BERNWOOD ANCIENT HUNTING FOREST PROJECT

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DOCUMENTARY AND CARTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE RELATING TO THE MEDIEVAL LANDSCAPE AND SOCIETY OF THE BERNWOOD FOREST PROJECT AREA

MARK PAGE CENTRE FOR ENGLISH LOCAL HISTORY UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER JUNE 2002 2

CONTENTS

1. Bernwood Forest Records in the Public Record Office 3 2. Vills summoned to inquire into breaches of forest law, 1255 5 3. Forest Eyre, 15 November 1255 6 4. Bernwood Forest Regard, 11 November 1342 12 5. Bernwood Forest Regard, 11 September 1363 14 6. Forest Eyre, Easter 1272 16 7. Bernwood Forest Perambulation, 1228 19 8. Bernwood Forest Perambulation, 1298 20 9. Manorial Records of the Bernwood Forest Project Area 22 10. Maps and Plans of the Bernwood Forest Project Area 29 11. Assessment of the documentary and cartographic evidence 30

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1. Bernwood Forest Records in the Public Record Office

The Public Record Office holds a large number of documents which relate to the visitation of the royal forests of by the king’s justices of the forest in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The documents record the names of those individuals who were accused of breaches of forest law and the nature of their offence. The two most common offences were the killing of deer and the felling of trees.

In the thirteenth century breaches of forest law were usually investigated by justices on eyre. In the fourteenth century these were generally replaced by inquests. Throughout the Middle Ages the local forest officials made periodic inspections of the woodland in their forests known as regards. Perambulations of the forest were conducted whenever changes to the boundaries of the forest were being considered by the king.

All these documents were written in Latin on parchment rolls. Those surviving for Bernwood Forest are listed below and a sample have been translated. The number and variety of these records is not sufficient to make Bernwood one of the best documented royal forests in England. Nevertheless, enough survives to enable a relatively detailed study to be made of the impact of the forest on the settlements within its bounds.

In particular, it is possible to determine which vills were most frequently summoned to investigate breaches of forest law (see section 2). This evidence can be interpreted in one of two ways. Either these places represent the parts of the forest where offences were most likely to occur, or they reveal the practical limits of the jurisdiction of the king’s forest officials, whatever the theoretical extent of the forest may have been.

E32/2 Plea Roll of the Buckinghamshire Forest Eyre, before William le Breton, Nicholas de Romsey, Geoffrey de Lewknor and Simon de Trop, begun at on 15 November 1255. m.1 Essoins; pleas of venison in Bernwood and Whittlewood. m.4 Amercements for defaults and for trespasses against the venison. m.6 Enrolment of the regard for Bernwood made in 1255. m.7 Essoins. m.8 Names of the woodwards in Bernwood and Whittlewood. m.10 Enrolment of the regard for Whittlewood made in 1250.

E32/3 Regard Roll of Bernwood made at Martinmas 1342. E32/4 Regard Roll of Bernwood made at Brill on 11 September 1363.

E32/137 Plea Roll of the Oxfordshire Forest Eyre, before Roger de Clifford, Matthew de Columbariis, Nicholas de Romsey and Reginald de Akle, begun at at Easter 1272. m.10 Pleas of vert and venison in Bernwood.

E32/292 Special inquest concerning Bernwood taken at Brill, 21 February 1290. 4

E32/293 Inquest concerning the state of the forest of Bernwood taken at Brill, 29 June 1363. E32/294 Inquest concerning the state of the forest of Bernwood taken at Brill,19 September 1364. E32/295 Inquest concerning the state of the forest of Bernwood taken at Brill, 18 September 1365. E32/296 Inquest concerning the state of the forest of Bernwood taken at Headington, 21 April 1371. E32/297 Inquest concerning the state of the forest of Bernwood taken at Forest Hill, 16 October 1372. E32/344 Inquest concerning the state of the forest of Bernwood taken at Oxford, 15 February 1376.

E146/1/8 Fifteenth-century copy of a perambulation of the forest of Bernwood made in 1298 by Master John Gylberd and Roger de Hegham.

E146/1/10 File of the forest eyre of Bernwood, begun at Brill on 21 August 1489, before Sir John Ratcliff, Lord Fitzwalter and Sir Reginald Bray. m.1 Presentments of the verderers and regarders. m.6 Swanimote court rolls, 1487-9. m.8 Claims to liberties. m.9 Writs, jury panels, etc.

C47/11/1 [14] Perambulation of the forest of Bernwood, 1228. C47/11/1 [15] Perambulation of the forest of Bernwood, 1228. C47/11/3 [22] Inquest as to trespass in Bernwood for which John de Sortele and Robert Tripelard have been imprisoned, 1280. C47/12/10 [13] Perambulation of the forests of Shotover and Bernwood, Oxfordshire, 1300. C47/12/10 [14] Perambulation of the forests of Wychwood, Shotover, Bernwood and Whittlewood, Oxfordshire, 1300. C47/12/11 [7] Inquest as to the perambulations of Yorkshire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire, 1316. 5

2. Vills summoned to inquire into breaches of forest law, 1255

Representatives of the four vills closest to the scene of a breach of forest law were required to make an inquiry into the circumstances of the offence if these were unclear. The distribution of these vills may give an impression of the practical limits of forest jurisdiction at the time of the eyres.

Vill Number of appearances

Arncott 1 1 Brill 3 2 Fieldham 1 Fulbrook 1 1 Ludgershall 5 1 Oakley 1 Piddington 1 Tetchwick 2 Woodham 1 3 6

3. Buckinghamshire Forest Eyre, 15 November 1255

PRO, E32/2 m.1 Pleas of the Venison in the Bailiwick of Bernwood

1 It is presented by the foresters and verderers that on Wednesday before the feast of All Saints in the 38th year [of Henry III, 29 October 1253] Geoffrey de St Martin, William Baynel and William son of Walter Alexander were captured with greyhounds in the clearing of Ludgershall, with whom was found the moiety of one buck. The greyhounds were sent to earl Richard [of Cornwall]. Geoffrey de St Martin, William Baynel and William son of Walter Alexander now come and are detained in prison. Afterwards William Baynel came and fined for himself and William son of Walter, his man, for 100s. by pledge of Walter le Frankel of ‘Chaldeston’, Geoffrey Hervy of the same, John Hutting of the same, Adam le Carpenter of the same, William Faber of the same, Hugh ad Portam of the same. Geoffrey de St Martin made fine for 5 marks by pledge of Henry de Cudelinton in Easington, Senyvus son of Arnold of the same, Gilbert Chop of the same, Adam Cuff of the same, Richard son of Philip of the same, Henry le Franceis of the same, Robert de Icford of the same, Thomas de Echecot and Adam son of Walter.

m.1d 2 It is presented by the same and proved that on the eve of St Barnabas in the 34th year [of Henry III, 10 June 1250] William Mathou of Claydon was captured with one fawn in the forest of Claydon, who came and is detained in prison. Afterwards he was pardoned by the king because he is poor.

3 It is presented by the same and proved that on Thursday before the feast of St James the Apostle in the 34th year [of Henry III, 21 July 1250] Thomas Michel and Adam son of Robert of Oakley were captured with one doe, who came and are detained in prison. Afterwards they made fine for 14s. by pledge of Peter le Tailur of Oakley, William Warin and Robert Spark.

