Ancient English Forest Laivs. 2)1 



Kichard I. had converted to his own use, and capital punishment and 

 mutilation were struck out of the code ; but notwithstanding the grant 

 of this charter, the exactions of the Justices of the Forest appear to 

 liave been very grievous during the reign of Henry III. The barons 

 wrung from Edward I., in 1297, a full and free confirmation of the 

 Carta dc Forcstd, and from that time it has never been disputed. 

 Charles I., amongst other attempts against the liberty of the subject, 

 tried to revive its ancient and forgotten power, but he failed. Man- 

 wood gives an elaborate account of the manner of erecting a forest, 

 which appears to have been made for the special delight and recrea- 

 tion of the king ; venison, and not timber, being the article wanted, the 

 latter was merely planted to afford shade and food for the former 

 In Elizabeth's time (and some of the ancient routine clings to us 

 yet) a forest had its own courts: — 1. The Justices' Seat, or Court of 

 the Justice in Eyre, held not oftener than every third year, to take 

 cognizance of trespasses, pleas, and causes within the forest. 2. The 

 Swainemote, or assembly of the freeholders of the forest, held thrice 

 a year to make inquests and juries, and to receive and try present- 

 ments againsts offences in vert, or everything bearing green leaves 

 o. The Woodmote or Court of Attachment, held every forty days to 

 receive and inquire into presentments, but not to convict. 4. The 

 Court of Eegard, held every third year for the survey and " Expi- 

 datiou of Dogs." 



The Chief Justices in Eyre \vere appointed by Henry I. in 1184, 

 and were only abolished by 57 George III., their places having 

 become sinecures owing to the disuse of the forest laws. The Chief 

 Warden might bail and discharge offenders, but not give judgment 

 whenever a castle exists in a forest, as the constable of that castlt 

 is chief warden of the forest. Verderers are judicial officers chosen 

 in full county by the king's writ, they are chief judges of the Swaine- 

 mote ; Eegarders superintend the forest and inquire into offences ; 

 Foresters watch over vert and venison, and make attachments and 

 presentments for trespasses ; Woodwards look especially to the timber 

 and vert ; a Eiding Forester rides with the king in hunting ; Agisters 

 take care of the agistment and pasturage of cattle ; Eangers re-chase 

 beasts which stray into the purlieus ; Beadles warn courts, make procla- 

 mations, serve processes, &c. Besides these there are also keepers, 

 bailiffs, and other minor officers. 



Besides the forest itself there is the purlieu, which is in some 

 sort under forest law. These were such additions as were illegally 

 made to the original forests at the time in which the Carta de 

 Forestd was given. Hence purlieus are free of vert and venison 

 to those who have woods or lands in them, but not to others. 

 Amongst forest offences is that of "wast," which is cutting down 



