NEEDWOOD FOREST. 117 



B. Needwood. 



The royal Forest of Needwood, in Staffordshire, had 

 formerly four wards and four keepers, with each a lodge, 

 now in the hands of private gentlemen. In Elizabeth's 

 reign it was about 24 miles in circumference, and in 1658 

 it contained upwards of 92,000 acres. In 1684 it con- 

 tained more than 47,000 trees, besides 10,000 cords of 

 hollies and underwood, valued at upwards of 30,000. It 

 is now principally enclosed, leaving, however, a portion be- 

 longing to the crown, and one lodge. It contains still 

 some of the largest oaks in England, and is noted for the 

 fineness of its turf. 



" The wildest and most romantic spot of Needwood 

 Forest is the Park of Chartley. It once formed part of the 

 possessions of the puissant family of De Ferrars, but they 

 were forfeited by the attainder of Earl Ferrars, after his 

 defeat at Burton Bridge, where he led the rebellious 

 barons against Henry III. This estate, being settled in 

 power, was alone reserved, and handed down to its present 

 possessor. 



C. Whittlebury Forest. 



Whittlebury Forest, in Northamptonshire, was the scene 

 of a most remarkable triumph of love over sovereignty. 

 Tradition points out the exact spot of the first interview 

 between the lovely widow of Sir John Gray, a noted Lan- 

 castrian leader, and the youthful king Edward IV. The 

 lady, so well known to historical students by the name of 

 Elizabeth Woodville, waylaid Edward when he was hunt- 

 ing in the neighbourhood of her mother's castle at Grafton. 

 There she waited for him under a noble tree, still known 

 by the appellation of the Queen's Oak. Under the shelter 

 of its wide-spreading branches the fascinating widow ad- 

 ressed the young monarch, holding her fatherless boys by 



