ARCHIVE RESEARCH HLF THYNGHOWE
Document Ref MS 72 Ref No Show full catalogue for this collection
Title: Forest Books relating to Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, c.1700-1744 Dates Of Creation 1700-1744 Extent 2 volumes Abstract The collection contains two manuscript forest books relating to the administration and legislation of Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. One of the volumes is based on 17th century material, the other volume is 18th century.
Admin History: The first volume in this collection (MS 72/1) was apparently compiled as a precedent book for reference by local forest officials. It was suggested by Helen Boulton, in 'The Sherwood Forest Book', Thoroton Society Record Series: volume 23 (Nottingham: Thoroton Society, 1965), that the volume dates to 'before 1680', and could have been compiled by or for William Cartwright, gentleman of Southwell, who was appointed keeper of the walk of Farnsfield in Sherwood in 1673, and whose deputy was one of the Warren family. However, the first 61 folios are written in a lawyer's hand of the early to mid-eighteenth century. The remainder, following straight on from the first hand, is in a round hand of similar date. The book was transcribed in the early twentieth century by W.A. James, prebendary of South Muskham, who dated it at 'about 1700-1725 by the writing and contents of the book'. It is possible that it is a slightly later copy of a compilation created in the seventeenth century.
The second volume (MS 72/2), written in 1744, has similarities with the first, but has additional entries suggesting that it was compiled by an antiquarian with an interest in Sherwood Forest, rather than as a working document. There is nothing within the volume to identify the compiler. Custodial History MS 72/1 is is marked with the signature of Richard Becher [of South Muskham, d 1800], in a different hand from the rest of the text. By 1880 it was in the possession of the Carding family of Combs Farm, Farnsfield, descendents of the Warren family of the same place. The Warren family had been for many years connected with the forest. It is probably a coincidence that a Michael Carding or Carden was deputy keeper of Roomwood and Osland from around 1665 to at least 1673.
MS 72/2 bears the bookplates of the naturalist Salvin Osbert (1835-1898), and of an unidentified individual named James Comerford, with the family motto 'So Ho Ho Dea Ne' [Comerford family of Kilkenny, Ireland].
The volumes were acquired by the library of The University of Nottingham in 1952 and 1955.
The second volume (MS 72/2), written in 1744, has similarities with the first, but has additional entries suggesting that it was compiled by an antiquarian with an interest in Sherwood Forest, rather than as a working document. There is nothing within the volume to identify the compiler. Custodial History MS 72/1 is is marked with the signature of Richard Becher [of South Muskham, d 1800], in a different hand from the rest of the text. By 1880 it was in the possession of the Carding family of Combs Farm, Farnsfield, descendents of the Warren family of the same place. The Warren family had been for many years connected with the forest. It is probably a coincidence that a Michael Carding or Carden was deputy keeper of Roomwood and Osland from around 1665 to at least 1673.
MS 72/2 bears the bookplates of the naturalist Salvin Osbert (1835-1898), and of an unidentified individual named James Comerford, with the family motto 'So Ho Ho Dea Ne' [Comerford family of Kilkenny, Ireland].
The volumes were acquired by the library of The University of Nottingham in 1952 and 1955.
Scope And Content: The collection comprises two manuscript volumes bound in leather, relating to the administration and legislation of Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. The volumes include copies of statutes and ordinances, perambulations of forest bounds, inquisitions, examples of writs, chapters of regard, and extracts from the forest eyres. Matters such as the status of people living in the forest, felling of trees, hunting of animals, and boundary marks are discussed. Names of places and people associated with the forest are occasionally given. Both volumes are based on earlier forest books, particularly the late-fifteenth century Middleton Forest Book also held at The University of Nottingham, and also transcribe authenticated copies of the public records in London (now held at The National Archives), sent to Nottinghamshire. The identity of the compilers of both volumes is unknown.
The first volume (MS 72/1), containing 147 folios of text and a further c.100 folios of blank pages, begins with the following statement: 'A forest book containing the laws, statutes and ordinances of the forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham'. The first 54 folios contain the same material as the Middleton Forest Book and parts of the early-seventeenth century Forest Book in The National Archives (Exchequer KR Accounts Various 534/1). It then goes on to include other material of later date. The latest dated item is dated 1666. The volume is accompanied by four items of correspondence, 1903-1953, relating to its loan to various people for study purposes. It is sometimes known as 'The Carding Forest Book'.
