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69-467: There were contemporaneous uprisings in Feckenham Forest and Leicester Forest . Riots also took place at Malvern Chase , where enclosure was largely successfully opposed. Riot and breaching enclosures were not the only form of opposition to disafforestation. In many cases, landowners and tenants felt the compensation they were offered was unfair, and they sought to challenge decisions through

138-463: A fine of £4,000 and a small annual rent of £20. Ashton was a courtier, like many of the beneficiaries of the policy of disafforestation. The grant was confirmed in June 1629, when the disforestation of the forest was decreed, so that the 2100 acres (8.5 km ) of woodland and waste in the forest parishes of Hanbury , Feckenham and Bradley could be partitioned between the crown, the manorial lords and

207-550: A considerable problem in the Middle Ages. Hunters were paid to kill wolves in Worcestershire, at the rate of 3 /- in the reign of Henry III , and Edward I specifically ordered his new chief forester Peter Corbet of Chaddesley to destroy wolves in 1280: to take and destroy in all forests and parks and other places within our counties of Glocester, Worcester, Hereford, Salop and Stafford, in which wolves are found,

276-604: A decree was issued in 1632 for the "disafforestation of the Chace of Malvern, and for freeing the lands within the bounds, limits, and jurisdictions thereof, of and from the game of deer there and the forest laws". By this decree (to obviate all disputes) one-third part only was to be severed and divided by commissioners, but the other two parts "shall remain and continue unto and amongst the commoners, and be held by them according to their several rights and interests, discharged and freed from his Majesty's game of deer there, and of and from

345-630: A large Parke abuttinge on Feckenham thoughe in the Paryshe of Hanbury. Neither wanted theare (in Hanbury) for the recreation our Kynges a fayre Parke sortinge in name with the Kinges vast forest, reachinge in former ages far and wide. A large walk for savage beastes, but now more commodyously chaunged into the civill habitations of many gentellmen, the freeholds of wealthy yeomen, and dwellings of industryous husbandmen. Feckenham Parke cominge by attainder to

414-617: A more wooded character. Part of the area near Feckenham also includes important peat wetlands. The council classifies these landscapes as 'Timbered Farmlands', 'Wooded Estatelands' and 'Wet Pasture Meadows'. The "Forest of Feckenham and Feckenham Wetlands" area is identified by the Council as a "hotspot for biodiversity" and a priority for protecting and developing ' green infrastructure ' especially to protect "traditional field patterns, boundaries and small woodlands [and to] [e]nhance stream corridors". The Forestry Commission identifies most of

483-663: A most daring and presumptuous manner presented themselves unto us with warlike weapons ( vizt ) pikes, forrest bills , pitchforks, swords and the like". On this occasion, the authorities acted to suppress this "flatt [flat] rebellion", tried to arrest the rioters and injured a number of them. These riots were part of wider disturbances including the Western Rising . Ultimately, the Crown and manorial lords were successful in enclosing their lands. The Crown allocation in Hanbury

552-625: The Civil War . The Protectorate tried to enclose a third of the forest in 1657, leaving two thirds to the Commoners. Although a relatively generous settlement, it caused resistance in April and May 1659, when fences of new enclosures were broken and cattle brought in to graze. Royalists including Edward Massey attempted to bring the discontented to the side of Charles II . After the restoration, Sir John Winter successfully reasserted his right to

621-670: The 13th century survive in The National Archives , together with one inquisition from 1377. Some rolls of the Swanimote court of the forest from the time of Henry VII also survive. There was considerable pressure on the wooded areas from the use of timber to fuel salt pans in Droitwich, a practice that had been recorded as far back as the Domesday Book. Demand for salt increased as the population grew. Much of

690-510: The 1660s. In the Forest of Dean, 22,000 acres were disafforested, with 4,000 going to manorial lords and freeholders in compensation in 1639. 18,000 acres were to go to the Crown, and granted to Sir John Winter . Riots ensued in 1641. Winter's claim to the lands was voided by Parliament in March 1642, in part because he had failed to pay. His assets were sequestrated for supporting the Crown during

