CHAPTER HI. 



" There are no tricks in phin and simple faith." — Shakkspere. 



DURING the reign of James I. certain circumstances oc.curred 

 having a most important bearing on much of the property 

 and its ownership within the Forest of Rossendale, as constituting 

 a portion of the Forest of Blackburnshire, to omit making men- 

 tion of which would be to overlook one of the most noteworthy 

 episodes in its past History. 



In order to a clear understanding of the circumstances here 

 referred to, it is necessary that I should carry my readers back 

 to the time of the reign of that astute monarch, Henry VII., 

 when the Forest lands were partitioned out in accordance with the 

 " Commission for Grauntinge of the Forrests." (a) This Instrument 

 from the king, who was lord of the manor, is addressed to his 

 steward, and authorises him to make grants of the vaccaries or 

 booths, after the custom of the manor, by copy of court roll, to 

 such persons, and at such yearly rents, as were contained in a 

 .Schedule prepared by Sir John Boothe and others, who had been 

 deputed to survey and view all the king's grounds, castles, and 

 lordships. The rent here spoken of is what, at the present day, is 

 popularly known as the " Duke's Rent "—the yearly sum paid to 

 the lord of the manor for the copyhold. When the manor was in 

 possession of the Crown, the rent would, of course, be known as 

 the " Kind's " or " Queen's rent." 



As the immediate result of the king's commission, the hitherto 

 uncultivated lands within the bounds of the Forest were granted to 

 various persons who became the owners of the copyholds, and 



(a) Ante, Chap. I. Book III. 



