ASHDOWN FOREST. 163 
not satisfied with this, but desired to have an absolute 
grant of the Forest. The Earl of Bristol, however, 
had the greater influence at Court, and obtained a lease 
of it for ninety-nine years, together with the Manor 
of Duddleswell and the Honor of Aquila. In the lease 
then given, the King granted and declared the dis- 
afforesting of the Forest and Chase, and the disparking 
of the park and all woods, grounds, etc., within the 
limits thereof; and as a result of this the disafforesting 
of Ashdown took place. Leave was also given to 
the Earl of Bristol to plough up, divide, and inclose 
the Forest, and to allot to such persons as had rights of 
common and other rights, privileges and profits in it, 
parts of the soil in recompense and satisfaction of 
their rights, all such allotments to be confirmed by 
decree of the Court of the Duchy of Lancaster. There 
was also a grant of warren in the Forest to Lord Bristol, 
and a rent was reserved of £200 a year. 
Lord Bristol thereupon began to inclose under this 
lease. The Commoners strenuously resisted, and litiga- 
tion followed. A suit was commenced by Lord Bristol 
against the Commoners, but was not heard, probably 
owing to the forfeiture of the lease of the former. 
About the same time the dispute between Lord Dorset 
and Lord Bristol.was settled by a renunciation by the 
former of his interest as Keeper of the Forest, on 
payment to him of £100 a year for ninety-nine years. 
Shortly after this, Lord Bristol failed to pay his 
rent to the Duchy, and consequently his lease was for- 
feited; and in 1673 a fresh lease was granted to 
L 2 
