536 ' JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



versy Henry dissolved the monasteries, and a large number of forests 

 and parts of forests belonged to the monasteries. Upon their dissolu- 

 tion by Henry the forest lands of the monasteries passed either to the 

 crown or into private hands, and here we see the old, old story of what 

 happens to forests in private ownership. No sooner had these forests 

 passed into private hands than the greater part of them was cleared. 

 This aroused opposition, and in 1543 an act for the preservation of 

 timber was passed, the preamble of which laid great stress on the 

 decay of timber, the coming scarcity of timber for building of ships, 

 houses, and for fire wood. This act provided some quite definite cut- 

 ting rules and felling periods were established. In copse of under- 

 wood, felled at 24 years' growth, there were to be left 12 standards or 

 "store oaks" per acre,^or in default of oak, so many beech, elm or ash. 

 When cut under a 14-year rotation, the ground was to be enclosed or 

 protected for four years. 



This same act provided that the cutting of trees on waste or common 

 lands was to be punished by a fine of $1.66. This act of Henry's was 

 extended by Elizabeth to provide, among other things, that a person 

 found cutting or spoiling any wood or underwood or standing trees, 

 who being unable to pay the fine, should be whipped. Certain forest 

 .■surveys made during Queen Elizabeth's time, such as those for Duffield 

 PVith Forest, give full details as to forest, timber and undergrowth, 

 enumerating every tree. 



Timber sales. Sales of timber and cordwood were made from the 

 forests from the earliest times. In 1346, the wood from the coppice 

 near Canonpath was sold for $86.81 ; there were 43 purchasers for this 

 vv'Ood, the largest individual sale amounting to $6.66. In old forest 

 records there is mention of a "sealing axe," or marking axe, used for 

 blazoning the timber to be felled. 



Free use. Free use of timber, especially to religious orders, churches, 

 and public buildings, played a most important part from the earliest 

 times. From Sherwood Forest, in 1228, four oaks were given to 

 William Avenal, described as waiting on the King of Scotland; two 

 oaks to the leper colony at Chesterfield, six to the priory of Bligh, six 

 to the canons of Newark, three to the priory of Thurgarton. The use 

 to which the timber was to be placed was always specified in the grant ; 

 to religious houses the timber was usually to be used in the completion 

 or repair of churches. 



Sometimes this free use timber was cut timljer ; for example, in 1228. 

 the King sent 20 beams from Sherwood to a distant church in Norfolk. 



