ANCIENT AND MODERN FORESTRY 47 



evade, although he dared not formally renounce, 

 the forest articles he had been compelled to 

 grant since 1299. 



But the people still groaned under the op- 

 pressions of the forest Jaws and the Foresters. 

 Complaints were general that in place of accusa- 

 tions being properly made, the * presentments ' 

 often took place at the instance of Verderers and 

 Foresters, with the design of extorting money, and 

 that the number of officers maintained in the 

 forests was excessive, while they lived by illegal 

 traffic in wood and game. At length the cry 

 which went up became so loud that it had to 

 be satisfied by legislation, and thus was secured 

 the Forest Ordinance passed in 1306. This short 

 ordinance of six sections only was much to the 

 point. It contained many useful regulations 

 with regard to the proceedings at the forest 

 courts. Trespassers were ordered to be presented 

 to the next Swainmote ; the Verderers were to 

 be chosen by the freeholders, and appointed by 

 the king's writ ; and all offences of the forest 

 officers, whether against the king or the people, 

 were ordered to be presented, tried, and punished. 

 It also removed certain grievances of the common 



