A HISTORY OF DERBYSHIRE 



(camera victitum) and the chapel at Belper; 1 and those of 1377-8 exceptionally full details 

 as to deer-browse, and park pales. 2 



During the same period woodmote rolls record the various penalties and attachments 

 for venison and herb trespass. 3 



The registers of John duke of Lancaster covering the close of the reign of Edward III. 

 and the beginning of that of Richard II., contain various references to Duffield Frith.* 

 We know that John of Gaunt sojourned at the great lodge or manor house in Ravens- 

 dale park during August, 1372, and August, 1374, because of his dating official papers from 

 that residence, and he was probably there on various other occasions. In June, 1372, the 

 duke issued instructions to John de Bradshaw, chief forester of Duffield Frith, to supply 

 Thomas de Wombwell with two ' roers ' (robora) for the repair of houses out of Shottle 

 park. In the winter of the same year the chief forester was ordered to supply Wombwell 

 with a doe, and Godfrey Foljambe with two does out of the forest. In August, 1372, when 

 the duke was at Ravensdale, he pardoned Thomas de Rykstok of a venison trespass in this 

 forest, and at the same time ordered six oaks fit for timber to be delivered to Edward 

 Fauconer. On 14 November he instructed John de Bradshaw to deliver to his tenants two 

 oaks for the repair of the bridge over the Derwent. On 10 February, 1373, the duke 

 wrote to the steward and keeper of the forest desiring that care should be taken to prevent 

 trees that had been blown down being abstracted by strangers without payment. Three 

 months later the duke authorized John de Bradshaw to have all the small wood blown down 

 in Postern park. In September, 1374, Robert de Swythyngton was appointed chief forester 

 in the place of John de Bradshaw. 



The chief forester received the duke's orders, on 19 May, 1381, to assign six oaks for 

 timber to the Friars Minor of Nottingham. 



There are various records of woodmotes extant in the time of Richard II. The most 

 interesting are those of 1387, 1395, and 1402.6 



The ministers' accounts of Duffield and Duffield Forest for 1398 contain an entry of 

 some interest. Under the head of honey and wax (from wild bees) in Duffield ward there is 

 no return, because, says the scribe, they pertain to the chapel of the chantry within the manor 

 of Belper. There are several entries for this year in connexion with Postern, such as the 

 making of a new gate to the park to be called Cowhouse gate, whilst 400 laths, 1,000 lath 

 nails, 100 spikes, shingles, etc., were supplied for the lodge. 6 



The accounts for 1401, when John de Abryggecourt was master forester and Henry del 

 Strete was reeve of Belper, continue the mention of a small boat that was kept at Hopping 

 Mill, apparently for ferrying purposes.? John Atte Barre was the collector for Duffield ward ; 

 his receipts therefrom were 13*. 6d. for 108 hens, 31. for pannage, 8j. for Derwent fishery, 

 and I2d. for Ecclesbourne fishery, 16 lOs. for agistment and pannage of Postern park, 

 7*. I2d. from woodmote perquisities, giving a total of 18 3*. 8 



When Henry duke of Lancaster, the son of John of Gaunt, came to the throne in 

 1399, Duffield Forest and the rest of the Duchy merged in the crown. In September, 

 1405, the king (Henry IV.) ordered the chief forester to supply twelve timber oaks towards 

 the repair of Duffield church.9 Henry V. almost immediately on his coming to the throne 

 in 1413, made a complete change in the personnel of the chief officials of this forest. Sir 

 Philip Leche was appointed master forester, and fresh appointments were also made to the 

 keeperships of all the parks, as well as deputy foresters. 



Among the Harley MSS. of the British Museum are two transcripts of the custumary 

 of the Honor of Tutbury, including Duffield Frith and the High Peak, with elaborate 

 accounts of the duties and authorities of the different officers. This custumary, which dates 

 from the end of Henry V. or beginning of Henry VI., is chiefly concerned with Tutbury 

 and Needwood Forest. The portions that specially relate to Duffield Frith or forest have 



1 Mins. Accts. Duchy of Lane. 6125. s Ibid. 6139. 



3 See Court Rolls, Duchy of Lane. -,Y 9 , srr etc - 

 * Duchy of Lane. Misc. Bks. vols. xiii. and xiv. 

 6 Duchy of Lane. Court Rolls, T V,, AV, t'n- 



6 Mins. Accts. Duchy of Lane. 368-6152. 



7 This boat, styled variously badell, batell, and battell, occurs several times in the reigns of Edward III. 

 and Richard II. 



8 Mins. Accts. Duchy of Lane. 368-6155. 



9 Misc. Bks. Duchy of Lane. vol. xv. fol. 7ob. 



416 



