ANCIENT AND MODERN FORESTRY 7 



Somewhat later, during the Saxon and Danish 

 periods, Britain was not only still thickly tree- 

 clad, but the then scanty population was mainly 

 dependent on the woodlands for many kinds of 

 food. Little attention was at that time paid 

 to the enclosure or improvement of land. The 

 woods abounded with game ; and the chase, 

 enjoyed in common, formed one of the chief 

 means of subsistence. 



When husbandry began to receive some little 

 care and attention under later Saxon rule, lands 

 were gradually enclosed and improved for better 

 cultivation ; while the wild animals of the woods, 

 destructive to tillage crops, were driven away 

 from such enclosures and confined, so far as 

 possible, within the depths of the forests. As 

 these recesses of the wilder tracts had never 

 been taken into account in the early clearance 

 of woodland for cultivation, they gradually be- 

 came something like sanctuaries for the wild 

 beasts ; and, naturally, a gradual evolution took 

 place from that condition to absolute reservation 

 for the profit and amusement of the great thanes 

 and earls, and finally for the recreation of the 

 sovereign himself. But every freeholder still 