759-628: The Council of the Marches instructing him to supervise the deputy Lieutenants in Worcestershire in suppressing further "rebellious attempts". They demanded this be done by any means necessary, as the disturbances did "carry with them so dangerous a consequence". 300 people rioted in Spring 1632 and were met by the Sheriff, a Deputy Lieutenant and a Justice of the Peace with forty armed men. The rioters "in

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828-476: The Crown was not complete disafforestation in the Forest of Dean , as both timber and iron ore could be exploited for the Crown's profit without leasing the lands. During James I and Charles I's reigns, sales of wood for use in iron works were increased. Some land was enclosed in order for ore to be dug. Around 3,000 acres were however granted to "courtiers and government officials" with the intention that they exploit

897-409: The Crown's allocation in Hanbury from 550 to 460 acres, but this was still not accepted locally. The new owners were ordered to enclose their lands by 1 March 1631. The relative generosity of the settlement to copyholders and freeholders may reflect the poverty of the local residents. The general policy of compensating poor and tenants, says Sharp, "was a recognition of the pressing social problem that

966-491: The Crown, Queen Elizabeth bestowed it on Sir Thomas Leighton, who married her neere Kynswoman Mistris Elizabeth Knolles in which family continuing towe descentes, it is devolved (by purchase) to the honourable house of the Lord Baron Coventree , Lord Keeper of the greate seale. The manor of Feckenham was sold by Leighton to Coventry in 1632, around a year after the forest was broken up. Placenames which record

1035-462: The Forest of Dean. However, in 1668 forest law was reestablished by Act of Parliament. in 1672, the King's ironworks were closed, to reduce pressure on the forest from mining. Feckenham Forest Feckenham Forest was a royal forest , centred on the village of Feckenham , covering large parts of Worcestershire and west Warwickshire . It was not entirely wooded, nor entirely the property of

1104-417: The Forest or Chace of Malvern to Sir Robert Heath , then Attorney-General, and Sir Cornelius Vermuyden . In the meantime many rights or claims of right had arisen by grant or long usages in the lapse of several centuries. When the grantees began to enclose the Chace the commoners and other persons interested disputed their right to do so. Several riots and disturbances took place in consequence. Nevertheless,

1173-506: The Hanbury Park area "is best viewed as an agriculturally despoilt part of the greater forest area. Field size is large, arable is the prelevant land use and biodiversity low." Worcestershire County Council 's documents identify that the larger area includes many "irregular fields with hedges rich in woody species indicating their origins from assarts cut into the ancient wildwood"; examples would include Astwood . Upper Bentley has

1242-517: The King's shall in future intermeddle in the woods saving in matters touching the King's venison". Land disputes are also recorded with the Abbotts of Evesham , who enclosed a large part of the forest, when it was at its greatest extent, arguing they had the right under old charters. Their wood at Sambourne was seized in 1280 as compensation. Records of inquisitions and the Forest Eyre in

1311-403: The King, and the rest to the manorial lords. The landowners had in turn to compensate their tenants for their losses. 554 acres went to tenants according to the size of their holdings, at around 4–6 acres to the yardland . Around 1.5–2 acres went to each cottage in addition. The Crown also compensated freeholders in other townships at a similar rate and gave 40 acres to the borough of Leicester for

1380-468: The King, his farmers, and the substantial landholders in the forests". At Feckenham, the 60 acres to the poor was divided into plots for the poor cottagers. In Hanbury, 80 acres went to cottagers, while 20 were given to the churchwardens to provide an income to distribute to the poor. The plots granted to cottagers can be estimated to be around 1.5 acres. At Bradley, ancient cottagers were to receive 1.5 acres, and newly erected cottages 1 acre. Evidence of

