officers

The administration of royal forests involved a hierarchy of officials. Key figures included the Justices of the Forest (often Justices in Eyre), Verderers, and the Warden, who oversaw the forest's operations. Subordinate roles included foresters, under-foresters (later rangers), agisters responsible for grazing rights, and regarders who monitored boundaries and encroachments.

Forest Courts

A distinct system of courts managed forest law. The Court of Attachment (or Forty-Day Court/Woodmote) handled initial proceedings. The Swainmote convened thrice annually for regulating grazing and trying offenders. The highest tribunal was the Court of Justice-Seat (or Eyre), presided over by a Justice in Eyre, which held the ultimate sentencing authority.^[11]

Legal Procedures

The system aimed to maintain order and royal authority. Regarders provided oversight by reporting on encroachments and violations, acting as a check against collusion between local foresters and offenders. The infrequent but significant Justice-Seat eyres served as the primary judicial mechanism for enforcing forest laws across vast territories.

Evolution and Dissolution

Fiscal Policies

From the Tudor period onwards, the fiscal utility of royal forests became more prominent than their hunting function. Ministers under James I and Charles I actively pursued disafforestation policies, aiming to generate revenue by selling forest lands and timber. This often involved complex surveys and negotiations with landowners, leading to the formal abolition of forest status for many areas.^[17]

Resistance and Reform

The disafforestation process frequently triggered significant opposition, including riots and "Skimmington processions," particularly in the West Country. These disturbances, often involving large numbers of commoners, targeted enclosures and the revocation of traditional land use rights.^[19] Parliament eventually intervened, notably with the Delimitation of Forests Act 1640, which aimed to redefine forest boundaries.

Modern Legacy

While forest law largely ceased to be enforced after the mid-17th century, many woodlands retained the title "Royal Forest." Management responsibilities evolved, eventually transferring to bodies like the Forestry Commission. Key historical forests, such as Dean, Epping, New Forest, and Sherwood, continue to exist today, often managed for conservation and public access, preserving a tangible link to this medieval system.

Iconic Royal Forests

Forest of Dean

Located in Gloucestershire, the Forest of Dean was historically a significant source of charcoal for ironmaking. Re-established by an Act in 1667, it continues to be managed by Forestry England, retaining its importance as a heavily wooded area and home to the Freeminers.

Epping & Hainault

These forests in Essex are remnants of the ancient Waltham Forest. Epping Forest, notably, was preserved through the efforts of the Corporation of London following the Epping Forest Act of 1878, safeguarding its status as a vital open space.

New Forest

Spanning Hampshire and Wiltshire, the New Forest's management has been shaped by acts like the New Forest Act of 1877, which regulated Crown enclosure rights and common rights. It remains under the stewardship of Forestry England.

Sherwood Forest

Renowned for its association with the legend of Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire is an ancient woodland with a high concentration of old trees. A fragment is designated as a National Nature Reserve, celebrated for its ecological diversity.

Compendium of Forests

The following table provides a historical overview of various royal forests across England and Ireland, detailing their counties, approximate dates of disafforestation, and notable characteristics.

