202 DUFFIELU FOREST IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 



In 1581 a Commission was issued to Edward Stanhope and 

 other gentlemen to survey and fully report on the condition of 

 the Frith and its capabilities. At this time there were only a 

 very few deer left in Maunsell Park ; Alderwasley was no longer 

 reckoned as part of the Frith. Their return is of quite sufficient 

 interest to be cited in full.* 



The Certificate of Edward Stanhope Willm Agard and Simon 

 Arden esquiers upon their veiw and survey of the waste of 

 Duffield frith and other things to them and to George Abell 

 gent comitted to view and certifie by virtue of the Queue's 

 Majesties Commission bearing date the xxiij day of ffebruary in 

 the xxiij year of the Queues Majestic reign. 



I. — By virtue of the Quenes Majesties Commission to us 

 directed under her Majestic scale of the Duchy of Lancaster 

 bearing date the xxiij day of ffebruary in the three and twcntith 

 yere of her highnes reign Wc came the third day of April last 

 past to the place mentioned in the saide Commission in the 

 county of Derby and calling before us the woodwardes and 

 collectors of the wardes being the wastes of Duffield ffryth men- 

 tioned in the said Commission and divers also of her Majestie's 

 Tenantes copyholders and free holders of her mannors within the 

 saide frithe of Duffield with the members to the number of 

 Thirtie and upwarde We doe finde as well by our owne vicwe 

 perambulation and survey As by their Confession That there 

 are within her Majestie's free chase of Duffield frithe aforesaid 

 Three great wastes or comon groundes whereof thone is called 

 Holland 'Ward thother Duffild 'Ward the third Bellparr warde 

 And that of eche of the said wardes there is one woodward 

 Collector or forester in fee viz. John Roper who claymeth the 

 patent to be collector of Holland warde, Roger Brokeshawe who 

 claymeth to be forester in fee of Duffild warde and Collector of 

 the same by patent And George Sellers who claymeth to be 

 Collector by patent of Bellparr warde Whiche wardes appeare 

 and are likewise confessed as aforsaide That they were and are 

 a free chase of ffallow deare vnto her Majesties honor of Tudbery 



* Duchy of Lancaster. Special Commissions, 305. 



