Perambulations of the Forests of Cannock and Kinfare, 28 E. I., A.D. 1300. (fn. 1)
The King's writ states that the Commons of England had granted to him
the fifteenth of all moveables, and for that he had conceded that perambulations should be made of the Forests before Roger le Brabazon and his
associated Judges.
(Translation). (fn. 2)
Perambulations made in the co. of Stafford before Monsire Rogier
Brabazun, Monsire William Boutevileyn, Monsire Johan Druivel, and Sire
Henry de Guldeford Justices of the King, on the Wednesday in the week of
Pentecost, 28 E. I. (11th June, 1300), of the Forest of Cannok, in the presence of
William Trumwyn, Esteven (Stephen) de Elmedon, foresters in fee of the said
forest, and in the presence of John de Heravile, Richard de Barton, and
Robert de Wyston, verderers of the said forest, and by the oath of Robert de
Estaundon, William de Mere, Geffrey de Gresleye, Johan le Wastenesy,
Henry Mauveisyn, Henry de Cressewall, Huwe de Weston, Chevalers,
Williame de Wrottesleye, (fn. 3) Robert le Hunte, Estevene de Wolaston, Richard
Sprigonel, Michel de Morton, Henry de Alrewas, Robert de Somerford,
Thomas de Titnesovere, Robert de Sewalffeyld, Henry de Verdoun, Williame
de Tymmor, Richard de Beckebury, Robert de Horseleye, Williame de Tamenhorn, and Johan de Cressewalle, who say on their oath that the King that
now is has four hayes in the said forest beyond (dehors) Wattelingestrete
towards the north viz.:—the Haye of Hopewas; the Haye of Alrewas, the
Haye of Teddesleye, and the Haye of Gauneleye. The Haye of Hopewas
with the forinsec wood (foreinbois) commences at the river Tame at Caldeford,
and then ascending Caldefordwey between the demesne of the King and the
fee of the Bishop of Chester, thence to Pakynton Mere, and thence by the
high way which goes to Lichfeuld as far as (deges) Tamworth, and thus
descending the high road as far as the fork (fourches) of Hopewas, and thence
by a footway (sente), between the wood of Pakinton and the wood of Hopewas
as far as Hyntismere, and thence to Lynwell, thence to Limbreuk, which is
between Hopewas wood and Tunstall wood, and thence to the Tame, and then
descending the river Tame as far as Caldeford at the place where the purceynte first began. John de Hastinges holds the vill of Hopewas, together
with the wood and the waste of the King within the said purceinte.
The purceynte of the King's Haye of Alrewas with the forinsec wood
of Alrewas and Bromleye commences at the river Trent at Wycchenore
Bridge, and thence ascending the Trente as far as the Bridge of Yoxale, and
thence ascending the Trent as far as Cornbrug, thence ascending a sichet
between the wood of Kyngesbromleye and Hondesacre wood to Reynershawing, and thence by the road as far as Foulbrouk, and then descending as
far as Pipebrouk, and thus as far as Drubrouk, and thence to Marbrouk,
descending as far as the Tame River, and then descending the Tame to the
Trent, and from thence ascending the Trent as far as Wycchenovere Bridge
where the purceynte first began. And within the said bounds of Alrewas,
Edmund de Somerville holds the manor of Alrewas with its members, and
part of the wood and waste, of our Lord the King; and Thomas Corbet holds
the vill of Kyngesbromleye with the wood and the waste of our Lord the King.
