A HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX 



inclosing any more land ; but an agreement was entered into between 

 the king's commissioners and the tenants of the chase for the inclosing 

 of 1 20 acres. 83 



A warrant for payment of 200 to Sir Robert Wroth and Sir John 

 Brett was signed in November, 1612, to distribute among such tenants 

 as pretended to a right in the waste lands of Enfield Chase, which had 

 been taken in to enlarge Theobalds Park.* 3 



William Graves, of East Barnet, entered into an obligation in 

 August, 1616, under pain of 20, to be true and faithful to the keeping 

 of the king's game and venery in His Majesty's chase of Enfield, 

 co. Middlesex." In the following year Sir Nicholas Salter, woodward 

 of the chase, was ordered to deliver trees, with tops and branches, for 

 repairs within the chase.* 5 



There was much disorder on the chase during the Commonwealth 

 period, particularly in regard to the killing and snaring of the deer and 

 destruction of the timber. The Council of State wrote to the Earl of 

 Salisbury in June, 1 649, to the effect that there could be no better way 

 to repress such disorders than by proceeding against rioters by common 

 law. The chiefest persons were known, and if they were indicted, 

 heavily fined, and the fine speedily levied, they would not, perhaps, 

 hereafter desire venison at so dear a rate. The earl was ordered to 

 proceed against all known offenders at the next sessions or assizes.* 8 In 

 the following November the council had to deal with the embezzling 

 of timber trees marked out on Enfield Chase for Admiralty use.* 7 A 

 report was presented in 1654 to the effect that there was destruction 

 of wood in Enfield Chase to the value of 2,000 ; the best trees were 

 being felled and the wood sold at very low rates.* 8 



On 30 August, 1654, an ordinance was passed for the immediate 

 sale of a third of Enfield Chase, for ready money. From the proceeds 

 of this sale, and of other forest lands in Nottinghamshire and Stafford- 

 shire, the arrears of payments to various officers and soldiers were to be 

 liquidated.*' 



A survey made in 1650 showed that the chase had an extent of 

 7,904 acres, and its value was 4,742 8s. per annum. The deer, whose 

 numbers had greatly diminished during the civil strife, were valued at 

 150 ; the oak timber, exclusive of 2,500 trees marked for the Navy, at 

 2,100 ; and the hornbeam and other wood at 12,000.* 



In the same year as the survey the chase was sold in lots, with the 

 result that a considerable amount was speedily inclosed and houses built 

 thereon. This excited much wrath amongst many of the commoners, 

 resulting in riots attended by destruction of fences and buildings. The 

 riots were eventually suppressed in 1659, by a considerable military 

 force. 31 



" S.P. Dom. ]3. I, bcvi, 63, 65, 77. * Ibid, luri, 43. 



" Ibid. Ixxxviii, 47. * Ibid, xcii, 53. 



* S.P. Dom. Commonwealth, ii, 191. " Ibid, xi, 192. 



* Ibid, bun, 63. " Ibid. Ixxv, 341. 



10 Lysons, Environs of London, ii, 286. " Ct. R. bdle. 94, No. 1371. 



228 