1449-528: The King. Rather, the King had legal rights over game, wood and grazing within the forest, and special courts imposed harsh penalties when these rights were violated. Courts and the forest gaol were located at Feckenham and executions took place at Gallows Green near Hanbury . The legal origins are not recorded, but the area may have been used by Edward the Confessor and his predecessors for hunting. Large areas of Worcestershire were subject to forest law at

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1518-655: The Lords however supported Fleetwood. An order was then made by the Lords praising Fleetwood for adding substantial income to the Crown but however to halt Star Chamber proceedings against the rioters. Buchanan Sharp concludes that "it may be surmised that a quid pro quo had been worked out: if the forest's inhabitants stopped rioting and petitioning, the government would drop all legal proceedings". The Crown made considerable compensation to local manorial lords and tenants as well as other residents. Five lords claimed around 2,755 acres were in use by their manors; of these 1,030 went to

1587-551: The Salt Way. Appointments could be of considerable prestige. The forest's titular head was the keeper, whose role was essentially honorary. Prominent appointments included Geoffrey Chaucer (1389) and Gilbert Talbot of Grafton (1492). Under the keeper were verderers who were the main enforcers of forest law, investigating infractions and trespasses. Their official symbol was an axe. Woodwards guarded royal timber rights and venison. Poaching and encroachment on royal rights

1656-541: The Snead, then onto lands granted in 1625 to Sir Edward Villiers , the half brother of the Duke of Buckingham . Villier's widow Lady Barbara Villiers 's agent Robert Bridges was shot at and threatened, iron ore pits filled in and enclosures broken. An effigy of Lady Villier's agent, the "odious projector" Sir Giles Mompesson was thrown into the pits and buried. In April 1631, 3,000 rioters with banners and drums removed most of

1725-563: The Western Rising than they actually played". Most of the rioters were artisans, including weavers and tailors. Many would have depended on forest reduce, such as tanners, glove makers and carpenters. They would have been unlikely to be entitled to compensation and so were among the most badly affected by disafforestation. Around 2,400 acres were sold by the Crown, with 750 acres being set aside to compensate tenants and cottagers. The poor of Mere received little, however. The object of

1794-580: The commoners. Sir Miles Fleetwood was charged with surveying the lands before the disafforestation. The response of the inhabitants was to refuse to accept their allocation of common land, on the grounds that they had only agreed to them "for fear and by terrible threats" and that their allocations did not compensate them for the loss of common rights. Ultimately 155 of them complained to the Court of Exchequer . A further commission in November 1630 reduced

1863-525: The final division of the lands. Legal challenges were also made, against both the rioters and the enclosures. The enclosures were challenged by local inhabitants, the Corporation of Leicester and borough residents who submitted petitions to the King and Privy Council . The Privy Council found nothing unjust about the dealings of Fleetwood however, so challenges were made in the House of Lords in June 1628.

1932-589: The forest and survived by using the common. On 28 March 1631, a riot took place in which three miles of fencing were thrown down. The rioting was taken highly seriously by the Privy Council , which was also disturbed by what it perceived as inaction by local militias and courts. Actions were brought against the rioters in Star Chamber in 1631. The Privy Council wrote to the Lord President of

2001-460: The forest area is mostly clay or sands and gravels. There are also peatland bogs to the south of Feckenham. At its greatest extent, the forest covered an area including Bromsgrove , Redditch , and Evesham , reaching to the gates of Worcester . It extended across the Warwickshire boundary as far as the river Arrow , where it adjoined the Forest of Arden . Its extent prior to Henry II

2070-575: The forest had therefore been cut, and was being farmed by the time the forest was abolished in 1629. The woodland can be seen on maps produced in this period, including that by Christopher Saxton and on the Sheldon Tapestry . Indeed, a great deal of the land in the forest had long been cultivated. The covert of the forest consisted of the walks of Walkwood and Berrow Wood (at Berrow Hill in Feckenham), but there were few deer, because of

2139-457: The forest in return for a fine of £4,000 and a nominal annual rent of £20. This was confirmed in June 1629, when the disforestation of the forest was decreed, so that the 2100 acres of woodland and waste in the forest parishes of Hanbury , Feckenham and Bradley could be partitioned between the crown, the manorial lords and the commoners. A further commission in November 1630 reduced the crown's allocation in Hanbury from 550 to 460 acres, but this

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2208-440: The forest lands in 1630, shortly before his death. Riots took place through 1626–1628. In December 1626, Star Chamber ordered the attachment (arrest) of fourteen men and twelve of their wives. Seven were brought to trial, and four of the men were fined. in 1628, soldiers destroyed some of the new enclosures, presumably incited to do so by the locals. Further trials at Star Chamber took place. Deer were killed and plants to be used in

2277-506: The forest laws, and the liberties and franchises of Forest and Chace, in such sort as by the said decree it doth and may appear". Further disputes with landowners resulted in clarifications that any land that was disafforested had to be in proportion to the quality of the land as a whole, so that the common was not the most meagre land. Further unrest took place during the run up to the Civil War, with episodes continuing to break out until

2346-511: The former forest area as having a high potential for forestry, ("Woodland Opportunity Priority 1' or 'Priority 2') while the agricultural land quality is mediocre or poor (Grade 3 or 4 agricultural land). 52°16′N 2°01′W  /  52.26°N 2.02°W  / 52.26; -2.02 Forest of Dean Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include

2415-497: The great flock of sheep that grazed in the forest. No less than 732 acres had been assarted out of these by 1591. however, the forest was clearly a major support for those using its lands for fuel, timber and livestock. It also provided fruit. The Lord Treasurer Robert Cecil began the work of disafforestation across the Royal estate. In Feckenham, the Crown raised £1100 from the sale of 1600 trees in 1609; and in 1612 £821 from

2484-487: The inadequacy of the settlement for the poorest residents comes from the legal challenge they made in 1630 to express dissatisfaction with the proceedings. Only 30 of the 184 complainants were entitled to compensation. The others were tenants on lands cleared without permission or subtenants who had no right of common. These residents were the main obstacle to reaching agreement on disafforestation. The area lacked important industries, so large numbers of cottagers had settled in

2553-784: The king's Council in June 1326. The 15th century were a period of decline of the forest courts in England, and weakness of the Crown. In 1444, Henry VI granted the Forest to Henry, Duke of Warwick to follow the male line. He died a year later without an heir. Forest law across the country was less and less enforced during the 16th century. The wooded areas were home to numerous species of animals including badgers , foxes , martens , otters , wild boars , wild cats and wolves . The main animals that were hunted as game were hare , red and fallow deer . Warrens sheltered stocks of pheasant , partridge and woodcock . There were also fishponds near Feckenham and deer parks. Wolves were

2622-402: The landowning gentry, of being behind the riots, and looked for evidence that they were involved in their organisation. Although the term 'Western Rising' implies an organised effort across the different threatened Royal forests, there is only occasional evidence that the different communities communicated or tried to co-ordinate their activities. Nevertheless, many tactics were shared, including

2691-429: The lands before the disafforestation. The response of the inhabitants was to refuse to accept their allocation of common land, on the grounds that they had only agreed to them by "for fear and by terrible threats" and that their allocations did not compensate them for the loss of common rights. Ultimately 155 of them complained to the Court of Exchequer . Near the end of 1627, William Ashton and William Turnor were let

2760-459: The lands for grazing, iron and coal mining and charcoal production. 17,000 acres was to be left to be worked by those claiming common land rights. Riots ensued. In March 1631, the enclosures were destroyed. An assembly of 500 men, "with two drummers, two coulers and one fife in a warlike and outrageous manner did assemble themselves together armed with gunnes, pokes, halberds and other weapons". They destroyed enclosures granted to Tristram Flower in

2829-665: The legal system. In at least one case, a town council, the Corporation of Leicester, and borough residents took legal action because of the effect on the poorest forest dwellers, who were likely to become a burden on the town's poor relief. The 1626–1632 riots were followed by further riots at many of the same locations during the English Civil War and the following Interregnum as disafforestation proceeded and continued to be contested. As early as 1608–1612, King James I of England 's minister Robert Cecil investigated

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2898-483: The like". On this occasion, the authorities acted to suppress this "flatt rebellion", tried to arrest the rioters and injured a number. Ultimately, the crown and manorial lords were successful in enclosing their lands. The crown allocation in Hanbury was rapidly sold off. The Lord of Hanbury and Feckenham manors, Sir Edward Leighton gained around 80 acres in Monkwood and 360 acres around Feckenham. Sir Miles Fleetwood

2967-568: The local freeholders and copyholders. They reported the following year, but the complex land relationships meant that a further commission in 1629 was needed to ensure compensation would be granted to everyone who was entitled to it. in November 1627, 4,000 acres were granted for 41 years to Phillip Jacobsen , the Crown jeweller, and the London merchant Edward Sewster . They paid £21,000, plus £11,000 as an entry fine, and £10,000 for game and timber and an ironworks licence. A further annual rent of £450

3036-491: The maintenance of their poor. However, compensation would not have been made to the many families who had established homes on assart land (i.e., those who were occupying part of the forest without permission). The June 1628 petition to the House of Lords claimed that the families in 100 ancient cottages would not be compensated and neither would many more living in newly built cottages. In 1630 Charles I granted one-third part of

3105-553: The manor of Bentley Pauncefoot in 1281 for rabbits. Some of the manors within the forest area were owned by the Bishop of Worcester , and a few were owned by the King, such as Feckenham, Inkberrow , Bromsgrove and Chaddesley Corbett . Inkberrow had a royal deer park. Forest law was especially harsh and a cause of considerable grievance. Governance centred on Feckenham where the courthouse and gaol were located. Executions took place at Gallows Green, between Hanbury and Droitwich on

3174-471: The new enclosures were burnt. Threats were made against the labourers employed by Fullerton to build the enclosures. Messengers from Star Chamber were assaulted and prisoners released. The Privy Council took the Gillingham riots very seriously, saying that "such like rude actions [must] not be tolerated in a well governed state". An attempt to restore order was made in late 1628, when the Sheriff of Dorset

3243-479: The presence of the forest may include: The most substantial areas are in the north west area as extended under Henry II, rather than the woodlands around Feckenham. Many are now managed by the Wildlife Trusts , who have a "Forest of Feckenham" living landscape project to restore some of the habitats: Very little of the original woodlands are left. Biological surveys of Worcestershire show some evidence of

3312-588: The presence of the forest, for instance ancient trees are found in greater density in the areas of former forest. The Forest of Feckenham area has been designated a "Biodiversity Enhancement Area" in the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy . This documents the area as comprising "ancient countryside with a mixed farmland mosaic of arable cultivation and temporary grass leys, ancient semi- natural woodland, old grassland, wetland, and traditional orchards". However, others claim

3381-610: The reform of Royal forests, aiming to increase the income due to the Crown. Cecil's investigations led to more intensive working of the Forest of Dean, and higher revenues from wood sold for iron smelting. Lionel Cranfield accelerated the policy in the 1620s with commissions to determine the scale of the Royal estates within forests and negotiate compensation for their sale and enclosure. Charles I of England 's decision in 1629 to govern without Parliament meant greater urgency in finding further sources of income which did not require legislation. Sale of Royal lands, especially Royal forests,