The purceinte of the Haye of the King's demesne wood of Teddesleye, and
of his demesne wood of Gaunelyee, including the vills and the forinsec wood
commences in a place of Pencriz at Eton at a place called Stretwyle, and so
descending the river of Pencriz as far as Springwell brouk, which is
between the King's demesne of Teddesleye, and the liberty of the Bishop
of Chester of the Barony of Heywode, thence ascending Springewall brouk
as far as Springewall, and thence to Cannok, and so by the high road as
far as the ditch of Saint Chadde between the King's demesne of Teddesleye
and the chase of the Bishop of Chester of Cannokbury and Rugeley, and so
descending by a road called Fethersti as far as the Sholle, and thence descending as far as Maresbrouk, and from thence to Watlingstrete, and descending
the Watlingstrete as far as the river of Pencriz to Eton to the place called
Stretwile. And within these bounds Hugh le Blund holds the vill of Wolgarston and Pencriz with the wood and the waste, of Johan Heosee. And
Wautier de Elmedon holds the vill of Pilotenhale with the wood and the
waste, of the Abbot of Burton: and Stephen de Elmedon holds the vill of
Huntyndon with the wood and the waste, of our Lord the King; and the
Dean of Wulvrenehampton holds the vill of Hatherdon with the wood and
waste in free almoign together with the vill of Kynewarston, to the north
of the Watling strete, of the gift of the Lady Wulverene; and Adam de
Otherton holds the vill of Otherton with the wood and waste, of Richard de
Loges. Richard de Loges holds the vill of Rodbaston with the wood and
waste, of our Lord the King; and Wautier de Beysyn holds the vill of Eton
with the wood and the waste to the north of Watlingstrete, of the Barony
of Stafford. They say likewise that the bounds of Calonhethe commence from
the other part of Watlingstrete towards the south, at the Stoniford, and from
thence descending as far as Sarebrouk, and thence envalaunt Sarebrouk as
far as the Stok Ok; and thence to Everleye in Gauneleye (Gayley).
They say also that of that part south of Watlingstrete, the King holds
the Haye of Benteleye and the Haye of Christlyn in his hands. The purceinte of the Haye of Benteleye begins at Wytheressawe, descending as far as
Aspenegrene, thence to Benyngeshale brouk and thence to Dyridaies medewe,
and thence ascending as far as the spring of the heie Shute, and so to Ruggeleye Yort, and thence descending as far as Whelsey, thence to Haybrouk,
thence to Witteressawe, where it began.
The Purceinte of the Haye of Chistlyn begins at Caldewallemore, thence
to Haygate, thence by the road from Haygate to Somergate, and thence
ascending by the Redewey as far as the Blakeleye, and then by the Redewey
to the Great Blakeleye, thence to Horeston, under (sus) the great Blakeleye,
and thence to Hostalmore, thence by a sichet as far as Chistlyn wood, and
thence descending by the wood of Chistlyn as far as Sarebrook near Whitenhale, and thence ascending Sarebrok as far as the sichet by Caldewallemore,
where it first began.
And they say that the bounds of Oggeleye and of Prestwode on that side
of Watlingstrete towards the south commence at Rothsale, ascending Watlingstrete as far as the sichet below Occumesleye which is called Russisiche,
and thence by the Russisiche as far as Erchenebrug below Cleyhunger, and so
ascending the sichet by Cleyhungermore as far as Wirleyesty below Catteslowe, as far as the Blakestrete, and so descending by the valley which is called
the Greneslade, as far as the Small Thornes, and so descending by the high
road in the valley between Aylondes and Whitacres, and descending as far as
Cronebrouk below Hulton, and so by Lichesfeldeswey as far as Watlingstrete.
And they say that Rauf Basset of Drayton holds the vills of Bollenhull,
Bittrescote, Faresleye, and Tunstall, with the appurtenances, of Richard
Basset of Weldon, and they have been afforested since the time of King Henry
fitz Empress.
Rauf de Grendon holds of the fee of Hugh de Plescy, Overe Stonhale,
Nethere Stonhale, La Lynde, Thornes, and Chestrefeud, with the woods and
wastes appurtenant, and they have been afforested since the time aforesaid.
William de Alrewyz holds the vill of Alrewyz (Aldridge), with the woods
and wastes appurtenant, of Felice de Barra, and they have been afforested
since the time aforesaid.
William de Bouwelis holds the vill of Russhale with the woods and
wastes appurtenant of the Barony of Duddeleye, and they have been afforested since the time above stated.
Roger de Morteyn and Margaret la Russe hold the vills of Blakeswych
and Great Blockeswych, Shelfhull, Bermundescote, and Haworthyn, with the
woods and wastes, in chief of our Lord the King, afforested since the time
above stated.
Johan de Heronvill holds the vill of Wodnesbury and Walstwude, with
the woods and wastes appurtenant, of Hugh de Plescy, afforested since the
time above stated.
Johan de Bentleye holds the vill of Bentleye, with the woods and wastes,
of our Lord the King, afforested since the time above stated.
