OF THE FOREST LAWS. 



A forest is a franchise royal, created by the king, and by him 

 set apart, and appointed for the generation, feeding, and nourish- 

 ment of wild beasts of venery and chase, and also for beasts and 

 fowls of warren ; (no subject can have, or enjoy a forest, with- 

 out special grant from the king, under the great seal of Eng- 

 land) having particular laws, privileges, and officers belonging 

 thereunto, for the preservation and continuance thereof, and of 

 the vert and venison therein. 



2. It is a circuit of ground, stored with great woods, and 

 thickets for the shelter, residence, and safety of wild beasts, and 

 fowls of the forest, chase, and warren ; and is also replenished 

 with fruitful pastures, arid lands for their continual feeding and 

 subsistence ; being privileged to rest, and abide therein under 

 the king's protection, for his royal pastime, diversion, and 

 pleasure. 



3. A forest is circumscribed, or bounded with irremovable 

 and indelible marks, meers, and bounds, known and preserved 

 either by matter of record or by prescription. 



4. It consists of eight things, viz. 1. of soil, 2. of covert, 3. 

 of laws, 4. courts, 5. judges, 6. officers, 7. game, 8. bounds. 



Note, a forest is not a place privileged generally for all manner 

 of wild beasts or fowls, but only of those that are of forest, chase, 

 and warren ; the wild beasts of the forest, or beasts of venery, 

 being these five and no other, viz. the hart, the hind, the hare, 

 the boar, and the wolf. And although the hart and the hind 

 are beasts of the same kind, or species, yet, nevertheless, they 

 are accounted two several beasts, because they are of two several 

 seasons for hunting : the season for hunting the hart being in 

 the summer, and the time for hunting the hind beginning when 

 the season of the hart is over. 



x3 