3450-502: The remaining enclosures elsewhere in the forest and attacked houses of the improvers. By the end of the month, all of the 1628 enclosures had been removed. Over the next two years, the rioters attempted to destroy enclosures as they were put back in place. On 26 July 1626 Sir John Bridgeman , John Essington (keeper of the king's woods in Wiltshire) and others were given a commission to survey Braydon Forest and compound (settle) with

3519-420: The sale of assart lands. In the following years, more wood was cut down. King James 's Lord Treasurer Cranfield commissioned surveys into assart lands of various forests, including Feckenham in 1622, in order to increase revenues from the forests. This accelerated the wider policy of disafforestation. Near the end of 1627, William Ashton and William Turnor were granted a lease of the forest in return for

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3588-530: The same reasons. Considerable pressure on the wooded areas was the result of the use of timber to fuel salt pans in Droitwich , a practice that had been recorded as far back as the Domesday Book . Demand for salt increased as the population grew. Much of the forest that had therefore been cut was being farmed by the time the forest was abolished in 1629. Sir Miles Fleetwood was charged with surveying

3657-752: The settlement to be made legally binding, the Attorney General then brought an action against the tenants in the Court of the Exchequer, which issued the final decree in May 1627, allowing for adjustments to the compensation were made by a commission which finalised arrangements in October. Much of the land was granted to Fullerton in 1625. The terms were renegotiated in 1628 to help him repay debts. Further arrangements were made to ensure these debts were paid from

3726-603: The time of the Domesday Book . Forest law itself evolved greatly in the early Norman period. The forest boundaries were extended greatly during the reign of Henry II, expanding from 34 to 184 square miles. The forest boundaries were reduced back in 1301. The wood was encroached to produce salt in Droitwich , and was quite reduced by the time it was disafforested during the reign of King Charles I in 1629. The process of disafforestation created considerable social unrest and riots. A few areas of ancient forest still remain near Dodford and Chaddesley Corbett. The underlying geology of

3795-569: The use of traditional "Lady Skimmington " costume and parades to show community disapproval and organise action to break down enclosures. In arrest warrants, leaders were often identified as " alias Skimmington". The first riots were in Gillingham Forest, Dorset. Commissions headed by Sir James Fullerton were sent in February and May 1625, to work out compensation for freeholders and copyholders in Gillingham and Mere . In order for

3864-475: The west, to Stone , Chaddesley Corbett and Alvechurch in the north, and Redditch , Studley and Alcester in the east. These boundaries are described in an official Great Perambulation made for Edward I in 1300-1, which also sets out the then extent of the forest. The Perambulation also recommended the reduction of the royal forest to its earlier size, to include only the Parish of Feckenham, Bradley ,

3933-444: The western part of Hanbury, parts of Stoke Prior and Bentley Pauncefoot . Foxlydiate and Headless Cross were on the northeastern boundary. Disputes about the forest boundary continued. Edward II expanded the use of forest law in the 1320s, and areas again fell within expanded forest boundaries. Robert Burdet complained that his woodlands at Arrow had been re-afforested into Feckenham. His and other complaints were heard in at

4002-490: The wolves, with men, dogs and his own devices in every way he thinks proper. However, for a long time wolf populations were managed, rather than destroyed, as they were hunted for sport. Wolves were eventually eliminated in England in the reign of Henry VII . The sporting rights pertaining to the forest belonged to the king. He had rights over hunting game, feeding pigs on acorns and beech nuts; and timber and ‘underwood’. Rights of warren were granted to Grimbald Pauncefoote in

4071-509: Was an obvious means of raising short term funds. The forests were also increasingly seen as insufficiently productive. However, many people depended on forest lands for income. As forest law had for many years not been enforced except as a means to raise income, land had been encroached and many people were living there without permission. Timber and grazing rights were very important for commoners. The rights to common had been created through custom rather than legal entitlement: forest law itself

4140-421: Was around 34 square miles (88 km ), encompassing an area with Tardebigge in the north, including Hanbury , approaching Droitwich in the west and approaching Alcester in the south east. It was extended, along with many other forests, during Henry II's reign to encompass about 184 square miles (480 km ). This stretched from Evesham in the south, close to Worcester, up to Droitwich and Wychbold in

