( 9 ) 



fairly extended, as I have defcribed them, to 

 the bay of Southampton, the river Avon, and 

 the fea. 



In thofe days it was a matter of Httle 

 ceremony either to make, or to inlarge a 

 foreft. Thus faith the law : " It is allowed 

 to our fovereign lord the king, in refpecl of 

 his continual care, and labour, for the pre- 

 fervation of the whole realm, among other 

 privileges, this prerogative, to have his places 

 of recreation, and pailime, wherefoever he 

 will appoint. For as it is at the liberty, 

 and pleafure of his grace to referve the wild 

 beafts, and the game to himfelf, for his only 

 delight and pleafure -, fo he may alfo at his 

 will and pleafure, make a forefl for them to 

 abide in*/' 



Agreeably to this fpirit of defpotifm, the 

 royal forefts were regulated. Each had it's 

 laws, and government ; and as thefe diifered 

 from each other in very few particulars, all 

 were equally grievous to the fubjed:. Forefl:- 

 law indeed was one of the greateft incroach- 

 ments that ever was made upon the natural 



* See Manwood on foreft-law, chap. ii. 



rights 