Name of Forest	County	Disafforestation Date	Notes	Soil or Landscape
Aconbury	Herefordshire	1216, part	360 acres assarted to support a nunnery in 1216
Accrington	Lancashire
Alice Holt and Woolmer Forests	Hampshire	1812		Sandy, gravelly acid soils; dry oak, birch wood
Allerdale Forest	Cumberland
Alnwick	Northumberland	1280
Alveston	Gloucestershire
Archenfield	Herefordshire	1251
Ashurst	Sussex
Bagshot	Surrey		Part of Windsor Forest	Sandy, gravelly acid soils; dry oak, birch wood
Becontree	Essex
Bedfordshire	Bedfordshire	1191, Part disafforested
Bere Forest (incl. Bere Ashley)	Hampshire and Dorset	1269, in Dorset		Sandy, gravelly acid soils; dry oak, birch wood
Bere Porchester	Hampshire	1810		Sandy, gravelly acid soils; dry oak, birch wood
Berkshire	Berkshire	1227
Bernwood Forest	Buckinghamshire	1622	Including Brill and Panshill	Clay soils, woodlands
Bernwood Forest	Oxfordshire	1622	Partly in Bucks	Clay soils, woodlands
Blackmoor Forest	Dorset	1277		Heavy clay soils, dense oak forest
Blackmore	Wiltshire		Alias Melksham
Bolsover Forest	Derbyshire
Bowland	Lancashire and Yorkshire
Braydon Forest or Forest of Braden	Wiltshire	1630	Included parish of Minety; disafforested with riots	Heavy clay soils, dense oak forest
Brewood Forest	Staffordshire or Shropshire	1204
Brigstock	Northamptonshire	1638	Part of Rockingham Forest
Brill	Buckinghamshire		Part of Bernwood Forest
Burrington Forest
Carlisle (or Inglewood Forest)	Cumberland
Cannock Chase	Staffordshire	1290, in part	1290 partially given to the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield for a Chase
Charnwood Forest
Chelmsford	Essex
Chippenham	Wiltshire	1618–23	Perhaps excepting Bowood or Pewsham New Park	Heavy clay soils, dense oak forest
Chute Forest	Hampshire and Wiltshire	1639–61	Included Finkley and Digerley Forests
Cirencester	Gloucester		Possibly Braydon
Clarendon Forest	Wiltshire	1664 (Clarendon)	Including Panchet Wood and Milchet Park, with associated Forest of Buckholt, Hampshire
Claverley and Worfield	Shropshire
Cornbury	Oxfordshire		Or Wychwood
Cornwall	Cornwall	1204	Two woods and two moors, disafforested 1215
Dartmoor Forest	Devon and Somerset	1204	Annexed to Duchy of Cornwall 1337	High moorlands
Dean	Gloucestershire and Herefordshire			Midland clay plain, oak forest
Delamere Forest	Cheshire	1812	Remnant of Forests of Mara and Mondrem; outside normal forest administration	Sandstone with glacial sands and gravels and fertile clay; wetlands
Duffield Frith	Derbyshire		A group of six royal forests
East Derbyshire
Epping Forest (part of Waltham Forest)	Essex	1878	Epping Forest Act 1878 established preservation and common rights
Forest of Essex	Essex	1204	Entire county afforested to 1204
Essex, north	Essex	1204	North of the Stanestreet; Tendring Hundred 1228	Boulder clay, fertile lands
Exmoor Forest	Devon and Somerset	1815		High moorlands
Farndale Forest	Yorkshire	1209
Feckenham Forest	Worcestershire and Warwickshire	1622–31	Riots on disafforestation 1630–31	Midland clay plain, woodlands
Filwood	Somerset		Part of Kingswood
Freemantle Forest	Hampshire
Galtres	Yorkshire	1629
Geddington	Northamptonshire	1676	Part of Rockingham Forest
Gillingham Forest	Dorset	1625		Heavy clay soils, dense oak forest
Groveley Forest	Wiltshire	1500s
Hainault		1851	Part of Essex Forest
Hartforth	Yorkshire	1203
Haughmond	Shropshire
Harewood	Herefordshire			Midlands clay plain
Hastings, Rape of	Sussex	1206–07
Hatfield Forest	Essex		Part of former Essex Forest
Hay of Hereford	Herefordshire			Midlands clay plain
High Peak Forest	North Derbyshire
Horwood	Herefordshire
Huntingdonshire Forest	Huntingdonshire		Mainly Forests of Weybridge, Sapley and Herthey. Whole small county in C13th.
Inglewood Forest	Cumberland		Sometimes including Allerdale
Irchenfield Forest	Herefordshire	1251
Isle of Wight Forest	Hampshire
Kesteven Forest	Lincolnshire Fens	1230	'Forest of the March'	Marsh, fens
Keynsham Forest	Somerset		Alias Kingswood
Kingswood	Gloucestershire		Alias Keynsham
Kilpeck	Herefordshire
King's Cliffe	Northamptonshire		Part of Rockingham Forest
Kinver Forest	Staffordshire (formerly Worcestershire)			Midland clay plain, woodlands
Knaresborough Forest	Yorkshire
Langwith Hay	Yorkshire
Lee	Rutland		Or Leighfield
Leicester Forest	Leicestershire	1628	Riots occurred at disafforestation.
Linwood	Hampshire		Part of the New Forest
Long Forest	Shropshire		Included Longmynd, Stapelwood, Burswood, Lythwood and Stapleton	Midland clay plain, woodlands
Long Mynd or Strattondale	Shropshire
Lonsdale (incl. Wyresdale and Quernsmore)	Lancashire	1267
Macclesfield Forest	Cheshire		See Delamere Forest
Malvern Forest	Worcestershire	1290	Later listed as a chase	Midland clay plain, woodlands; upland moors
Malvern Chase	Worcestershire	1632, 1676	Strictly a chase, but 'disaforrested' with riots, confirmed 1676; Malvern Hills Act 1884	Midland clay plain, woodlands; upland moors
Mara et Mondrum	Cheshire	1812	Delamere Forest is a remnant
Melksham and Chippenham Forest	Wiltshire	1623		Heavy clay soils, dense oak forest
Melchet	Wiltshire	1577–1614	In southeast of county, between Clarendon and Hampshire border
Mendip Forest	Somerset		Also known as Cheddar
Middlesex Forest	Middlesex and part of Hertfordshire	1218
Morfe Forest	Shropshire		East and southeast of Bridgnorth	Midland clay plain, woodlands
Needwood Forest	Staffordshire		Parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster; Chase?
Neroche Forest	Somerset	1627–29
New Forest	Hampshire	1877	New Forest Act 1877 established preservation and rights of common	Sandy, gravelly acid soils; dry oak, birch wood
New Forest, Staffordshire	Staffordshire	1204
North Petherton	Somerset
Northumberland Forest	Northumberland	1280
Ombersley and Horewell Forest	Worcestershire	1229		Midland clay plain, woodlands
Ongar	Essex
Ouse and Derwent	Yorkshire	1234
Oxford and Stamford Bridges	Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Huntingdonshire
Pamber Forest	Hampshire	1614	Granted to John Waller and Thomas Pursell
Peak Forest	North Derbyshire	1639–1674		Limestone uplands
Penchet			Part of Clarendon Forest
Pendle Forest	Lancashire
Pickering Forest	North Yorkshire	1639		Sandstone upland plateau
Poorstock Forest	Dorset		(see Powerstock)
Purbeck	Dorset	1550	Granted to Duke of Somerset
Rockingham Forest	Northamptonshire	1638 & 1795-6	Including Brigstock, Cliffe, Geddington and Northampton Park; Bailiwicks disafforested 1790s	Clay soils, woodlands
Rossendale Forest	Lancashire
Rutland Forest (with Sauvey Forest)	Leicestershire	1398	Granted to the Duke of Abermarle
Ryedale	Yorkshire	1204
Salcey Forest	Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire	1825		Clay soils, woodlands
Sauvey	Leicestershire	1236	Except Withcote, 1627
Savernake Forest	Berkshire and Wiltshire	1550	Or Marlborough Forest; Granted to Duke of Somerset
Selwood Forest	Somerset and Wiltshire	1627–29		Heavy clay soils, dense oak forest
Sherwood Forest	Nottinghamshire	1818	Famous for association with Robin Hood.	Clay plain, woodlands
Shirlett Forest	Shropshire		NW of Bridgnorth
Shotover Forest	Oxfordshire		Including Stowood	Clay soils, woodlands
Skipton	Yorkshire
Somerton Warren	Somerset
Spaunton	Yorkshire
Stapelwood (incl. Buriwood, Lythewood, Stepelton)	Shropshire
Surrey, south	Surrey	1191	South of the Guildford Road
Trawden	Lancashire
Treville	Herefordshire	1230	Granted to John of Monmouth
Waltham Forest	Essex		Last remnant of Forest of Essex
Windsor Forest	Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire	1813		Sandy, gravelly acid soils; dry oak, birch wood
Wirral Forest	Cheshire	1376
Whittlewood Forest	Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire			Clay soils, woodlands
Woodstock Forest	Oxfordshire
Woolmer Forest	Hampshire	1855		Sandy, gravelly acid soils; dry oak, birch wood
Wrekin Forest	Shropshire		(Mount Gilbert Forest) (incl. Wellington, Wombridge) and Haughmond	Midland clay plain, woodlands
Wychwood Forest	Oxfordshire	1853		Heavy clay soils, dense oak forest
Wyre Forest	Worcestershire and Shropshire		Strictly only a chase
Yardley Chase	Northants
Glencree	County Wicklow, Ireland	c. 1315	Last mentioned in reign of Edward I; believed destroyed during Bruce campaign	Podzol, oak trees