4 It is presented by the same and proved that on St Leonard’s day in the 32nd year [of Henry III, 6 November 1247] Alexander Capell’ of Wotton Underwood, and two men with him whose names are not known because they were not captured, fled. Roger Clericus of the same was captured for the same deed. Alexander is dead and was essoined by death, so nothing from his pledges. His chattels of 11s. 9d. were handed over to Richard de la Rokell and Philip de Hornl’ in Wotton Underwood in order that they produce them before the justices and now they do not produce them, so they are in mercy and answerable for the 11s. 9d. and for one bag with relics. Roger does not come because he is dead and was essoined by death, so nothing from his pledges. Afterwards it was attested by William Tuluse, forester, that the said Roger is not dead. … Roger Clericus was attached by Richard de la Rokell of Wotton Underwood, Hugh de Boveria of the same, Philip Sumonitor of the same, John de Wynchedon, Adam Sebon and Nicholas le Synker, so all of them are in mercy. An inquest was made of the malefactors in the company of the said Alexander Capell’ by the four vills of Wotton Underwood, Woodham (Hamme), Ludgershall and Tetchwick, which was 7

able to find out nothing about his company, and because they did not come fully, so they are in mercy. … Roger Clericus is exacted and outlawed.

m.2 5 It is presented by the same and proved that on the morrow of the Ascension in the 35th year [of Henry III, 26 May 1251] Hugh Molend’ of Ambrosden was found leaving the forest with one bow which he handed over to Richard his brother going with him, and because he was under suspicion the mill which was in his keeping was searched in which was found one bow with four barbed arrows. Hugh and Richard now come and it is proved by the same that Hugh, before his arrest, was a malefactor of venison, so he is detained in prison, and because Richard received a bow against the assize of the forest, carried it in the forest and was in the company of Hugh his brother, a malefactor, so he is in mercy. Afterwards he made fine for half a mark by pledge of John Sewine of Chilton and Walter son of John of the same. Afterwards came Hugh Molend’ and fined for 1 mark by pledge of Robert Thorold, Richard Boly, Walter Thorel, John Tredepol and Thomas son of Philip.

6 It is presented by the same and proved that on Sunday before the feast of St Nicholas in the 35th year [of Henry III, 4 December 1250] a certain doe was found dead between the wood of ‘Malecumbe’ and the field of Brill. An inquest was made by the four nearest vills, Brill, Ludgershall, Dorton and Oakley, which said that it died of murrain, and because they did not come fully to the inquest, so they are in mercy.

7 It is presented by the same and proved that on Wednesday before Lent in the 35th year [of Henry III, 1 March 1251] Robert le Frankelayn of was found carrying in his grain the corpse of one fawn cut into pieces. He came and is detained in prison. Afterwards he came and fined for 10s. by pledge of William son of Simon of Brill.

8 It is presented by the same and proved that on Friday after the feast of St Barnabas the Apostle in the 35th year [of Henry III, 16 June 1251] Jordan de Marisco of , John son of Walter of the same, Richard Brokerye of the same, Richard Pud of the same, John Pud of the same and Thomas son of Walter of Ledall took one beast in the forest of Bernwood and brought it to the house of Robert Pud of Ledall. Richard Broker’ of Worminghall, John Pud of the same and Thomas son of Walter of Ledall came and are detained in prison. Jordan did not come because he is dead and was essoined by death, so nothing from his pledges. John son of Walter of Worminghall did not come and was imprisoned at and handed over by the bailiff to Richard de Hadinham, Brystward le Juvene, Simon le Juvene, Simon de la Hese, Robert son of Richard, Roger Godenave, Ralph de Winchedon, William Faber, Robert Coling, Thomas Coling, John son of Roger and Walter Tuluse, and now they do not produce him, so to judgement. The sheriff is ordered to make them come. Richard Pud of Worminghall does not come and appear in court on the first day, and it is attested by the verderers that he lies infirm at the verderer’s hospital so that he is not able to come without danger to his life. Robert Pud of Ledall did not come nor was attached. The forester, John son of Nigel, and verderers, John Morel and John de Esse … said that he was then infirm and ill and still is and so was not attached, so to judgement of them. Afterwards came Richard Broker’ and fined for 10s. by pledge of Robert Aylward of Worminghall and William son of the reeve of the same. John Pud of Worminghall made fine for 10s. by pledge of William Warin of Oakley and Peter 8

Cissor of the same. Thomas son of Walter of Ledall made fine for 10s. by pledge of Ralph Ernald of Oakley and William Oliver of Worminghall. Richard Pud of Worminghall made fine for 10s. by pledge of Nicholas Brun of Oakley and William son of Simon of Brill. Afterwards it was found in the roll those who appeared in court on the first day, so the aforesaid Richard de Hadenham and his other pledges are quit. It was attested that Robert Pud was in the hands of the sheriff of Oxfordshire, so the sheriff is commanded to produce him at the next coming of the justices there. John son of Walter is poor, so he is pardoned by the king.

9 It is presented by the same and proved that on Saturday before the Conversion of St Paul in the 39th year [of Henry III, 23 January 1255] William Tuluse, a riding forester, found blood and hair of one beast in the wood of Eustace de Greynvill of Wotton Underwood. An inquest was made by the four nearest vills, Ludgershall, Tetchwick, Wotton Underwood and Fieldham (Feldham), which did not come fully, so are in mercy. It was proved that William Buckle and Pagan de Wotton were guilty of that beast and William did not come, so is exacted and outlawed. Pagan came and is detained in prison, and because the said trespass was found first in the said wood by the forester than by Hugh son of Magote, woodward of the said wood, so the wood is taken. Hugh is detained in prison. Afterwards Pagan fined for 10s. by pledge of Eustace de Greynvil. Afterwards Eustace de Greynvil made fine for 1 mark to recover his wood and for his woodward, Hugh.

10 It is presented by the same and proved that on Monday after the Purification of the Blessed Mary in the 38th year [of Henry III, 9 February 1254] one doe was found in the house of William Adgar and John his brother of Forest Hill, which doe they admitted taking with a certain iron device, which William and John were captured and sent to prison at Aylesbury, who lay there until now and now come. … Unable to find pledges, they remain in prison for a year and a day. … Afterwards, because they are poor and their bodies are exceedingly feeble on account of the prison in which they lay for a year and a half and more, they are pardoned by the king for the said trespass.

11 It is presented by the same and proved that on the morrow of the Trinity in the 38th year [of Henry III, 8 June 1254] Henry son of Thomas of and William son of Elias of were captured with one fawn in the wood of Claydon and were sent to Aylesbury. They now come and are detained in prison. Afterwards Henry and William made fine for 20s. by pledge of Thomas de Paundon in Twyford and John Nel of the same, Walter Elys of Charndon and William Geffray of the same.

12 It is presented by the same and proved that in the ‘fence month’ in the 38th year [of Henry III, 10 June-8 July 1254] Richard son of William of Bradenham (Bradham) was captured in the clearing of Ludgershall with one greyhound, which greyhound was delivered to Richard, earl of Cornwall. Richard was sent to the prison of Aylesbury, then to the sheriff Simon de Eltesdon, and now does not come. Simon does not answer for his freedom, so to judgement of the sheriff. Afterwards it was attested that Richard died in prison, so the sheriff is quit. m.2d 13 It is presented by the same and proved that on Monday after Epiphany in the 39th year [of Henry III, 11 January 1255] Robert le Teyser of was carrying one buck in a sack in the forest outside ‘Mukeleswell’, who was captured and sent to the 9

prison of Aylesbury. Afterwards he was delivered by the king because the said buck was dead of murrain and Robert, considered to be a half-wit, carried off the buck, so he is pardoned by the king.

14 It is presented by the same and proved that on Sunday before the Purification of the Blessed Mary in the 39th year [of Henry III, 31 January 1255] one doe was brought down in the wood of Brill below ‘Rodereshull’ by three greyhounds which were sent to Richard, earl of Cornwall. An inquest was made by the four nearest vills, Brill, Wotton Underwood, Ludgershall and Dorton, which was able to find out nothing, and because they did not come fully, so all are in mercy.

15 It is presented by the same and proved that on Monday in the week of Pentecost in the 36th year [of Henry III, 20 May 1252] lord William de Valence wounded a certain doe in Pauncell, which doe escaped, and on Tuesday John son of Nigel and his men entered the forest in order to seek the said doe and found in the grove of Muswell of the earl of Warwick three feet of one doe recently killed. An inquest was made by the four nearest vills, Brill, Ludgershall, Arncott and Piddington. Piddington by itself said that William Prior of Brailes, John Molendinar of , Robert de Berewic, Thomas de la Hal’ of Oakley and Stephen de la Hal’ of Oakley were under suspicion that they captured and carried off the said doe. William Prior did not come and was attached by John Faber of Brill and John son of Edith, who are in mercy. Robert de Berewic did not come and was attached by Robert Tannator of Brill and Ralph son of John of the same, who are in mercy. William and Robert are exacted and outlawed. John, Thomas and Stephen came and it was attested by the foresters and verderers that they are not guilty of the said doe nor of any trespass of the venison, so they are quit. Because that trespass was found first by the forester than being presented by any of the men of the said earl, so the wood is taken. Afterwards Robert de Berevyk son of Geoffrey de la Grave came to Oxford and is detained there in prison. Afterwards the said Robert fined for half a mark by pledge of Robert de Leycest and Theobald de Sancto Albino. Afterwards came William Prior of Brailes and is detained in prison. Afterwards the same William fined for half a mark by pledge of Stephen de Nevil’.

16 It is presented by the same and proved that on Sunday after the feast of St Valentine in the 37th year [of Henry III, 16 February 1253] three greyhounds were found in the wood of Botolph Claydon on one buck which was brought down, which greyhounds were sent to lord J[ohn] Mantel. An inquest was made by the four nearest vills, Fulbrook, Botolph Claydon, Middle Claydon and Hogshaw, which was able to find out nothing, and because they did not come fully, so all are in mercy.

17 It is presented by the same and proved that on Monday before the feast of St Barnabas the Apostle in the 33rd year [of Henry III, 7 June 1249] John le Dykere, John Oliver and Gilbert le Notte of Worminghall took one fawn in the wood of Oakley, who came and are detained in prison. Afterwards John le Diker fined for 10s. by pledge of Robert Ailward of Worminghall and William son of the reeve of the same. John Oliver fined for 10s. by pledge of William Warin of Oakley and Ralph de Ythford of the same. Gilbert le Notte fined for 10s. by pledge of Peter Cissor of Oakley and Ralph Spark of the same.

18 It is presented by the same and proved that on Saturday after the feast of St James in the 36th year [of Henry III, 27 July 1252] John son of John le Blik’ of Brill struck a 10

certain fawn with a certain scythe so that it soon died, and John is dead and was essoined on the first day, so nothing from him nor from his pledges. The dogs of Ralph de Icford and of Alan de Tingwik were found on the said fawn. Alan is dead and was not essoined on the first day and was attached by Fulk Travers and Ivo Albon, so they are in mercy. Ralph de Icford came and because he did not appear on the first day and was attached by Henry ad Crucem of Oakley and Peter Cissor of the same, so they are in mercy. Because his dogs were found on the said fawn, so he is in mercy.

19 It is presented by the same and proved that on Wednesday before Easter in the 30th year [of Henry III, 4 April 1246] John le Punter of and Luke de Thomel’ took one young stag, and Luke did not come nor was attached because he was not found, so is exacted and outlawed. John did not come because he is dead and was not essoined on the first day. He was imprisoned at Aylesbury in the time of William de Holewell’ who does not answer for his delivery, so to judgement of him. It was attested that he died in prison.

20 It is presented by the same and proved that on Thursday after the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary in the 32nd year [of Henry III, 26 March 1248] Jordan de Aula of Sussex, Hugh de Aperiston of Nottinghamshire, Robert de Midelton of …, Henry Bencnolle of Wiltshire, Richard de Bromesl’ of Nottinghamshire, Robert de Belewe of ‘Kochuth’ in …, Ranulf de Wyrsop of Nottinghamshire, John de Croz and Robert Pokett, hired men, were in the forest of Bernwood with bows and arrows, crossbows and quarrels to harm the venison. John son of Nigel and the foresters found them with their weapons against the assize of the forest. … They attacked the foresters who resisted courageously. Jordan de Aula and Robert de Middelton were wounded in the same attack, so that they are now dead. Hugh de Aperiston, Henry de Bencnolle, Robert de Belewe, Ranulf de Wyrsop, John de Croz and Robert Poket did not come, so they are exacted and outlawed. Hugh de Ebreston was attached by pledge of Simon le Rus of , Thomas de Erdwik of the same, John Prat of the same and Adam Anodere of the same, so they are in mercy. Robert Belewe was attached by Simon le Mestre of Quainton, Harvey de Donigdon, William de Frenne of Claydon and Ralph son of Hugh of Botolph Claydon, so they are in mercy. William de Holewell’, then sheriff of Buckinghamshire, did not answer for the delivery of Henry de Bencnolle, Richard de Wyrsop and Robert Poket, so to judgement. It was attested that John de Croz gave himself up at the priory of Shelford (Seltford), so the prior is commanded to make him come to Oxford. … Afterwards came Hugh de Apeston and made fine for half a mark by pledge of William Bernard of Stanton St John and Geoffrey de Eldefeld of Littlemore. [MS imperfect]

m.6 21 Regard of Bernwood, 1255 The wood of Thomas de Valoynes in Botolph Claydon is wasted of old, and the underwood anew. The wood of lord Ralph son of Hugh in the same is wasted of old. The wood of lord John son of Geoffrey in the same is wasted of old, and now the underwood grows again. The wood of Ralph son of Nicholas in Twyford is wasted of old. The wood of William de Engelf’ in is wasted of old. 11

The wood of Thomas de Echecot’ in the same is wasted of old, and afterwards is well kept. The wood of Earl Richard in is wasted of old. The wood of the hospital of Hogshaw in Denham is wasted of old. The wood of the same hospital in the same which formerly belonged to William Serveyce is wasted of old. The wood of the same hospital in Hogshaw is wasted of old. The wood of Robert Malet in Quainton is wasted of old. The wood of John son of Geoffrey in Denham of the fee of Robert Malet is wasted of old. The wood of Geoffrey Neyrunt in is wasted of old. The wood of Robert de Craunford in Doddershall is wasted of old, and anew by the same Robert. The wood of Robert son of Peter and others sharing with him in ‘Otlinges’ is wasted of old. The wood of Jordan de Arches in is wasted of old. The wood of Richard son of Peter in Woodham (Hamme) is wasted of old. The wood of lady M. de Cantulupe in the same is wasted of old. The wood of lord John de Grey in the same is wasted of old. The wood of lady M. de Cantulupe in Wotton Underwood is wasted of old. The wood of Eustace de Greynvill in the same is wasted of old, and anew by the same Eustace, so he is in mercy and the wood is taken into the king’s hands. The wood of Richard de la Rokel’ in the same is wasted of old, and anew by the same Richard, so he is in mercy and the wood is taken etc. The wood of James de la Rokel’ is wasted of old, and anew by the same James, so etc. The wood of Sibyl de Burningham in Dorton is wasted of old. The wood of Robert de Bello Campo in the same is wasted of old. The wood of William son of Elias in Oakley is wasted of old. The wood of the abbot of Notley in Oakley which is called la Le is wasted of old. The wood of William son of Elias in Worminghall is wasted of old. The wood of Thomas son of Geoffrey in the same is wasted of old. The wood of John de Esse is well kept apart from one acre wasted anew by the same John, so etc. The wood of Robert de Burscot’ which the prioress of Studley holds is wasted of old. The wood of the said prioress in Nashway [in Brill] (Esse) is wasted of old. The wood of the abbot of Oseney, of the king’s alms, in Hildesden is wasted of old, and anew by the same abbot, so etc. The wood of the abbess of Godstow, of the king’s alms, in the same is wasted of old, and anew by the same abbess, so etc. The wood of Ludgershall which is kept by Thomas son of Brian is wasted of old.

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4. Bernwood Forest Regard, 11 November 1342

PRO, E32/3 m.1

22 Richard le Blastour made an assart at ‘Sothewell’ from the ground formerly of Nicholas de Esshes which contains by estimation two acres, of which at this regard one acre was sown with oats and the other acre is fallow. Reginald Bene now holds the said assart of Roger son of Nicholas de Esshes, and it pertains to the vill of Nashway (Esshes).

23 John Sherman made an assart at ‘Sothewell’ from the ground formerly of Nicholas de Esshes which contains by estimation 1½ acres, and at this regard they lay fallow. John le Dyester’ now holds the said assart of Roger de Esshes, and it pertains to the said vill.

24 Nicholas de Esshes made one assart from his own ground at ‘Halseconge’ which contains by estimation 20 acres, and at this regard they lay fallow. Roger de Esshes, son and heir of the said Nicholas, now holds the said assart as his free tenement, pertaining to his manor of Nashway (Esshes).

25 Lord John de Haudelo took from the said forest and made assarts in many places from the king’s ground by writ of the king, for which he has the king’s charters. He should pay rent to the king at his Exchequer according to the number of acres but for how many acres is not known.

26 The master of ‘Stuntyngfeld’ made an assart of his wood at ‘le Halehul’ which he has by the gift and endowment of the king in alms, which wood contains 10 acres, which at this regard were sown with wheat. On the said assart is one sheepcote. Thus the said master now holds the said assart, and it pertains to the vill of Brill.

27 The abbess of Godstow made one purpresture at ‘Lacchemed’ from the king’s ground which contains 2 acres 1 rood, which rood was formerly the king’s pinfold. It is enclosed with a ditch and hedge, and at this regard lies fallow. Thomas le Taillour now holds the said purpresture, and it pertains to the vill of Brill.

28 Nicholas de Esshes made one purpresture from the king’s ground at ‘Trymesdich’, appropriating to himself a plot of wood containing two acres. The said purpresture was enclosed with a ditch and hedge shared with his own wood. Roger de Esshes, son and heir of the said Nicholas, now holds the said purpresture enclosed in his own wood, and it pertains to the vill of Brill.

29 Ellen le Twynemakyer made one purpresture from the king’s ground at ‘le Tounhalles’ beside Brill from the gift of lord John de Molyns, which measures two perches long and 1½ perches wide and on which is one small house. The said Ellen is now dead and so it lies vacant. m.2 13

30 They said that the king’s hay of Ixhill is well kept except that the stumps of 20 oaks were found at this regard, of all the oaks felled in the same wood by the king’s gift, as the foresters assert.

31 They said that the king’s hay of ‘Lethewyneslade’ is well kept except that the stumps of eight oaks were found in the said hay at this regard, and the state of the pasture in the said hay had deteriorated greatly through the maintenance of the king’s oxen and cows remaining in his manor of Brill.

32 They said that the king’s wood of ‘Malcomb’, which is called ‘le Frith’ in the old waste, is now greatly deteriorated because of the payments to the households of the king and prince and their followers staying at and Notley at various times, because at this regard the stumps of 90 oaks were found in the said wood, of all the oaks felled in the same, as the foresters assert.

33 They said that the king’s wood of Arngrove [in Boarstall] is well kept except that the stumps of three oaks were found in the same at this regard, of all the oaks felled belonging to the king, as the foresters assert.

34 They said that the king’s wood of Pauncell is well kept except that it is greatly deteriorated because of the payments to the households of the king and queen staying at Woodstock at various times, because at this regard the stumps of 2453 oaks were found, of all the oaks felled in the said wood because of the payments to the same households. More enormities were found in the said wood, of oaks felled in the same by the king’s gift to the number of 24 oaks, as the foresters assert.

35 They said that the king’s wood of ‘Outwode’, which pertains to his manor of Brill, is in the old waste and now in the new through lord John de Molyns and his men, because at this regard the stumps of 3065 oaks were found, of all the oaks felled in the same by the said John and his men. Other enormities are found in the same wood, of 24 oaks felled in the same because of payments to the king’s household staying at Thame. The underwood in the same is felled to the amount of 300 acres by the said John de Molyns.

36 They said that the wood of ‘Stonhurste’ which the abbot of Oseney holds in the old waste is now in the new, because at this regard it was found that the said wood was wholly wasted of oaks and thorns, so that almost nothing remains.

37 They said that the wood of ‘Gerieswode’ which the prior of St Frideswide in Oxford holds in the old waste is now well kept.

38 They said that the wood of the abbot of Oseney beside Pauncell in the old waste is now well kept. 14

5. Bernwood Forest Regard, 11 September 1363

PRO, E32/4 m.1

39 The master of ‘Sontyngfeld’ made one purpresture of arable land outside the cover of the forest, containing 8 acres and worth 4d. an acre a year.

40 The same made one sheepcote within the cover of the forest on the king’s ground at Ludgershall beside ‘Halehull’.

41 Thomas Couele of Oxford felled 6 oaks worth 18s. in ‘la Fryth’ in the king’s wood by licence of Hugh Couele, forester, on 7 June 1360.

42 John de Hertewell of Oxford felled 6 oaks worth 30s. in the king’s wood of Pauncell by warrant of William Mersh’ and John Waton, foresters, on 4 May 1362.

43 Hugh de Morf, keeper of Brill wood (Brehullewode) at the time that the said wood was seized into the king’s hands, felled 12 oaks worth 30s. on 5 December 1362.

44 William Kynyf of Studley, charcoal-burner, felled 20 oaks worth £6 in the king’s wood of Pauncell by assent of William Mersh’ and John Waton, foresters, on 5 May 1363, and he is a common malefactor of the vert.

45 Lord John de Molyns made waste in Brill wood, felling 300 oaks in 1356, to the number of 40 acres, by what warrant is not known.

46 John Duffeld, Hugh Bakere, John Couele, Geoffrey Cersfeld, John vicar of , John Glovere and John Merefeld of Bicester felled 20 oaks worth 100s. in the king’s wood of Pauncell by assent of William Mersh’ and John Waton, foresters, on 5 May 1362.

47 Robert Chamberleyn of Merton felled 6 oaks worth 26s. in the wood of Pauncell by assent of the said William and John.

48 Thomas Kyng and Alice Boudon of Piddington felled 2 oaks worth 9s. in the said wood by assent of the same foresters on 2 October 1362.

49 Henry Tame of Brill felled 6 oaks worth 18s. in the bailiwick of ‘Fryth’ on 4 October [1362] by assent of Hugh de Morf and John Wrench, foresters there.

