Forest of Rossendale. • 59 



The time of the Fawning of the Deer was called the Fence 

 month. It began fifteen days before, and ended fifteen days 

 after midsummer. During this month no person was suffered 

 to wander out of the highway into the Forest. By the ancient 

 Assizes of the Lancaster Forests, it appears that this Law was 

 rigidly enforced — no person being allowed to pass near the 

 place where the animals resorted at this time. No cattle, 

 swine, nor any description of dog whatsoever — whether ex- 

 peditated or not, were allowed to feed or wander in the Forest 

 during this period. If any hogs, goats or sheep were found 

 in the Forest during the Fence-month they were forfeited to the 

 king — so careful was the Law to guard the royal animal from every 

 kind of disquiet. 



In ancient times the following rhymed Oath was taken by every 

 human inhabitant of the Forest, and being twelve years of age : — 

 " You shall true Liege-man be, 



Unto the King's Majestie : 



Unto the beasts of the Forest you shall no hurt do, 



Nor to anything that doth belong thereunto; 



The offences of others you shall not conceal, 



But, to the utmost of your power, you shall them reveal 



Unto the Officers of the Forest, 



Or to them who may see them redrest : 



All these things you shall see done. 



So help you GOD at his Holy Doom." (c) 



Many of the laws enumerated above have been repealed ; some, 

 though not abolished, have fallen into disuse ; while others are in 

 operation to this day. 



The Purlieus are lands, afforested by some of the earlier kings, 

 in the vicinity of the ancient Forests ; but which, in the time of 

 Richard I., were disforested by a Commission appointed to make 

 perambulations, and to restore the ancient and true boundaries. 

 The lands in question, though severed from the Forests by these 

 perambulations, did not recover their former position, but were 

 made subject to distinct and particular laws. 



(e) Manwood, ed. 171 7, p. 78. 