The second volume (MS 72/2) begins with the following statement: 'A book: Concerning the Forest of Sherwood extracted from two old forest books one in the possession of Sir George Savile Bart [this book is now held by Nottinghamshire Archives] and the other of Mr William Watson of Farnsfield [possibly MS 72/1, mentioned above].' The volume is dated 1744 and is written in a single hand of contemporary date. The first 100 pages closely match the first 54 folios of MS 72/1, the Middleton Forest Book and the Exchequer Forest Book. However, it also contains other items suggesting that it was compiled for antiquarian interest rather than working reference. It includes: list of meanings of certain blasts on a hunting horn heard in the forest, terms describing deer and rabbits, descriptions of forest terms and offices, hunting restrictions, plea concerning the Abbey of Rufford, perambulations, and articles. The volume was re-bound, probably in the late eighteenth or early-nineteenth century. At this time, a printed engraving of a deer hunter, published in London in 1782, was inserted at the beginning of the volume. Mgt Group Family and estate collections Mgt Sub Group Nottinghamshire Arrangement No archival arrangement has been necessary. Language English Language Latin Term Forests and forestry - England - Nottinghamshire
The first volume (MS 72/1), containing 147 folios of text and a further c.100 folios of blank pages, begins with the following statement: 'A forest book containing the laws, statutes and ordinances of the forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham'. The first 54 folios contain the same material as the Middleton Forest Book and parts of the early-seventeenth century Forest Book in The National Archives (Exchequer KR Accounts Various 534/1). It then goes on to include other material of later date. The latest dated item is dated 1666. The volume is accompanied by four items of correspondence, 1903-1953, relating to its loan to various people for study purposes. It is sometimes known as 'The Carding Forest Book'.
The second volume (MS 72/2) begins with the following statement: 'A book: Concerning the Forest of Sherwood extracted from two old forest books one in the possession of Sir George Savile Bart [this book is now held by Nottinghamshire Archives] and the other of Mr William Watson of Farnsfield [possibly MS 72/1, mentioned above].' The volume is dated 1744 and is written in a single hand of contemporary date. The first 100 pages closely match the first 54 folios of MS 72/1, the Middleton Forest Book and the Exchequer Forest Book. However, it also contains other items suggesting that it was compiled for antiquarian interest rather than working reference. It includes: list of meanings of certain blasts on a hunting horn heard in the forest, terms describing deer and rabbits, descriptions of forest terms and offices, hunting restrictions, plea concerning the Abbey of Rufford, perambulations, and articles. The volume was re-bound, probably in the late eighteenth or early-nineteenth century. At this time, a printed engraving of a deer hunter, published in London in 1782, was inserted at the beginning of the volume. Mgt Group Family and estate collections Mgt Sub Group Nottinghamshire Arrangement No archival arrangement has been necessary. Language English Language Latin Term Forests and forestry - England - Nottinghamshire
Finding Aids: This description is the only finding aid available for the volumes.
Copyright on the description belongs to The University of Nottingham. AccessConditions Accessible to all registered readers. Copyright Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk). Reprodn Note Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents. Condition Good but the cover of MS 72/1 is loose and the binding would benefit from attention.
- Related Material The University of Nottingham; Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections: 'The Middleton Forest Book', 15th-16th century. Reference: Mi L 3/1-2
- Related Material Nottinghamshire Archives: 'The Savile Forest Book' and 'The County Forest Book'. 16th-17th century.
- Related Material British Library: 'The Manvers Forest Book'. 16th century. Reference: Egerton MS 3596 Related Material Bodleian Library, Oxford: Manuscript book relating to Sherwood Forest. 16th-17th century. Reference: Ashmole MS 1145
- Related Material The National Archives: Two manuscript books relating to Sherwood Forest. 17th century. Reference: Exchequer KR Accounts Various 534/20, 534/1
- Related Material Bromley House Library, Nottingham: Manuscript book relating to Sherwood Forest, 17th-18th century and transcription of MS 72/1 by W.A. James, 1933. Publn Note Helen Boulton, ed., 'The Sherwood Forest Book', Thoroton Society Record Series: volume 23 (Nottingham: Thoroton Society, 1965).