50 William Kynebelle, canon of Priory, felled in the said bailiwick 2 oaks worth 10s. on 4 June 1363 by assent of the said Hugh and John Wrench.

51 John Schonne of Chesterton felled 1 oak in Pauncell called le Meroke worth 5s. with 2 axes worth 2s. and he sawed the said oak with one saw worth 18d. and carried it from there with 1 cart and 2 horses worth 10s. on Sunday 4 August 1359.

15

52 John Petour of Boarstall felled 6 oaks worth 18s. in the king’s wood of ‘la Frith’ on 3 October 1361 by assent of the said Hugh and John, foresters.

53 Henry le Smyth of Dorton, William Tyays of Dorton and John Hore of Wotton Underwood felled 18 oaks worth 54s. in Brill wood by assent of Hugh de Morf, forester at the time that the said wood was in the king’s hands in 1362.

54 William Mersch, forester of Pauncell, killed 12 bucks in the said bailiwick on 4 August and the days following in 1363, and he is a common malefactor of the king’s beasts.

55 Hugh de Morf, forester of ‘Fryth’, killed 6 does in the said bailiwick in 1361 and 1362 before 1 August.

56 Richard Cuch of Marlake [in Boarstall] is a common malefactor of the king’s beasts through the support of William de Mersh, forester of the said bailiwick. 16

6. Oxfordshire Forest Eyre, Easter 1272

PRO, E32/137 m.10

57 Of the vert of the forest of Bernwood in Oxfordshire From Stephen Ladde of Boarstall for vert 12d. From William Pud of the same for surety and for vert 12d. From Roger Mollepayn of the same for the same 12d. From William in the Hale of Oakley for the same 12d. From Thomas de Fonte of Garsington for vert 2s. From Henry Wolfrich of Thomley for surety 2s. From Robert Gery of the same for the same 2s. From Hugh Forsterling of Forest Hill for vert 12d. From Nicholas Fifgod of Boarstall for surety and for vert 12d. From Robert Cullecuppe of Doddershall for surety 12d. From Walter le Wyse of Oakley for the same 12d. From Eustace Spileman of ‘Haulekton’ for vert, elsewhere. From Thomas son of Hugh of Waterperry for surety 12d. From Robert le Noreys of Thomley for vert 12d. From Simon Leurych of Ledall for the same 12d. From Thomas Leurych of the same for the same 12d. From Robert Tripel of the same for the same 12d. From John Colbe of the same for the same 12d. From Richard Faber of Ludgershall for vert, dead. From William Colebyle of Ledall for surety 12d. From Robert Colebile of the same for the same 12d. From Simon le Brazor of the same for the same 2s. From Thomas de Cleydon in Piddington for vert 2s. From John Martin of Piddington for surety 12d. From Walter atte Hegge of the same for the same 12d. From Simon le Carboner of Arncott for vert 12d. From Robert Pesewombe of Thomley for surety 12d. From Gilbert Forsterling of Arncott for vert 12d. From Hamo de Arnycote for surety 12d.

58 Roger Mullepayn of Oakley was attached within the cover of the forest in the ‘fence month’ because he was searching the forest against the assize, and he does not come now, so he and his pledges, that is, Richard le Notte of Worminghall and Richard le Tynekare of Oakley, are in mercy.

59 Adam Forsterling of Arncott was attached in the same way, and he does not come, so he and his pledges, that is, Stephen le Forn of Arncott and Hamo le Forester of the same, are in mercy.

60 A certain oak was felled at night around Michaelmas [29 September] 1264 in the king’s wood of Pauncell, for which there was pursuit for seven miles on all sides outside the same wood, which seeing John son of Nigel, chief forester, together with the verderers, followed the tracks of the cart in which the said oak was removed to the 17

house of Robert Molendinar’ of Merton, which is only one mile distant from the said wood, where the same John and the verderers found the same oak concealed under a certain stack of straw. The said Robert was not allowed to be attached by the said John because he was outside the bounds of the forest, nor does he come now, so the sheriff is ordered to make him come from day to day.

61 Of the venison of the forest of Bernwood in Oxfordshire It is presented and proved by John son of Nigel, chief forester of the forest of Bernwood in [Oxfordshire], … Brun who was sometimes a verderer in the same forest, and by John Morel of Addingrove [in Oakley] and William le Venur of West … Brok of Marston, who are now verderers in the same, that Michael Fromond of ‘Wynton’ and Richard son of Thomas of … [entered] the said forest on the eve of the Translation of St Thomas the Martyr in the 47th year [of Henry III, 6 July 1263] to harm the king’s venison …, who came on the first day and were committed by the bailiff, that is, Richard by Richard le Chepman of …, Hugh Grey of the same and William de Cleydon in the same, and Michael by William de Hedindon in Piddington, Adam [Rakemawe] and Roger le Joefne of the same, who bailed them to appear from day to day to answer etc. And now they do not come, so … The sheriff is ordered to distrain them to produce them from day to day. The vills of Piddington, Arncott, L[udgershall and Brill] (…hulle) were summoned to help at the inquest of the said trespass and they do not come fully according to the assize, so … Michael and Richard are detained in prison, and Michael made fine for half a mark by pledge of Richard le Chepm[an of … and Hugh] le Grey of the same, and Richard made fine for half a mark by pledge of William de Claydon, Adam Rakemawe and Roger le Joefne of … [MS imperfect]

62 It is presented etc. that when John le Naper, the king’s huntsman, hunted in the said forest and took … for the use of the king with his greyhounds on the eve of St Bartholomew in the 50th year [of Henry III, 23 August 1266], there came to the place where the said deer was felled and the said greyhounds which had hunted it Richard Gypcien, sergeant of Agnes … of Agnes le Cuppild of Horton-cum-Studley … they carried [it] off, where is still not known … The said Richard and John with … withdrew and now did not come nor are they found, so etc. The chattels of the said Richard are valued … for which [Hugh] Renaud of Marlake and John de la Hyde in the same answer, and because the same Hugh and John … Richard Gipcyen and he is detained in prison and fined for 2 marks on condition that the aforesaid 20s. … William Gypcien of Blackthorn and Walter Martin of the same. [MS imperfect]

m.10d 63 Osbert Giffard took in the said forest on Monday before the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary in the 49th year [of Henry III, 10 August 1265] one buck and one doe, and on Thursday before the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross in the same year [10 September 1265] two does, and on Thursday in the week of Pentecost in the 50th year [of Henry III, 20 May 1266] three does, without warrant.

64 James de Audedelegh’ took in the said forest on Monday before Ash Wednesday in the 50th year [of Henry III, 8 February 1266] two harts without warrant, and he is in Ireland on the king’s service, so the case is postponed.

18

65 It is presented etc. that Nicholas Syfrewast, who has a certain charter, as it is said, to hunt hare, wolf and cat in the king’s forests in Oxfordshire, on condition though that he does not take any of his big game, became accustomed to be in the aforesaid forest with his dogs and a malefactor to the king of his game by reason of his liberty contained in the aforesaid charter; for he took there at Michaelmas in the 50th year [of Henry III, 29 September 1266] one doe and in the octave of Michaelmas in the 51st year [of Henry III, 6 October 1267] one doe without warrant. The same Nicholas does not come; thus it is ordered of him as made clear elsewhere, and because he is convicted of many transgressions made by him in various forests in the aforesaid county by reason of his aforesaid liberty, so to judgement of the same liberty. It is also proved that John de la Rose took part in the aforesaid transgression, and he does not come nor was attached. Thus the sheriff is ordered to make him come as made clear elsewhere. Of the aforesaid John it is made clear elsewhere, in the forest of Shotover.