The Dean and Chapter of Wulverenhampton hold in pure and perpetual
almoign, of the gift of the Lady Wulverene, the vill of Peleshale, part of
Wylenhale, Wodenesfeud, Hulton, Fethereston, Gosebrok, La Hethe, and the
Newebruge, with the woods and wastes; and they have been afforested since
the time above stated.
Edward, son and heir of Phelip Burnel, holds the vill of Wormdon and
part of Wylenhale and Tunstall in chief of our Lord the King by exchange;
and they have been afforested since the time above stated.
The Prior of St. Thomas, near Stafford, holds the vill of Pendeford, with the
woods and wastes, of the Barony of Duddeleye; and they have been afforested
since the time aforesaid.
Richard de Marham holds the vill of Oxleye, with the woods and wastes,
of the Barony of Duddeleye, afforested since the time aforesaid.
Rauf de Bissebury holds the vill of Bissebury, with the woods and wastes,
of the Barony of Duddeleye, afforested since the time above stated.
Robert de Esnyngton holds the vill of Esnyngton, with the woods and
wastes, of the Barony of Duddeleye, afforested since the time above stated.
Johan de Mollesleye holds the vill of Mollesleye, with the woods and
wastes, of the Barony of Duddeleye, afforested since the time above stated.
Otvel Purcel holds the vill of Sareshull, with the woods and wastes, of the
Barony of Stafford, afforested since the time above stated.
William Trumwyne and Robert de Wyston hold the vill of Little Sardon,
with the woods and wastes, of the Barony of Duddeleye, afforested since the
time above stated.
William de Pole and Wlades (Gladys) his wife hold the vill of Great
Sardon, with the waste and appurtenances, of Robert de Estaundon, afforested
since the time above stated.
Rauf de Covene holds the vill of Covene, with the woods and waste, of
the Barony of Estafford, afforested since the time above stated.
Edward, the son of Phelip Burnel, holds the vill of Brunesford, with the
woods and waste, of the Barony of Duddeleye, afforested since the time
above stated.
Richard de Loges holds the vill of Great Wyrleye, not afforested, of the
fee of the Bishop of Chester; but the woods and the wastes of the vill have
been afforested since the time above stated.
Thomas de Darlaston holds the vill of Darlaston, with the woods and
wastes, of the Barony of Duddeley, afforested since the time above stated.
William de Penne holds the vill of Gorsticote, with the waste, of the
Barony of Duddeley, afforested since the time above stated.
The Dean of Wulverenehampton holds part of the wood and waste in
Hatherdon on the side of Watlingstrete towards the south, afforested since
the time above stated.
Wautier de Beysyn holds part of the waste in Eton on the side of Watlingstrete towards the south, afforested since the time above stated.
And they say that the above-named vills, woods, and wastes on the side
of Watlingstrete towards the south have been afforested since the time above
stated; and being asked why they know that the woods above named have
been afforested since the coronation of King Henry, the great-grandfather of
the present King, they say they know it by the evidence of old people
(aunciene gentz), and by those who best know the truth of the matter, and by
perambulations previously made (par puralees avant fetes). Being asked what
woods were afforested in the time of that King, they say they know not, but
they were afforested since the coronation of the said King Henry. In testimony of which things the jurors above named have set their seals to this
perambulation.
