ANCIENT AND MODERN FORESTRY 13 



woodlands regarded as * royal hunting grounds ' 

 (silva regis) appear to have been under the 

 administration of four thanes or Poegend in each 

 province, while other four Lespegend or thanes 

 of lower rank ranged the forests in charge of 

 1 vert and venison,' the woodlands and the 

 animals of the chase. Under each of these again 

 were two woodmen or foresters of lower rank 

 called Tinemen, who performed the more servile 

 work of watchers and keepers. All of these 

 officials were mounted and armed. The thanes 

 administered justice and disciplined their subor- 

 dinates, but were answerable only to the king, 

 much in the same way as the Commissioners of 

 Woods and Forests are now responsible to Parlia- 

 ment. Deer, wild cattle, hares, and rabbits were 

 enclosed, but all men were allowed to shoot wild 

 boars, wolves, and foxes outside the enclosures. 

 Villeins and burghers were liable for the service 

 of enclosure and stalling the big game, and for 

 this purpose every two villeins had to keep a dog. 

 One of the first steps taken by William I. 

 after the Conquest was to reserve to the Crown 

 all the old folk-land remaining unenclosed, and 

 the crown lands were further increased by the 