66 Roger de Clifford the elder, then justice of the forest, gave to Hugh de Plessetis one doe in the aforesaid forest, who came to take the same on Thursday after Michaelmas in the 51st year [of Henry III, 6 October 1267] and let slip his greyhounds at a certain herd of deer, which took a certain doe and one fawn of a doe, and it is declared that the same fawn was taken against the will of the aforesaid Hugh and that immediately when it was taken he offered the same to the foresters who were with him; however, they refused to receive the same, thus there is an adjournment.

67 John Giffard the younger took in the aforesaid forest on the eve of Michaelmas in the 52nd year [of Henry III, 28 September 1268] one buck without warrant. He does not come nor was attached. Thus the sheriff is ordered to make him come from day to day.

68 It is presented etc. that James de Audetheleg’, at the time that he held the manor of Bicester in his hands, did make destruction both in the wood of the prior of Bicester in Arncott and in the wood which now belongs to Henry de Lacy pertaining to his manor of Bicester, which woods are within the forest and within the regard, that is, both of oaks throughout the land and of branches, thorns and underwood, by Nicholas then sergeant of the same James at Stratton Audley, Matthew reeve of the same, Simon Carbonar’ of Arncott, Hugh his son, and Richard then carter of the same James, and that Hugh de la Sale of Stratton Audley, Matthew le Stikkere of the same, Godwin de Finemere in the same, Gilbert le Beste in the same, and Elias son of Golde of the same, similarly made great destruction in the aforesaid woods and removed wood, timber and charcoal to the nearby vills to sell to the great damage of the aforesaid prior and Henry and to the great detriment of the king’s forest; neither were they willing to stop this on account of the prohibitions of the foresters nor allow any sort of justice, and the aforesaid Matthew, Hugh, Godwin, Gilbert, Elias and Simon came and are detained in prison. Of the aforesaid James, because he is in the service of the lord Edward in Ireland, and the others who are of his household and mainprise, there is an adjournment, except for Hugh son of Simon, because his father conceded him to be answerable and able to give satisfaction. 19

7. Bernwood Forest Perambulation, 1228

PRO, C47/11/1 [14] m.1

69 King Henry [II], grandfather of the king [Henry III], afforested by his will and by Alan de Neville, from the ford of (Strafford) by the boundary between Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to the water of ‘Hicc’ and by the water of ‘Hycc’ just as the water itself cuts the forest and passes through the middle of the vill of Woodham (Hamme) to ‘Rissibroc’ and by ‘Rissibroc’ to ‘Ealdimererithi’, which stream is so called of old because it was once the ancient boundary of forest and field, and by ‘Ealdimererithi’ until it falls into the water of Thame between Notley and Chearsley and by the water of Thame to ‘Stanbrigge’ and from ‘Stanbrigge’ by the road which is called ‘Crockerespade’ which goes outside ‘Witchirche’ and extends to the stream which is called ‘Winterbroc’ and by ‘Winterbroc’ to the stream which is called ‘La Burne’ and by the burn to the stream which is called ‘Buna’ between and and by ‘Buna’ until it falls into the Ouse between Thornborough and Maids Morton and so by the Ouse to the ford of Water Stratford, which never before was forest. 20

8. Bernwood Forest Perambulation, 1298

PRO, E146/1/8 m.1

70 First to a certain stream called ‘Yhyst’, and from there ascending to ‘Hethenebergh’ and so to ‘Stodfoldewey’, and so from there to ‘Pedyunton meere’, and so extending to a place called ‘le Dedequene’ outside the king’s wood, and so ascending by the hedge of Ludgershall between the king’s wood and the wood of Ludgershall to ‘Colloputtes’, and so from there to ‘[H]ethebreche’, and so from there to the stream descending to ‘le Brechehurne’, and so from there to ‘Coppedhegge’ and then proceeding outside the hedge to the corner of ‘Todeleshull’, and from there between the king’s wood and the wood of Richard Grenevile of Wotton Underwood to a certain stream to ‘Colhurth’ on the east side, and so proceeding beside the said wood to ‘Warborughwell Dock’, and from there to ‘le Tremeren’, and so proceeding to ‘Wolvesshrape’ and so to ‘Dreyhurst’, and from there by the stream to ‘Phippenhoohurne’ and so to ‘Aylyenewellestine’, and from there to ‘Lowsythorn’ and so to the furlong set crosswise called ‘Burnegrove’ to the fork of Brill, and from there to ‘Morlesmede’ and so to ‘Aysshegh’ outside the messuage of Walter de Byllyngdon, and so directly through ‘Alkedonemerssh’ to ‘Apcrofte’, and from there by ‘le Porteweye’ to ‘Staunford’, and so from there between the fields of Worminghall and Oakley to ‘le Wykehouse’, and from there to ‘Gulpesmede’, and so by the hedge of the field of Oakley to ‘le Spanne’, and so proceeding to ‘Stonyhurstende’, and so from there to ‘Honybrugge’, and from there to ‘Stonyhurstende’ and from there to ‘Hilledesle’, and from there to ‘Fouleslo’, and then to ‘Okelynyoke’ by the stream in ‘Waterfall’ in ‘Smythdene’, and from there to ‘Southwellredy’, and from there to ‘Southwelle’ and then proceeding to ‘Halsadetonge’, and so to ‘Gashale’ and then proceeding into ‘Grymesdich’, and so to ‘Stonycrouch’, and from there to ‘Merlakebrugge’, and so from there always by the boundary between Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to the said stream of ‘Yhyst’.

They said that outside the aforesaid metes and bounds King Henry [II] afforested the wood called Tetchwick above ‘Yhyght’ which pertained to the manor of Tetchwick and is in the king’s hands now, and the wood of ‘la Lee’ which was the inheritance of and is in the king’s hands now, and the wood of ‘Gore’ which was the inheritance of Edgcott and is now in the king’s hands, and the woods of ‘Stikkedhaye’, ‘Apes’, ‘Thornes’, ‘Robmorshire’ and ‘Wolvesshrobbes’, which belonged to Ralph de Grysley, pertaining to the manor of Middle Claydon, which are in the king’s hands now. King Richard [I] afforested the woods of ‘Polycote’ [and] ‘Bokecote’. They said that the king [Edward I] afforested the wood of Wotton Underwood which belonged to Richard de la Rokele and James de la Rokele and which is in the king’s hands on account of waste made in the time of Henry III. The jurors were asked whether the same king had many woods adjacent to the said forest. They said that he did not but that King Henry [II] afforested the wood which is in the hands of Almaric de Sancto Amando, and the wood of Ludgershall which is now in the hands of the bishop of Ely, and the wood of Twyford which is in the hands of Ralph Pippard and John Giffard, and the wood of Oakley which is in the hands of the abbot of Notley and the heir of William son of Elias, and the wood of Studley which is in the hands of the prioress of Studley, to such great 21 damage, that is, that the same Almaric and the others, their ancestors and predecessors, holders of those aforesaid woods, were able to take nothing from the same woods after they were afforested, nor to make their profits in the same as they were accustomed, without being attached and hindered by the foresters of the aforesaid forest. They said also that there are many woods, lands and other places outside the same bounds which were appropriated to the said forest by the ministers of the king in the time of the said King Henry [II] and in the following reigns, to the damage as aforesaid, and the same jurors were asked what and how much was appropriated to the said forest in the time of the said King Henry [II], and what and how much in the time of each later king separately. They said that they did not know nor are they able in any way to establish the same. 22

9. Manorial Records of the Bernwood Forest Project Area

The surviving records which relate to those manors situated within the bounds of Bernwood Forest are widely scattered across a range of different archives. The following list has been compiled mainly from the Manorial Documents Register kept by the Historical Manuscripts Commission at Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London. Other printed catalogues, particularly those at the Public Record Office, have also been inspected.