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References

These words are printed against this act in the second column of the second schedule to the Statute Law Revision Act 1948, which is headed "Title".

The whole act was repealed by section 1(4) of, and the schedule to, the Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Act 1971, which took effect on the date of its royal assent.

Lovelace (2001), Herefordshire Council

A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848)

A full list of references for this article are available at the Royal forest Wikipedia page

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This content has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon publicly available data. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, it is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The information presented may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.

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Guardians of the Realm

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Defining the Royal Forest 🌳

👑 Royal Preserve

⚖️ Legal Status

🦌 Scope and Composition

Historical Trajectory ⏳

⚔️ Norman Imposition

📜 Magna Carta & Charter

👑 Royal Revenue & Disafforestation

The Framework of Forest Law ⚖️

🌿 Vert and Venison

⚔️ Prohibited Actions

🏞️ Purlieus and Rights

Governance and Justice 🏛️

👨‍⚖️ Forest Officers

⚖️ Forest Courts

📜 Legal Procedures

Evolution and Dissolution 📉

💸 Fiscal Policies

✊ Resistance and Reform

🌳 Modern Legacy

Iconic Royal Forests 🌲

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧 Forest of Dean

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧 Epping & Hainault

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧 New Forest

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧 Sherwood Forest

Compendium of Forests 📚

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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True or False? 🤔

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Gamer's Corner 🎮

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Explore More Topics

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References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

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Academic Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining the Royal Forest

Royal Preserve

Legal Status

Scope and Composition

Historical Trajectory

Norman Imposition

Magna Carta & Charter

Royal Revenue & Disafforestation

The Framework of Forest Law

Vert and Venison

Prohibited Actions

Purlieus and Rights

Governance and Justice

Forest Officers

Forest Courts

Legal Procedures

Evolution and Dissolution

Fiscal Policies

Resistance and Reform

Modern Legacy

Iconic Royal Forests

Forest of Dean

Epping & Hainault

New Forest

Sherwood Forest

Compendium of Forests

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice