288 Selwood Forest. 
Further, it is stated that the ten pounds per annum paid as rent by 
the bailiff or forester was found to have been raised only by violent 
proceedings of sub-foresters and other petty officers seizing poor 
people’s grain, and by other extortions: and if those practices were 
put an end to, the office would not be worth half a mark per annum.' 
The Barons of the Exchequer then decreed that Reginald de 
Kingston should for the future, dating from 1326, hold the office at 
the will of the Crown, by payment of one mark a year: and should 
be excused all arrears, which were above £50. 
Notwithstanding the above declaration as to the places dis- 
afforested, and therefore no longer within his jurisdiction, Reginald 
de Kingston seems to have been either inattentive or aggressive, for 
after his death another Inquisition by a jury of twelve “ good and 
free men” was beld “concerning the state of Selwood Forest, and 
the transgressions of Reginald de Kingston late custos.” 
By this it was found “That the Manor of Deverel Langbrigg 
belonging to Glaston. Abbey was of the demesne of our Lord the 
King: so also Knoyle Hodierne belonging to the Abbess of Wilton : 
also Ashton Manor belonging to Romsey Abbey: also Stourton 
Fitzpayne: the manor of Knoyle belonging to the Bishop of Winton 
was of the Lordship of the Earl of Warwick who held mediately of 
the King as of his demesne. Wynfeld manor belonging to Keyn- 
sham Abbey was of the Lordship of the Earl of Gloucester who 
held of the King. Cuvele [Keevil], a manor of the Earl of Arundell 
was of the demesne of the King. All which manors with the 
woods adjacent were, before the Perambulation, within Selwood 
Forest, but since had been disafforested.” 
From an earlier Inquisition, in 56 Hen. III. (A.D. 1272), it 
1 One of the bad customs connected with the forest law was the ‘‘ Scot Ale,” 
“Pilson Ale,” or “ Outlaw’s Ale”: some kind of assembly for administration 
of the law. The inferior bailiff, for the occasion, extorted money or grain, 
lambs or young pigs, from the poor people, both within and adjoining to the 
boundaries. They made a great brewing of beer, and then compelled the 
people to attend, consume the article, and pay for it. The Wiltshire sub- 
foresters are particularly named as guilty of this oppression. [Hundred Rolls, 
vol, ii, 249, quoted in Archdeacon Hale’s Domesday of St. Paul's, p. evii.] 
ee 
