{ 15 ) 



law, it involved greater numbers within it's 

 influence*. 



At the tirr^e, when the feverities exercifed 

 under foreft-laws were aboUflied, all the in- 

 croachments, which the crown had made on 

 the confines of forefts, were given back. 

 Then it was that New-foreft was reduced 

 within it's ancient bounds ; and all thole lands, 

 which bordered on the bay of Southampton, 

 the river Avon, and the fea, were reftored to 

 their old pofTeflbrs. Thefe lands were then 

 diflinguiflied by the name of the purlieus of the 

 forefi ; and their owners, at leaft fome of them, 

 by way of indemnification for injuries received, 

 enjoyed feveral privileges, particularly the right 

 of commoning in the foreft ; and of killing 

 trefpaffing deer, provided they were killed 

 before they entered the foreft, which was al- 

 ways efteemed their fandluaryf-. 



The fhape of New-foreft is a kind of irre- 

 gular triangle, wide at the fouth, and drawing 



* See an account of the feverity of forefl-lavvs, and the original 

 of game-laws in Blackftone's Com. v. 4. 

 f See Manwood ou foreft-!a\v. 



to 



