CHAPTER XXIV 

 THE FOREST OF WINDSOR 



THE forest of Windsor was at one time of immense extent, 

 having a circumference of about 120 miles. It included 

 a part of Buckinghamshire, a small portion of Middlesex, 

 the south-east side of Berkshire as far as Hungerford, and 

 a very large part of Surrey. In the early part of its history 

 almost the whole of Surrey was technically within the bounds 

 of Windsor forest, and subject to forest law ; whilst for several 

 centuries the rights of Windsor forest on the Surrey side 

 included Cobham and Chertsey, and extended along the side 

 of the Wey as far as Guildford. But it gradually dwindled in 

 extent through encroachments and grants, so that when 

 Norden made his detailed survey in the time of James I., the 

 circuit, exclusive of the Buckingham liberties, was only 

 77| miles. At the time of its enclosure in 1813, the circuit had 

 been still further reduced to 56 miles. 



There is a noteworthy reference in the Close Rolls at the end 

 of John's reign to the deer of this great forest. On gth January, 

 1215, the king gave orders for no fewer than sixty-four deer to 

 be supplied out of Windsor forest for the great feast at the 

 consecration of the bishop-elect of Coventry. This feast took 

 place at Reading, for William Cornhill was consecrated Bishop 

 of Coventry and Lichfield, and Richard le Poor Bishop of 

 .Chichester, on 25th January, in the infirmary chapel of the 

 Benedictine abbey of that town. 



The references to royal grants made by Henry III. out 

 of Windsor forest are numerous and interesting, but for these 

 search must be made in the printed calendars of both Close 

 and Patent Rolls. 



The grants of timber in Henry III.'s reign out of Windsor 



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