Document Ref Pl C 63/12 Ref No Show full catalogue for this collection Title Copy letter from Joseph Fletcher, Chatsworth, to Mr John Renshaw; 11 May 1792 Dates Of Creation 11.5.1792 Extent 2 ff Content Description Repeats the contents of a letter dated 31 Oct. 1791 relating to the Duke of Portland's rights over various lands in Sherwood Forest and in the manors of Mansfield and Edwinstowe [see Pl C 63/7 ]; explains that Mr Gould has been incapacitated through illness and has requested Mr Fletcher (as his predecessor as land agent at Welbeck) to answer the queries of the 'Commissioners for enquiring into the state and condition of the Forest and Land Revenues of the Crown'; states that the Duke of Portland and his predecessors have exercised their rights over Lindhurst Wood and Nomans Wood in the manors of Mansfield and Woodhouse, and over the Hays of Birkland and Billagh in the manor of Edwinstowe, for more than 100 years; offers in evidence for such claims legal cases dating back to the reign of King Charles II.
See Pl E12/13/1/4/40 for copy and Pl E12/13/1 series passim for related material.
See Pl E12/13/1/4/40 for copy and Pl E12/13/1 series passim for related material.
Ma 2 P/50/1 1900 c Map of Birkland, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire; n.d. [c.1900]
MS 237 1895-1902 Papers relating to Nottinghamshire local history compiled by Cecil Foljambe (1846-1907), 1st Earl of Liverpool, 1895-1902
Pl E12/4/1/49 8.10.1808 Draft appointment of copyhold premises in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, to William H. Cavendish-Bentinck-Scott, Marquess of Titchfield [later 4th Duke of Portland]; 8 Oct. 1808 Show full record
Pl E12/4/1/50 8.10.1808 Draft appointment of copyhold premises in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, to William H. Cavendish-Bentinck-Scott, Marquess of Titchfield [later 4th Duke of Portland]; 8 Oct. 1808 Show full record
Pl E12/4/2/39 13.1.1820 Copy award for the enclosure of Crown lands in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire; 13 Jan. 1820 Show full record
Pl E12/4/2/45 8.1.1819 Copy agreement for an exchange of lands in Nottinghamshire between the 4th Duke of Portland and the 1st Earl Manvers, 8 Jan. 1819; n.d. Show full record
Pl E12/4/2/46 23.1.1821 Award and valuation of estates in Nottinghamshire intended to be exchanged between the 4th Duke of Portland and the 2nd Earl Manvers; 23 Jan. 1821
Show full record
Pl E12/6/11/12/14 27.7.1868 Draft covenant to surrender copyhold land in the manors of Edwinstowe and Edwinstowe Rectory, Nottinghamshire, to the 5th Duke of Portland; 27 Jul. 1868 Show full record
Pl E12/6/11/12/14 27.7.1868 Draft covenant to surrender copyhold land in the manors of Edwinstowe and Edwinstowe Rectory, Nottinghamshire, to the 5th Duke of Portland; 27 Jul. 1868 Show full record
Pl E12/6/11/12/15 1868 Draft surrender of copyhold land in the manor of Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, to the 5th Duke of Portland; 1868 Show full record
Pl E12/6/11/12/58 1894 Draft admittance of the trustees of the will of the 5th Duke of Portland to his copyhold estate in the manor of Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire; 1894 Show full record
Pl E12/6/11/12/68 18.8.1894 Draft enfranchisement of Kingstand Farm, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, in favour of the trustees of the 6th Duke of Portland; 18 Aug. 1894 Show full record
Pl E12/13/1/4/22-43 Jul 1849-14 Nov 1851 Documentary evidence etc. for the reference between the Duke of Portland and the Earl of Scarbrough; July 1849-14 Nov. 1851 and n.d. Show full record
Pl E12/16/1/1-11 1726-1825 Bundle of enclosure awards, Acts etc. relating to places in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire; 1726-1825
Pl E12/16/1/1-11 1726-1825 Bundle of enclosure awards, Acts etc. relating to places in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire; 1726-1825
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Online Document SC 8/71/3537
and let justice be done to him. Scotland Bilhaugh, [Nottinghamshire] Birklands, [Nottinghamshire] Forest of Sherwood. Edward II, King of England John de Croumbwelle (Cromwell), Justice of the Forest Geoffrey de Mortimer. The petition dates to c. 1329 as Date: 1329 Source: DocumentsOnline (images of documents from The National Archives)
Petitioners: Simon Scot. Addressees: King and council. Places mentioned: Scotland; Bilhaugh, [Nottinghamshire]; Birklands, [Nottinghamshire]; Forest of Sherwood. Other people mentioned: Edward II, King of England; John de Croumbwelle (Cromwell), Justice Date: 1329 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Nottinghamshire: Sherwood Forest. 'A Plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh within the Forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham belonging to the Crown. Surveyed in the year 1791 by Order of the Commissioners appointed by an Act of Parliament passed Date: 1793 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
plots. Folded, in a case. This map seems to be a slightly later version of MPZ 1/8/1. 2 maps of parts of Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. Detailed descriptions are given at item level. Date: 1791 - 1793 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Woods Forests and Land Revenues of the Crown Land Revenue Office March 1793'. Nottinghamshire: Sherwood Forest. Two versions of a plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh. Detailed descriptions are given at item level. Date: 1793 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Shows Edwinstowe church, trees and various named features. Reference table gives acreage of numbered plots. Scale: 1 inch to 10 chains. Folded, in a case. 2 maps of parts of Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. Detailed descriptions are given at item level. Date: 1791 - 1793 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Nottinghamshire: Sherwood Forest. 'A Plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh within the Forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham belonging to the Crown. Surveyed in the year 1791 by Order of the Commissioners appointed by an Act of Parliament passed Date: 1793 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Title is set towards upper right of sheet; no dedication. Nottinghamshire: Sherwood Forest. Two versions of a plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh. Detailed descriptions are given at item level. Date: 1793 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Nottinghamshire: Sherwood Forest. 'A Plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh within the Forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham belonging to the Crown. Surveyed in the year 1791 by Order of the Commissioners appointed by an Act of Parliament passed Date: 1793 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Sherwood Forest: survey of ground called "Birkland" or "the King's hay of Birkland" (21ff) . Sherwood Forest: survey of ground called "Birkland" or "the King's hay of Birkland" (21ff) NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Trustees for Crown Lands and Fee Farm Rents: Parliamentary Date: 1656 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Grant (copy) of Anne to Duke of Newcastle of right to empark 3,000 ac. of Sherwood Forest (being his property) in Clumber, Hardwick, Bothamsall alias Normanton and Carburton (bounds given in detail); and licence to cut a riding through "decayed wood at Date: 1709 Source: Access to Archives (A2A): not kept at The National Archives
there; a book of records concerning Sherwood Forest; fees and salaries of forest officers; who appoints the clerk of the forest courts; extra-parochial tithes; assarts, particularly at Blidworth.. [Nottinghamshire Archives, Portland of Welbeck (1st... Date: 1671 Source: Access to Archives (A2A): not kept at The National Archives
Sherwood Forest Book Pleas of the forest chiefly held at Mansfield 1662-1676; letters patent creating William, marquis of Newcastle, guardian and chief justice of all forests, parks, chases and warrens beyond Trent, 16 July 1661; at front: tabula ordinum Date: 1661 - 1676 Source: Access to Archives (A2A): not kept at The National Archives
Nottinghamshire: plan of part of Sherwood Forest called Birkland, bounded by Budby, Clipston and Warston parishes. No endorsement concerning enrolment of any deed to which this plan might relate. . 101 items comprising: 98 plans detached from enrolments Date: 1835 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Information relating to document ref. no. DD/4P/75/37
Copy allowance by commissioners for surveying Sherwood. Reciting claim of John Gosling, gent., to (a) rangership and keepership of walks of Bilhay and Birkland, with White Lodge House and commons, right of browse wood and fence wood, keepership of walks Date: 1658 - 1659 Source: Access to Archives (A2A): not kept at The National Archives
[Nottingham University Library, Papers of the Holles...] Date: 1709 - 1710 Source: Access to Archives (A2A): not kept at The National Archives
Nottinghamshire: Sherwood Forest. Two versions of a plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh. Detailed descriptions are given at item level. . Nottinghamshire: Sherwood Forest. Two versions of a plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh. Detailed descriptions Date: 1793 Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Information relating to document ref. no. DD/4P/75/60
Manuscript maps
National Archives
- Map of the southern part of Sherwood Forest, comprising an area between the rivers Trent, Leen and Doverbeck, and north to Bestwood Park, Arnold and Sansum Wood and showing waterways, woodlands, boundaries of lordships, fields (some with names of occupiers and acreages), towns in plan and roads. (1609) [MR 1/1142]
The map has been re-drawn and published with the accompanying survey in:
Stephanos Mastoris and Sue Groves (eds.) Sherwood Forest in 1609. A Crown survey by Richard Bankes, Thoroton Society Record Series, vol. XL, 1997
- Gleadthorpe (possibly by Richard Bankes), early 17th century [MPF 295]
- Plan of Sir Charles Cavendish's estate comprising the village of Carburton in Edwinstowe, Roome Woode, Burnt Hastings, Hurst Field and Welbeck Abbey, 1615 [MR 1/429/1]
- Plan of lands in and around Kirkby in Ashfield, showing waste land and wood, and denoting the lands of Sir Charles Cavendish, 1615 [MR 1/429/2]
- Plan of part of Sherwood Forest called Birkland, bounded by Budby, Clipston and Warston parishes. No endorsement concerning enrolment of any deed to which this plan might relate. (c.1835) [MPEE 1/3/58]
- Two versions of a plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh. ( 1793) [MPE 1/339]
- 'A Plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh within the Forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham belonging to the Crown. Surveyed in the year 1791 by Order of the Commissioners appointed by an Act of Parliament passed in the 26th Year of King George the IIId., [?1793], [MPE 1/340]
- 'A Plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh within the Forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham belonging to the Crown. Surveyed in the year 1791 by Order of the Commissioners appointed by an Act of Parliament passed in the 26th Year of King George the IIId., [?1793], [MPE 1/341]
- 'A Plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh within the Forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham belonging to the Crown. Surveyed in the year 1791 by Order of the Commissioners appointed by an Act of Parliament passed in the 26th Year of King George the 3rd., 1793, [MPE 1/342]
- 'A Plan of the Hays of Birkland and Bilhagh within the Forest of Sherwood in the County of Nottingham belonging to the Crown. Surveyed in the year 1791 by Order of the Commissioners appointed by an Act of Parliament passed in the 26th Year of King George the III d., 1791, [MPE 1/547]
- Return relating to the cutting of trees in the forest 1663-1664, apparently not relating to the map at (2). (2) 'North-East part of Billow [Bilhaugh in Edwinstowe], the South-East part of Thorsby and the South-West part of Palethrop [both in Perlethorpe cum Budby]'., [1664]-[?1683], [MPE 1/1467]
- Two plans of areas in Sherwood Forest. (1) Plan of Nomans Wood, showing acreage and roads. Scale: 1 inch to 10 chains. Compass indicator. (2) Plan of the forest, showing names of places, named fields, parks, chases, and roads. Dimensions: (1) 37., [early 19th century], [MPE 1/1468]
Belvoir Castle Manuscripts
- Map of Sherwood Forest, c.1400 — the map is reproduced and discussed in detail in Barley, M. W. 'Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire', in Skelton, R. A. and Harvey, P. D. A., eds., Local Maps and Plans from Medieval England (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1986), 131-139, ill
- Map of Sherwood Forest (late 16th/early 17th century) – the map is illustrated in D Price, Medieval land surveying and topographical maps, Geographical Journal, 121 (1955), plate 3
Nottingham City Museums
- Kighill and Ravenshead wastes by Thomas Langdon, 1613 [Fraser 262]
Nottinghamshire Archives
- Map showing the conjunction of the boundaries of the lordships of Warsop, Clipstone and Birklands wood, 1606 [WP 5 S]
- Sketch map showing brecks in Allamore Side, Blidworth, later 17th century [BD 6 S]
- Map of Lenton and Radford by Richard Smythe, 1632 [RD 3 L]
- Map of Rufford lordship by John Bunting, 1637 [RF 4 L]
British Library
- 'The fforest of Sherwoode’ (late 16th/early 17th century) [BL, Additional MSS, 74219] — the map is illustrated and discussed in detail in S Mastoris, A newly discovered perambulation map of Sherwood Forest in the early seventeenth century, Transactions of the Thoroton Society, 102 (1998)
Portland Estate Office, Welbeck Abbey
- The Welbeck Atlas, by William Senior includes 19 maps of estates in Nottinghamshire, 10 of which lay within Sherwood Forest (photographic copies of the maps are held at Nottinghamshire Archives)
Chatsworth House
- William Senior’s survey of the estates of the first and second Earls of Devonshire, c.1600-28 includes a map of Sutton in Ashfield
List from Thoroton Society Click Here
The Forest Books of Sherwood.
