274 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



Thus we find from various legal proceedings that, 

 in addition to Roger Sydenham, mentioned above, 

 Mr. Stawley, Mr. Thomas Sydenham, "one John 

 Glasse," and Mr. Webber, of Luxborough, were 

 foresters. In 1599 Mr. William Pyncombe, of 

 North Molton, came into possession, and he held 

 till 1 61 3, when he was succeeded by John Pearce of 

 the same place. 



From some very interesting legal proceedings 

 which took place in 1621 concerning the wrongful 

 impounding of some sheep, it is clear that pasturage, 

 and not hunting, was the thing chiefly held in 

 consideration. But from the evidence it is clearly 

 established that staghunting did take place at that 

 time. It is also clear that the so-called foresters, or 

 farmers of the forest as they are also called, were not 

 the Masters. Whether the Earl of Pembroke, who 

 was Forester in Chief till the time of Charles I., 

 either kept hounds himself, or, as is more probable, 

 authorised Hugh Pollard to do so, is nowhere stated. 



John Pearce, the acting forester, fell foul of one 

 John Slowley, of Eastcott Farm, Porlock, concerning 

 the agistment of sheep, and brought a suit in 

 Chancery against him, which was not proceeded 

 with, though the feud continued. Eastcott Farm is 

 the farmhouse just below Whitestone, between 

 Birchanger and Westcott. Pearce complained that 

 Slowley kept more sheep than his farm would carry, 

 and fed them on the forest, where he had no right. 

 Slowley complained that Pearce, as soon as he 