4209-603: Was commissioned to survey and disafforest Leicester in December 1626 and March 1627. Commoners were to receive compensation where they could show a valid claim; many would not be able to, if they had settled of their own accord. The Attorney General then ensured that the arrangements were confirmed by the court of Exchequer in February 1628. The King then let 1,598 acres to nearby landowners for "fines" of £7,760 and small annual rents. Riots occurred in response, destroying existing enclosures in spring 1627 and again in 1628 following

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4278-424: Was destroyed, belonging to a servant who had reported some of the rioters to the authorities. When the sheriff and a court official attempted to suppress the riots on behalf of Star Chamber, the crowds shot at them. As Feckenham, Leicester and Malvern were further afield, disafforestation riots in these places were not classed as part of the Western Rising by contemporaries, but took place at the same time for roughly

4347-438: Was extremely harsh. The participants of the disorders following enclosure tended to be artisans and waged or self-employed labourers. Many were therefore resident within the forest with small holdings, rather than being peasants primarily dependent on agricultural production. In the Forest of Dean, many were miners whose rights to dig for ore were threatened. Contemporaries within government suspected local men of standing, such as

4416-564: Was instructed to arrest 100 rioters. Faced with a much larger and well-armed crowd, he retreated. Particular efforts were made by the government to arrest Henry Hoskins, a yeoman, John Phillips, a tanner and John Williams, believing them to be serious ringleaders. However, Sharp concludes that "although these men were important as leaders of riots in their home areas, the government's fears were grounded upon little more than unsubstantiated rumors ... these rumors have misled modern historians into ascribing Hoskins, Phillips and Williams larger roles in

4485-551: Was not simply a matter of the poor taking game and, when caught, being executed. Many of the documented offences involved either noblemen or churchmen and were punished by heavy fines. The Bishop of Worcester was fined 500 marks (£333/6/8d) in 1290 for "trespasses of vert and venison" and a further £200 in 1291. Under Henry III, however, the Church of St Mary, that is Worcester Cathedral , was granted rights to hunt in their own forests, so that "no forester, verderer or other bailiffs of

4554-498: Was rapidly sold off and is now known as Forest Farm. The Lord of Hanbury and Feckenham manors, Sir Edward Leighton, gained around 80 acres in Monkwood and 360 acres around Feckenham, including the Queen's Coppice, Ranger's Coppice, Timber Coppice, Fearful Coppice and Red Slough Coppice. Feckenham Park was described some time after 1632 by Thomas Habingdon, and gives a picture of its transformation from forest to farmlands: The king had

4623-475: Was still not accepted locally. The new owners were ordered to enclose their lands by 1 March 1631, but on 28 March, a riot took place in which three miles of fencing were thrown down. 300 people rioted the following year and were met by the Sheriff, a deputy lieutenant and a justice of the peace and forty armed men. The rioters "in a most daring and presumptuous manner presented themselves unto us with warlike weapons (vizt) pikes, forrest bills, pitchforks, swords and

4692-405: Was the ultimate cause of the riots. The total sums seem quite generous, but the amount disbursed to each cottager was a mere pittance. With one hand the Crown deprived the large and growing population of poor cottagers in each forest an essential part of their income – free access to thousands of acres of waste ground – and with the other offered to them the crumbs left over from the feast consumed by

4761-534: Was to be paid They were permitted to enclose the lands and lease them to new tenants. As with Gillingham, the next step was to establish the precise settlement and rights through actions at the Court of Exchequer, which confirmed the settlement in 1628 and 1630. Riots broke out in May–June 1631 when enclosures made by Jacobsen's agent Simon Keble were destroyed. Groups of perhaps over 1,000 rioters also threatened to kill Keble and destroy his workmen's houses. At least one

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