Manorial records, including account rolls, court rolls and surveys, contain information relevant to an understanding of the topography, economy and society of the villages to which they relate. They are vital to a study of the ways in which Bernwood Forest affected the lives of the inhabitants within its boundaries.

The number of records surviving for each of the parishes in the project area varies enormously, from virtually nothing to long runs of medieval and early modern account rolls and court rolls. For several settlements (marked *) sufficient documents survive for a very detailed study to be made of their medieval landscape and society.

The Cottrell-Dormer archive at Rousham appears to contain several series of medieval and early modern manorial records relating to a number of villages within Bernwood Forest, although the catalogue is not very informative. Enquiries about access should be addressed to the Historical Manuscripts Commission at Quality Court. Details of other private owners of records listed below may be out of date, of which HMC often has no further information.

Deeds and other manorial records relating to Brill, Boarstall, Ickford, Oakley and other places within the Bernwood Forest project area may be also be found in The Boarstall Cartulary, ed. H E Salter (Oxford Historical Society, 88, 1930), a manuscript preserved in the Bodleian Library.

Buckinghamshire

Ashendon Court rolls, 1422-1550: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1651-1701: Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA Extents, 1332-92: Public Record Office

Pollicott, account roll, 1463-4: Public Record Office account roll, tempus Henry VIII: William Salt Library, Stafford court rolls, 1651-1701: Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA surveys, 1624-8: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Barton Hartshorn Deeds, 1544-96: Public Record Office

Bernwood Forest Account rolls, 1333-43: Public Record Office 23

Court rolls, tempus Richard II-Edward IV: Cambridge University Library Rent rolls, 1743-6: University of Nottingham Survey, 1610: Public Record Office

Boarstall Court rolls, 1422-34: Public Record Office Extents, 1436-48: Cambridge University Library

Pauncell, survey, 1608: Public Record Office survey, 1705: Buckinghamshire Record Office

*Brill Account rolls, 1249-1442: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1348-1493: Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA Court rolls, 1652-1826: J B Birch, 90 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire Court roll, 1705: Mr and Mrs C Cottrell-Dormer, Rousham, Oxfordshire Extracts from court rolls, 1370-1421: New College, Oxford Manorial papers, 1432: Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA Rent receipts, 1555-78: Berkshire Record Office Survey, 1650s: Public Record Office

Buckingham Account roll, 1463-4: Public Record Office Court book, 1611-31: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court rolls, 1718-1841: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court rolls, 18th century: Holkham Hall, Norfolk Customs, 18th century: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

Charndon No records found

Chearsley Account roll, 1304-5: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1422-87: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1500-1705: Mr and Mrs C Cottrell-Dormer, Rousham, Oxfordshire Court rolls, 1525-39: Bedfordshire Record Office Court rolls, 1718-65: Buckinghamshire Record Office Draft court rolls, 1525-43: Record Office

Chetwode Court rolls, 1631-1766: University of Keele Court rolls, 1635-1766: John Rylands Library, Manchester Court rolls, 1714-1836: Buckinghamshire Record Office Deed, c.1250: Magdalen College, Oxford Deed, 1596: Public Record Office Survey, tempus Edward III: Public Record Office

Chilton Account roll, tempus Henry VIII: William Salt Library, Stafford Court rolls, 1337-75: Buckinghamshire Record Office 24

Court rolls, 1547-9: Public Record Office Draft court roll, 1538: Northamptonshire Record Office

Dorton Account roll, tempus Henry VIII: William Salt Library, Stafford Court rolls, 1547-9: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1611-33: Northamptonshire Record Office

East Claydon Court rolls, 1322-1479: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court rolls, 1422-1550: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1546-1700: Verney Family, Claydon House, Buckinghamshire Rental, tempus Henry VIII: Public Record Office Terrier, no date: Verney Family, Claydon House, Buckinghamshire

Edgcott Court rolls, 1288-1742: Mr and Mrs C Cottrell-Dormer, Rousham, Oxfordshire Court roll, 1459-60: Staffordshire Record Office Court rolls, 1547-9: Public Record Office

Fleet Marston Account rolls, 1321-78: Public Record Office Court book, 1411-12: Oxfordshire Record Office Court rolls, 1422-1550: Public Record Office Draft court roll, 1511: Oxfordshire Record Office

Gawcott with Court rolls, 1547-9: Public Record Office

Grendon Underwood Account rolls, 1376-8: Public Record Office Court book, 1451-1510: British Library Court rolls, 1559-1702: William Salt Library, Stafford Court rolls, 1692-1740: Buckinghamshire Record Office Rental, 1665: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Hillesden Account rolls, 1461-6: Public Record Office Terriers, 1657-65: Holkham Hall, Norfolk

Hogshaw Court book, 1750-89: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court rolls, 1768-89: Buckinghamshire Record Office Rental, tempus Henry VIII: Public Record Office

Ickford Account rolls, 1376-8: Public Record Office Court book, 1718-56: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court rolls, 1316-25: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court rolls, 1422-34: Public Record Office 25

Court rolls, 1500-1661: Berkshire Record Office Deed, 1399: Public Record Office

Kingswood Account roll, 1479: Northamptonshire Record Office

*Long Crendon Account rolls, 1322-1447: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1343-1813: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court rolls, 1492-1729: Bodleian Library, Oxford Court rolls, no date: E L Lightfoot, 2 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire Court rolls, no date: St George’s Chapel, Windsor Extents, 1336-1419: Public Record Office Rental, c.1510: Mr and Mrs C Cottrell-Dormer, Rousham, Oxfordshire Terrier, 1715: St George’s Chapel, Windsor

Lower Winchendon Court rolls, 1530-1804: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court roll, 1547: Public Record Office Survey, 1612-13: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Ludgershall Account rolls, 1324-33: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1547-9: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1611-33: Northamptonshire Record Office Manorial records, 1447-8: King’s College, Cambridge Papers and terriers, 17th-19th centuries: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Tetchwick: no records found

Marsh Gibbon Account rolls, 1324-1430: Public Record Office Account rolls, 1394-1505: Bodleian Library, Oxford Court books, 1681-1844: Bodleian Library, Oxford Court rolls, 1383-1696: Bodleian Library, Oxford Survey, 1573-4: Northamptonshire Record Office

Middle Claydon Court book, 1552-65: Greater London Record Office Court rolls, 1452-1632: Verney Family, Claydon House, Buckinghamshire

*North Marston Account rolls, 1503-39: Magdalen College, Oxford Court rolls, 1422-1550: Public Record Office Deeds, c.1220-1727: Magdalen College, Oxford Manorial records, 14th-15th centuries: Magdalen College, Oxford Rental, c.1536: Magdalen College, Oxford Survey, 1555: Buckinghamshire Record Office Surveys, c.1610-85: Magdalen College, Oxford

26

Oakley Account roll, tempus Henry VIII: William Salt Library, Stafford Court rolls, 1422-34: Public Record Office Court roll, 1577-8: British Library Court roll, 1705: Mr and Mrs C Cottrell-Dormer, Rousham, Oxfordshire Court rolls, 1718-65: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Oving Court roll, 1359: Bodleian Library, Oxford Court roll, 1502: William Salt Library, Stafford Survey, 1555: Buckinghamshire Record Office Valuation, 1544-5: Dorset Record Office

