ANCIENT AND MODERN FORESTRY 13 
woodlands regarded as ‘royal hunting grounds’ 
(silva regis) appear to have been under the 
administration of four thanes or Poegend in each 
province, while other four Lespegend or thanes 
of lower rank ranged the forests in charge of 
‘vert and venison,’ the woodlands and the 
animals of the chase. Under each of these again 
were two woodmen or foresters of lower rank 
called Tinemen, who performed the more servile 
work of watchers and keepers. All of these 
officials were mounted and armed. The thanes 
administered justice and disciplined their subor- 
dinates, but were answerable only to the king, 
much in the same way as the Commissioners of 
Woods and Forests are now responsible to Parlia- 
ment. Deer, wild cattle, hares, and rabbits were 
enclosed, but all men were allowed to shoot wild 
boars, wolves, and foxes outside the enclosures. 
Villeins and burghers were liable for the service 
of enclosure and stalling the big game, and for 
this purpose every two villeins had to keep a dog. 
One of the first steps taken by William I. 
after the Conquest was to reserve to the Crown 
all the old folk-land remaining unenclosed, and 
the crown lands were further increased by the 
