ANCIENT AND MODERN FORESTRY 7 
Somewhat later, during the Saxon and Danish 
periods, Britain was not only still thickly tree- 
clad, but the then scanty population was mainly 
dependent on the woodlands for many kinds of 
food. Little attention was at that time paid 
to the enclosure or improvement of land. The 
woods abounded with game; and the chase, 
enjoyed in common, formed one of the chief 
means of subsistence. 
When husbandry began to receive some little 
care and attention under later Saxon rule, lands 
were gradually enclosed and improved for better 
cultivation; while the wild animals of the woods, 
destructive to tillage crops, were driven away 
from such enclosures and confined, so far as 
possible, within the depths of the forests. As 
these recesses of the wilder tracts had never 
been taken into account in the early clearance 
of woodland for cultivation, they gradually be- 
came something like sanctuaries for the wild 
beasts; and, naturally, a gradual evolution took 
place from that condition to absolute reservation 
for the profit and amusement of the great thanes 
and earls, and finally for the recreation of the 
sovereign himself. But every freeholder still 
