252 THE ROYAL FORESTS OF ENGLAND 



2s., and in the following year he had a stubb of like value 

 under a similar term. William and Nicholas Smythe, foresters 

 of Moorhay, had four stubbs called "fence stubbes " and two 

 stubbs called "fox stubbes." Another entry for a different 

 part of the forest clears up the difficulty, where record is made 

 of "fox et varmint trees." It seems obvious that this timber 

 was a recognition of the foresters' industry in keeping down 

 the number of foxes and other vermin. 



Among incidental references to timber may be mentioned 

 the felling of spires for the repair of lodges, and for providing 

 rails round the laund of Moorhay. In 1488, Richard Watkin- 

 son, forester, felled four stubbs worth 2s. 6d. for the men-at- 

 arms who were going with the king to northern parts. 



The particulars furnished for this eyre by the verderers and 

 the paid officials of the bailies of Rockingham and Brigstock 

 are almost as detailed as the return of Cliff baily. The 

 keeper of Geddington wood had six stubbs allowed yearly for 

 fuel. As fox and vermin trees, he had received twelve stubbs 

 during the five years, and ten more as fence stubbs during the 

 like period. Four trees from this wood were used in the con- 

 struction of a pinfold. In Fermyng wood, by Lord Welles' 

 orders, eighty loads of derefal wood were cut in the first year of 

 Henry VII., and ten loads of fuel wood and one stubb were 

 taken for his hearth. Robert Johnson, keeper of the wood, and 

 John Salmon, the ranger, had each a like supply for their 

 hearths, whilst the deputies each received four loads. There 

 was a similar return for all the five years. 



Amongst a great variety of details pertaining to this eyre 

 that have to be omitted, there is one that should not be passed 

 over. It was then put on record that twelve acres of wood 

 and underwood had been cleared in the coppice of Hamorton 

 Dale, and the proceeds, together with those of other clearings, 

 given by Henry VI. to the repairs and rebuilding of the 

 church of Kingscliff and of the mill of the same town. 



A variety of cases that came before the justices at the forest 

 pleas which opened in September, 1490, showed the prevalent 

 use of crossbows throughout the district. In 1493 Sir Reginald 

 Gray held a court at Collyweston for the sole purpose of 

 restraining their use, at which all crossbow owners were re- 

 quired to be present and produce recognisances. 