The Perambulation of the Forest of Kynefare in the County of Stafford,
made before Monsire Rogier Brabazon, Sire William Boutevileyn, Sire Johan
Druwel, and Sire Henry de Guldeford, Justices of our Lord the King assigned
to make it, on the Saturday in the week of Pentecuste, 28 Ed. I. (14th June 1300),
in the presence of Johan fitz Phelip, Warden (gardien) of the Forest, Richard de
Prestwode, Forester in fee, Johan de Perton, Phelip de Lutteleye, and Waryn
de Penne, Verderers of the said forest, and by the oath of Robert de Estaundon,
William de Mere, Geffrey de Gresel, Johan de Wasteneys, Henry de Cressewall, Hughe de Weston, and Henry Mauveisyn, Chevalers; William de
Wrottesleye, Robert le Hunt, Estevene de Wolaston, Richard Sprigornel,
Michel de Morton, Henry de Alrewas, Robert de Somerford, Thomas de
Tytnesovere, Robert de Sewallefeyld, Henri de Verdoun, William de Tymmor, Richard de Beckebury, Robert de Horseleye, William de Tamenhorn,
Johan de Cressewall, Johan de Tresel, Mestre Robert de Kyderminstre,
Clement de Dunclent, Richard de Suttone, and Thomas de Lutteleye, who
state that the bounds of the said Forest of Kynefare begin at the water of
Smethestall, and so descending by the Tresel water as far as the doit of
Hinkesford, and thence ascending as far as the high road to Holebache, and
then by the said road as far as a doit which is between the vill of Amelecote,
and the vill of Kyngeswyneford, and then descending from this doit as far as
the olde forde, and then ascending as far as the Ruggesende, and then
ascending by a footpath (sente) as far as the Croked Apeltre, and thus as far
as Wolfeswrosne, and then ascending as far as Feckebury, and so as far as
Beefold, and thence to Ovemaste mere, and then ascending as far as Wheldon
hulle, and thus to Durhull, and then as far as Doune Coppe, and then
ascending as far as Furslades, and then as far as Berkes medwe, and so
ascending by Stour water as far as a hedge which is the boundary between the
manor of Kynefare and Wolvardesleye, and then by the before-mentioned
hedge as far as the wood of Kynefare, and so ascending as far as the Merehul
under the Stonyhul, and then ascending as far as the Mere Ok on the Egge
coppe, and so descending to the high road which goes to Kideminstre, and
then across (entravers) this road as far as Kyngesfordes mere, and then
between the meres of Kynyngford and Kynefare as far as the boundaries of
Arleye, and then between the bounds of Kynefare and Arleye as far as the
bounds of Rommesleye, and then as far as Stonemonnesleye, and then
ascending by the lane (venelle) as far as Hevedyord, which is as far as
Depedale, and thence to Rommere, and then descending by a sichet as far as
Liones meduwe, and then by the high road which is called Chestrewey as far
as Spitelbrouk, and then descending as far as Fulsiche, and then ascending by
Foulsiche as far as the Urlestrete, and so to Blake slouche, and then under
(desuz) the Rugge as far as the Brocholes, and so to Quatsouk near Two eth,
and then ascending by a road as far as the Birchles, to the Holou mereheved,
and so by the said road as far as a footpath (sente) under the Sholle (desuz la
Sholle), and so by this path as far as Badicoteswey, and so descending by this
road to Smethestalleswey, and by Smethestallswey as far as Smethestalleford,
at the place whence the bounds commence.
And they say that within these bounds exists the Forest of our Lord the
King. And they say that the wood of Kyngesleye, and the manor of
Tettenhale by the bounds written below are the demesne of the King in the
forest, that is to say, from Whistewykeford ascending by the road which
leads from Whistwyke towards Stafford as far as the mill of Rodesford, and
thence to the Dounpoul, thence descending as far as Milboruwe wall, and so
descending as far as the Whitebon in Saffemor, and so descending as far as
Oxneford, and then ascending by a sichet as far as the high road which runs
from Trescote to Wulverenhampton, and so by the said road as far as
Poukediches Lydeyate, and thence by a road as far as Wythewykesforde.
And they say that the vills of Nether Penne, Overton, Tresel, and Seysdon,
Womburne, and Swyndon, and a part of Humeleleye (Himley), a part of the
land of Kingeswyneford, a part of the land of Amelecote (Amblecote), the vill
of Wolaston, a part of Swyneford, of Pebbemor, of Haggeleye, of Brome, the
vill of Chirchehull, the vill of Wennorton, a part of Yeldentre, of Chaddesle,
of Hurcote, of the waste of Kyderminstre, the vills of Dunelent, Hetheye, and
the vills of Wolvardesley, Kynyngford, Arleye, Evenesfeud (Enville), Morf,
and Lutteley, Bobyngton, with the wood and the wastes and the appurtenances,
have been afforested since the coronation of King Henry the great-grandfather
of the present King. In testimony of which things the jurors above named
have set their seals.
Up to this point the perambulations are in French, the following Precept
by the King is added in Latin:—
"Ita quod quicquid per istas perambulationes ponitur extra forestam
remaneat extra forestam, et residuum remaneat foresta secundum metas et
bundas predictas in perpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras
fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Lincoln die xiiii. Februarii, anno
regni nostri vicessimo nono."