110 EPPING FOREST. 



it was enacted that all lands added to the Eoyal Forests 

 by Henry II., Kichard, and John, should be thrown 

 out again, and that they were to be viewed for that 

 purpose by good and lawful men. A copy of this 

 survey exists in the Bodleyan Library. 



It appears from this and other documents that 

 this perambulation substantially coincided with another 

 in the reign of Edward I., the record of which also still 

 exists. In spite of this, there appear to have been 

 disputes from time to time with respect to the extent 

 of the Forest, which were not definitely settled till the 

 time of the Long Parliament. 



The Forest was in these early periods, and for 

 centuries later, the favourite resort of the sovereigns. 

 It was described even so late as 1628 by Sir Eobert 

 Heath as being 



" a very fertile and fruitful soyle ; and being full of most 

 pleasant and delightful playnes and lawnes, most useful and 

 commodious for hunting and chasing of the game or redd and 

 falowe deare . . . 



" especiallie and above all their other fforests, prized and 

 esteemed by the King's Majestie, and his said noble pro- 

 genitors the Kings and Queenes of this realme of England, as 

 well for his and their pleasure, disport, and recreation from those 

 pressing cares for the publique weale and safetie, which are in- 

 separablie incident to theire kinglie office, as for the interteyne- 

 ment of forreigne Princes and Ambassadors, thereby to show 

 unto them the honor and magnificence of the Kings and Queenes 

 of this Realme." 



In the reign of Edward VI. complaint was made 

 that the forest laws had been neglected. The King 



