THE FOREST OF THE HIGH PEAK 155 



Earl of Derby, 1216-22; Brian de Insula, 1222-28; Robert 

 de Lexington, 1228-33; Ralph Fitz-Nicholas, 1233-34; J onn 

 Goband, 1234-37 ; Thomas de Furnival, 1237 (f r slx 

 months) ; Warner Engaine, 1237-42 ; John de Grey, 1242-48 ; 

 and William de Horsenden, 1249. They were appointed by 

 Crown patents. 



The presentment of venison trespasses were made by the 

 hereditary foresters and the verderers. This roll is headed by 

 the wholesale charge made against William de Ferrers, Earl 

 of Derby (who had died in 1246), in conjunction with Ralph de 

 Beaufoy, of Trusley, William May, the earl's huntsman, 

 Richard Curzon, of Chaddesden, and Henry de Elton, of 

 having taken in the king's forest of the Peak, during the six 

 years when the earl was bailiff (1216-22), upwards of 2,000 head 

 of game (deer). Ralph, Robert, and Henry appeared, and on 

 conviction were imprisoned ; but they were released on paying 

 heavy fines, and finding twelve mainpernors for their good 

 conduct. Robert Curzon was fined 40 ; the first of his twelve 

 mainpernors was William Curzon, of Croxall. Ralph Beaufoy 

 was fined 10 ; the first of his mainpernors was Sir William 

 de Meysam. May, the huntsman, did not appear ; it was re- 

 ported he was in Norfolk, and the justices ordered him to be 

 attached. If the full actual pleadings were extant, there can 

 be no doubt, judging from the customs of other forests, that 

 the companions of the earl would have been able to show that 

 a considerable percentage of the deer taken when he held 

 office were fee deer, to which he was entitled by usage for 

 himself and his deputies, and that many others were the usual 

 and recognised gifts to the country gentlemen of the district 

 to secure their goodwill towards the king's forest. It must 

 be remembered that it was always customary at these eyres to 

 present lists of all the deer killed, including those taken by 

 express warrant or custom, Nevertheless, there was obviously 

 something quite unwarrantable in the amount taken during that 

 period (over 300 a year), as is shown by the heavy fines imposed 

 upon the hunting comrades of the deceased earl. 



Many of the other offenders were men of considerable 

 position. Thus Thomas Gresley, Alan his brother, Ralph 

 Hamilton, the Earl of Arundel, and Geoffrey de Nottingham 

 were convicted of taking three harts and two hinds. 



