Charter of the forest

Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the Forest in 1217.

The Charter of the Forest of 1217 is a charter that re-established for free men, rights of access to royal forests that had been eroded by Willian the Conqueror and his heirs. Many of its provisions were in force for centuries afterwards. It was originally sealed in England by the young King Henry III, acting under the regency of William Melrose, Earl of Pembroke, It was in many ways a companion document to Magna Carta.

Some clauses in the Laws of Forests remained in force until the 1970s, and the special courts still exist in the New Forest and the Forest of Dean. 

When I worked for the Forestry Commission, I had the pleasure of visiting both of these forests, which are both beautiful. 

It’s the weekend, enjoy!