THE FORESTS OF HAMPSHIRE 307 



there must have been numerous cases struck out, because the 

 delinquent or delinquents were dead. One of the more excep- 

 tional and interesting cases is that of two poachers who, in 

 July, 1325, hunted in the New Forest with nine greyhounds 

 and a mastiff, killing two does and a fawn ; they loaded them 

 on a white mare, when they were attached by the foresters and 

 committed, together with the mare, which was of the value 

 of 5-r., to the custody of Simon de Wynton, the sheriff of the 

 county. When the eyre was held Simon was called upon 

 not only to account for his prisoners, but for the 5-s 1 ., the 

 value of the mare. But Sheriff Simon was dead, and Sir 

 Richard de Wynton, who held his lands, had to put in an 

 appearance and hand over the value of the white mare to the 

 justices. 



The list of presentments of vert trespassers is a very long 

 one, covering both sides of four membranes. It opens with 

 two cases, in one of which three beeches, worth 3^., had been 

 felled, and in the other two oaks, worth 2^.; in each instance, 

 the offender had to pay izd. fine, the value having pre- 

 viously been paid at the local woodmote court. The usual 

 value put on oaks, roers, and beeches was is. each. Occa- 

 sionally the oaks must have been of considerable size ; in one 

 case an oak was valued at 2S., and in another at 3$. ^d. A cart- 

 load of green wood of white thorn was valued at 6d. 



The following is a copy of a warrant for timber from Beau- 

 lieu, addressed by Henry VII. to the Earl of Arundel, the 

 keeper of the New Forest : 



"By the king 



"We wil and charge you that unto our trusty and right wel- 

 beloved Cousin the erl of Ormond or unto the bringer herof in his 

 name ye deliver or doo to be delivered twelf Okes convenable for 

 tymbre to be taken within our Baiffship of Bewley in cure Forest 

 called the New Forest or in such places within the same Forest 

 as oure said Cousin shall thinke moost metely and convenient for him, 

 and these oure lettres shalbe yor Warrant. Geven undre oure 

 signet at oure Citie of Winchestere the xix dey of October the second 

 yere of oure Reign. 



"To o r Right trusty and right welbeloved Cousin Therl of 

 Arundell warden of our Newe Forest in our Countie of Suth'ton 

 and to his Lieutenant and keepers there." 



