27 THE ANCIENT INDUSTRIES OF CANNOCK CHASE, 
because scanty—which have been gathered from various sources. In 
this way we may form some idea of those ‘“ Ancient Industries ” 
which have helped to produce such great results. 
At the time of the Doomsday Survey the Forest of Cannock 
consisted of 43,200 acres. It belonged originally to the Earls of 
Mercia, but in consequence of an act of rebellion during the reign of 
William the Conqueror the Forest lands were confiscated, and for a 
considerable period remained the property of the Crown. From 
what history tells us of the great Conqueror, we can quite imagine 
that he would not be slow in obtaining under almost any pretext, for 
the purpose of the chase, such a sporting Forest as that of Cannock, 
That the Forest was actually used by the Norman Kings and their 
successors for the indulgence of their favourite sport there can be 
no doubt. And there may still be seen high upon Castle Ring the 
foundation stones of a very ancient building, which was thought by 
the late William Molyneaux—an Archzeologist well known in Burton- 
on-Trent—to be an old Royal hunting lodge. Major Woodward, 
R.E., has expressed the opinion that the building dates back to King 
Henry I., or King Stephen, and it may possibly mark the site of the 
ancient fortified Castle of Beaudesert. What little remains of the 
building shews massive walls enclosing two rooms, 60 ft. by 37 ft., 
with traces of a winding staircase. The gateway, set in a wall 4 feet 
thick, has grooved stones as if for a portcullis. South of Castle Ring 
(? mile) is Redmoor, the site of a monastery and royal residence, 
where, in July 1155, King Henry II stayed, and from which place 
he probably visited Burton-on-Trent, and granted certain Charters 
to the town bearing that date. Considerable sums of money were 
spent in improving the gardens and in repairing the King’s house at 
Redmoor at that time, as recorded in the Pipe Rolls of the Exchequer. 
A change of owners of part of Cannock Forest took place in 
1190. King Richard I., Coeur-de-Lion, impelled by the love of 
military glory, and fired by the news that Jerusalem had fallen into 
the hands of the Saracens, stopped at nothing to raise money for the 
vast Crusade he was determined upon for the relief of the Holy 
