ASHDOWN FOREST. 163 



not satisfied with this, but desired to have an absolute 

 grant of the Forest. The Earl of Bristol, however, 

 had the greater influence at Court, and obtained a lease 

 of it for ninety-nine years, together with the Manor 

 of Duddleswell and the Honor of Aquila. In the lease 

 then given, the King granted and declared the dis- 

 afforesting of the Forest and Chase, and the disparting 

 of the park and all woods, grounds, etc., within the 

 limits thereof ; and as a result of this the disafforesting 

 of Ashdown took place. Leave was also given to 

 the Earl of Bristol to plough up, divide, and inclose 

 the Forest, and to allot to such persons as had rights of 

 common and other rights, privileges and profits in it, 

 parts of the soil in recompense and satisfaction of 

 their rights, all such allotments to be confirmed by 

 decree of the Court of the Duchy of Lancaster. There 

 was also a grant of warren in the Forest to Lord Bristol, 

 and a rent was reserved of 200 a year. 



Lord Bristol thereupon began to inclose under this 

 lease. The Commoners strenuously resisted, and litiga- 

 tion followed. A suit was commenced by Lord Bristol 

 against the Commoners, but was not heard, probably 

 owing to the forfeiture of the lease of the former. 

 About the same time the dispute between Lord Dorset 

 and Lord Bristol was settled by a renunciation by the 

 former of his interest as Keeper of the Forest, on 

 payment to him of 100 a year for ninety-nine years. 



Shortly after this, Lord Bristol failed to pay his 

 rent to the Duchy, and consequently his lease was for- 

 feited; and in 1673 a fresh lease was granted to 

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