English Coppices and Copse woods. 



29Q 



The results of this survey made during- 1607 and 1608 

 were evidently far from encouraging, because the Sovereign 

 became imbued with a strong desire to put matters on a 

 Toetter footing both in the Crown forests and in other private 

 woodlands. Hence came the celebrated Proclamation 

 for the Preservation of Woods (Patent Roll, 5 th July, 1608; 

 -6, James I.), to the following effect : — 



''Forasmuch as by a late view and survey had and made of the most part of 

 our woods in divers counties of this realm it is certified unto us that great spoils and 

 -devastations are committed both within our Forests, Chases, Parks and wastes not only 

 by bordering inhabitants but even by Woodwards, Keepers, and other of our own 

 inferior Officers such as ought to have had the Chief care of the preservation thereof, 

 - . . . We therefore as respective of the good of our posterities as our own have 

 endeavoured to take course to stop the said abuses and all others too long practised 

 and to work the means not only of better preservation of our said woods in times to 

 -come but also of a present multiplication and increase of timber and wood to all 

 future ages and to the end that our care may appear to extend to the preservation and 

 increase of timber as well in general to others as to ourselves. We have thought 

 .meet by this our proclamation not only to divulge our special pleasure touching our 

 own woods, but also straightly to command and charge all our loving subjects in 

 general that in their own woods they presume not hereafter to defraud the true mean- 

 ing of our Statutes in these cases provided by cutting and felling the young storers 

 when they usually fell their underwoods which the Statute intended and appointed to 

 be altogether preserved for timber, wherein if they shall be found to offend they are 

 to expect no favor as doing an apparent wrong to the Commonwealth beside the 

 breach of law and our royal commandment. And We do also straightly command 

 our loving subjects that for avoiding of future spoils they nor any of them presume 

 from henceforth to commit any act under w-hatsoever colour or pretence not warranted 

 in the true intent of our Laws or the grants made unto them whereby our said woods 

 may be diminished, defaced or abused. And further that neither our Keepers of 

 Walks or Rangers or any other Officer or Officers whatsoever in Forests, Chases, or 

 Parks do under colour of browse for our deer, firewood, or fuel for themselves or other 

 pretence whatsoever presume to cut or take more than shall necessarily suffice with- 

 out wasteful expense or colourable sale, etc And that no inhabitant in 



or near our Forests, Chases, or Wastes. . . . . cut or take any young saplings 

 of oak, elm, ash, beech or any other tree likely to prove timber growing in any of our 

 said Forests Chases or Wastes nor to enter into any of our Coppices of underwood to 

 cut spoil or waste the same under any pretence or colour except it be for necessary 



cases and the same lawfully warranted etc. — [5th July, 6 James I.] 



(By the King himself.) 



King James, however, did more than merely issue a pro- 

 clamation. He caused what was practically a rough and 

 simple Working Plan or Scheme of Management to be drawn 

 up for the treatment of the Crown woods scattered over 

 various counties ; and this seems the first instance of any 

 systematic attempt having ever been made in England to 

 work the Crown coppices and copsewoods as a whole ( Working 

 Circle) according to some definite and well-considered method. 