Pitchcott Court rolls, 1422-1550: Public Record Office

Poundon No records found

Preston Bissett Account rolls, 1419-1525: Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle Account rolls, 1421-3: Public Record Office Court roll, 1776: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Quainton Account rolls, 1356-1427: Buckinghamshire Record Office Court book, 1552-65: Greater London Record Office Court rolls, 1422-1550: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1671-1771: Buckinghamshire Record Office Quit rentals, 1408-1691: Buckinghamshire Record Office Terrier, 1347: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Shipton, survey, 1555: Buckinghamshire Record Office survey, 1555-6: Public Record Office survey, 1608-9: Public Record Office survey, 1624: Dorset Record Office

Quarrendon Court rolls, 1389-1624: Oxfordshire Record Office

*Radcliffe-cum- Account rolls, 1376-8: Public Record Office Account rolls, 1383-1482: New College, Oxford Court rolls, 1387-1773: New College, Oxford Court rolls, 1422-1546: Public Record Office Draft court rolls, 1622-4: Northamptonshire Record Office Rentals, 1608-64: New College, Oxford Terriers, 1624-1802: New College, Oxford

27

Shabbington Account roll, 1354-5: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1422-1673: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1718-65: Buckinghamshire Record Office Draft court rolls, 1519-33: Bodleian Library, Oxford Rental, 17th century: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Steeple Claydon Account rolls, 1347-1462: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1325-1428: Bodleian Library, Oxford Court rolls, 1665-1781: Verney Family, Claydon House, Buckinghamshire Rental, tempus Edward III: Public Record Office Surveys, 1556-7: Public Record Office Valor, tempus Henry VIII: Public Record Office

* Account rolls, 1311-1495: New College, Oxford Account roll, 1324-5: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1382-1775: New College, Oxford Rentals, 1446-1664: New College, Oxford Terrier, 1624: New College, Oxford

Twyford Account rolls, 1359-1436: Public Record Office

Upper Winchendon No records found

Waddesdon Court rolls, 1422-1550: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1448-1698: British Library Terrier, 17th century: British Library

Westcott Account rolls, 1274-1480: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1323-48: Public Record Office

Woodham (and Fieldham) Court rolls, 14th-15th centuries: Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA Court rolls, 1422-1550: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1512-1632: Mercers Hall, London Court roll, 1668: Buckinghamshire Record Office Extent, 1657: Buckinghamshire Record Office Rental, 1620: Mercers Hall, London Survey, 1745: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Worminghall No records found

28

*Wotton Underwood Account rolls, 1324-7: Public Record Office Account roll, tempus Henry VIII: William Salt Library, Stafford Court rolls, 1273-1507: Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA Court rolls, 1547-9: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1611-33: Northamptonshire Record Office Rentals, 1411-59: Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA Terrier, 1453: Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA Terrier, 1657: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Oxfordshire

Arncott Court rolls, 1341-59: Bodleian Library, Oxford Rental, tempus Henry VI: Public Record Office

Beckley and Stowood Account rolls, 1277-1486: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1374-1674: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1581-1719: Bodleian Library, Oxford

Forest Hill with Shotover Account rolls, 1376-8: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1331-1629: Bodleian Library, Oxford Court rolls, 1422-1542: Public Record Office Manorial documents, no date: Lincoln College, Oxford

Horton-cum-Studley Account roll, 1324-5: New College, Oxford Court rolls, 1374-1674: Public Record Office Surveys, 1786-7: Bodleian Library, Oxford

Piddington Court roll, 1550: Public Record Office Survey, 1551: Public Record Office

Stanton St John Court rolls, 1472-1775: New College, Oxford Survey, 1774: Corpus Christi College, Oxford Terriers, 1472-1795: New College, Oxford Terriers, no date: Corpus Christi College, Oxford

Waterperry with Thomley Account rolls, 1375-82: Public Record Office Court rolls, 1358-61: Bodleian Library, Oxford 29

10. Maps and Plans of the Bernwood Forest Project Area

Bernwood Forest boasts two early maps of exceptional importance: the plan of Boarstall of 1444-6, the earliest detailed map for any village in England; and the forest map of 1590, which depicts the settlements of Brill, Boarstall and Oakley. These maps provide vital evidence for the reconstruction of the landscape of the heart of the forest in the later Middle Ages.

Other maps and plans of some of the settlements within the project area also survive from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The following list has been compiled from the Manorial Documents Register at Quality Court and from references in various printed catalogues. The list includes only manuscript maps of individual parishes. Tithe maps, county maps and printed maps have not been included.

Ashendon Pollicott, 1624, 1837: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Boarstall 1444-6: Bodleian Library, Oxford 1590: New College, Oxford 1697, 18th century, 1817, no date: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Pauncell, 1705: Public Record Office 1717: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Brill 1590, 17th century: New College, Oxford

Chearsley c.1763: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Chetwode 1738: Buckinghamshire Record Office

Marsh Gibbon 1854: Bodleian Library, Oxford

Oakley 1590: New College, Oxford

Radcliffe-cum-Chackmore 1773, 1802: New College, Oxford

Tingewick c.1600, 1727, 1773, 1790: New College, Oxford 30

11. Assessment of the documentary and cartographic evidence

Bernwood Forest offers the potential for a significant large-scale study of the landscape and society of an important forest area in the Middle Ages. The records of the medieval forest officials preserved in the Public Record Office provide the starting-point and offer useful evidence of the practical extent of the forest at different times and of the impact of the forest on the lives of its inhabitants. Thus, the regard of 1255 (21) reveals that woods as far east as Quainton and as far north as Twyford were considered to be part of the forest in the thirteenth century. Later regards (sections 4 and 5) show the extent to which Bernwood had contracted following the concessions of Edward I (1272-1307) and his successors.

These records of Bernwood Forest are not as numerous as for some medieval forests, such as Rockingham in Northamptonshire. However, they are more plentiful than for many forests in England and are certainly sufficient for an overview of medieval landscape and society. The activities of the lords and peasants recorded in the forest courts – hunting game and clearing woodland – may be put into a wider context by a study of local manorial records. These provide evidence of the agriculture, social structure, topography, and other economic and social activities of the inhabitants of the project area, against which background the influence of the forest, forest law and the resources of the woodland may be compared.

The survival of manorial records within the Bernwood Forest project area cannot be considered exceptional. Nevertheless, sufficient numbers of account rolls, court rolls and surveys have survived from the thirteenth century onwards to enable a relatively detailed study to be made of the medieval landscape and society of parishes from different parts of the project area. A composite picture of this part of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire may thus be built up over the course of the later Middle Ages, which will add considerably to our knowledge of the south Midlands. Little detailed work appears to have been conducted using the manorial records listed in this report. Importantly, records survive both from places (eg. Brill) which remained part of the forest and from those which were disafforested by Edward I and his successors.

Studies of medieval landscape and society often benefit from a detailed knowledge of the early modern period. Many features of the Middle Ages survived into the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries or were transformed during that time. The documents surviving from this period, therefore, are of great value, especially when they may be compared with those from earlier times. Such documents may also provide vital evidence when attempting to judge the accuracy of the maps and plans drawn up during this period. The cartographic evidence from parts of Bernwood Forest (eg. Boarstall) is excellent, beginning in the fifteenth century and continuing into the nineteenth. The survival of both cartographic and documentary sources suggests that a detailed investigation of the medieval landscape and society of Bernwood Forest is likely to result in a successful and extremely worthwhile project.