LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
DISAPPOINTMENT expressed by others and felt by myself that a History of the Forest of Dean should never have appeared in print, and an impression that a considerable amount of interesting information relative to it might be brought together, combined I may add with the fact that there seemed no probability of such a work being otherwise undertaken until old usages and traditions had passed away, have induced me to attempt its compilation. I here venture to publish the fruit of my labours, in the hope that the reader may derive some portion of that pleasure which the prosecution of the work has afforded me, and trusting that the same indulgent consideration which led the officers of the Government, the gentlemen of the neighbourhood, and many of the intelligent Foresters to aid in the execution, will by them and the public be extended to the work itself.
I have endeavoured to make it as complete as possible by supplying every known circumstance, mostly in the words of the original narrator, and yet trying so to harmonize the whole as to engage the attention of the general reader, but more particularly of the residents in the district, by acquainting them with the past and present state of one of the most interesting and remarkable localities in the kingdom.
CHAPTER I.-
.-A.D. 1307-1612.
Origin of the name "Dean"? The Buck Stone and other Druidical
remains -"The Scowles," &c., and other ancient iron-mines, worked
in the time of the Romans Symmond's Yat, and other military
earthworks - Domesday Book, and investment of this Forest in
the Crown William I., and probable date of Free Miners' Fran-
chise - Castle of St. Briavel's first built; Giraldus - Flaxley Abbey
founded King John at Flaxley and St. Briavel's The constables
of St. Briavel's, and wardens of the Forest Date of the ruins
of St. Briavel's Castle - Iron-forges licensed by Henry III.
Perambulation of 1282, and first "justice seat" Seventy-two
itinerant forges in the Forest
- Perambulation of 1302
Newland Church founded
Date of miners' laws and privileges
Edward I., grants in the Forest
Free miners summoned to the sieges
of Berwick, &c. Edward II., grants in the Forest - Edward III.,
ditto - Richard II., ditto Henry IV., ditto
Henry VI., ditto Severn barges stopped by Foresters
ward IV., and retreat hither of the Earl Rivers and Sir J. Wood-
ville-Edward VI. farmed the Forest to Sir A. Kingston - Design
of the Spaniards to destroy the Forest Papers from Sir J. Cæsar's
collection, viz. Sir J. Winter's negotiations relative to the iron-
works, &c. - Blast furnaces erected
CHAPTER II.-A.D. 1612-1663.
Grants in the Forest to Earl of Pembroke Mining restricted to the
foresters Iron cinders of old workings re-smelted in the new
furnaces Last justice seat held in 1635, extending the limits of
the Forest to those of Edward I.- Grant to E. Terringham
Forest surveyed in 1635 - Sale of the woods to Sir J. Winter
Disturbances of the Civil War at Coleford, Highmeadow, Ruardean-
Adventures of Sir J. Winter at Westbury, Little Dean, Newnham,
Lydney - Events on the north side of the Forest - Incidents of
the Protectorate, riots and devastations of the Forest - Sir J.
Winter's patent restored Effects of a great storm Survey of the
Forest in 1662 Mr. J. Pepys and Sir J. Winter on the Forest
The latter resumes his fellings - Inhabitants suggest replanting and
enclosing the Forest Act of 20 Charles II., c. 3-
licence confirmed
CHAPTER III.-A.D. 1663-1692.
First "Order" of forty-eight free miners in Court 8,487 acres enclosed
and planted—Speech-house begun --- Second order of the Miners' Court
– The King's iron-works suppressed - The six "walks" and lodges
planned out - All mine-works forbidden in the enclosures - Third
order of the Miners' Court · Enclosures extended - Fourth order of
the Miners' Court - Speech-house finished
The Forest perambu-
Fifth order of the Miners' Court Proposal to resume the
Sixth and seventh orders of the Miners'
King's iron-works rejected
Court · Riots connected with the Revolution
Miners' Court - Dr. Parsons's account of the Forest
CHAPTER IV.-A.D. 1692-1758.
Condition of the Forest described, and management examined
Depredations Ninth and tenth orders of the Miners' Court·
Timber injured by the colliers - The Forest in its best state, 1712
Eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth orders of the Miners' Court-
Fourteenth order of the Miners' Court - Swainmote Court dis-
continued
Forest
Extension of coal-works and injury of trees
neglected Fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth orders of the
Miners' Court - Grant of 9,200 feet of timber to the Gloucester
Infirmary
CHAPTER V.-A.D. 1758-1800.
Mr. John Pitt suggested 2,000 acres to be planted The Forest sur-
veyed Great devastations and encroachments The roads - Act
of 1786, appointing a Commission of Inquiry - New plantations
recommended. - Messrs. Drivers employed to report on the Forest
Corn riots - Mitcheldean market
CHAPTER VI.-A.D. 1800-1831.
Lord Nelson's remarks on the Forest Free miners endeavour to
restore their Court of Mine Law - White Mead Park planted - Act
of 1808, authorising the replanting of the Forest, six commissioners
appointed for that purpose Six enclosures formed in 1810
- Inquiry as to the best mode of felling timber - Last of the
enclosures formed 1816 First Forest church consecrated High
Meadow Woods purchased general condition of the Forest
Unsuccessful efforts to restore the encroachments to the Crown
Plantations mended over Ellwood and the Great Doward Estates
Single trees planted out by the roads
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