The Forest Books were originally compiled as memoranda and were intended to be works of reference on the administration of the forest and to be records of forest rights and privileges. They include copies of:
- Statutes and ordinances
- Perambulations of forest boundaries
- Inquisitions
- Examples of writs
- Chapters of regard and
- Extracts from forest eyres
There are 15 surviving Forest Books for Sherwood Forest:
- National Archives, The Exchequer, Treasury of Receipt, Miscellaneous Book No. 76 (see Helen E. Boulton (ed.) The Sherwood Forest Book, Thoroton Society Record Series XXIII, 1965 for a full transcript)
- The Middleton Forest Book [University of Nottingham, MSS Department: Mi L 3/1-2]
- The Savile Forest Book (Rufford Abbey copy c.1216-c.1447) [Nottinghamshire Archives: DD/SR/20 ]
- The Manvers Forest Book [British Library: Egerton MS 3596]
- ‘RECORDS of Sherwood Forest, co. Notts’ [British Library: Add MS 36790]
- [Bodleian Library, MS Ashmole 1145]
- ‘PARTICULAR FORESTS: NORTH OF TRENT: Book of translations of charters and other documents relating to Sherwood forest.’ [National Archives: E 101/535/1]
- ‘PARTICULAR FORESTS: NORTH OF TRENT: An imperfect paper note-book relating to Sherwood forest.’ [National Archives: E 101/534/20]
- ‘PARTICULAR FORESTS: NORTH OF TRENT: Book of translations of charters and other documents relating to Sherwood forest.’ [National Archives: E 101/534/1]
- 'Sherwood Forest Book' and associated papers c.1661-1934 [Nottinghamshire Archives: DD/SK/229/1-9/12]
- The Carding Forest Book [University of Nottingham, MSS Department: MS 72/1]
- ‘A Book Concerning the Forest of Sherwood extracted from the old Forest Bookes onces in Possession of Sir George Savile Bart and the other of Mr. Willaim Watson of Farnsfield 1744’ [University of Nottingham, MSS Department: MS 72 /2]
- The Bromley House Forest Book (Bromley House Library Cc.213)
- Forest Book [University Library, Reading]
- ‘Sherwood Forest: the forest book of William Lang, 1778-1787 [National Archives: LRRO 5/51]
- Fragments of Forest Books at the British Library:
- Stowe Ms 850 (contains ‘A Letter concerning the Forest Laws, 1582’ which relates to Sherwood Forest)
- Add. MS. 24816 (history and account of manor of Mansfield and surrounding places in Sherwood Forest)
- Egerton MS. 3596, vol. LXXXI (18th century transcript of laws, statutes and ordinances of Sherwood Forest from time of Stephen to 1505)
Nottinghamshire Archives
In addition to Forest Books detailed above, holdings related to Sherwood Forest include:
- Records of the courts of attachment and swainmote [DD.P 27/3-20]
- Perambulations and miscellaneous ( 1227-1819) [DD.P 27/21-24]
- Enquiry into depredations of woods (c. 1588-59) [DD.P 27/26]
- Documents relating to William Willoughby's title to the manor of Warsop, in particular the relationship between the Forest of Sherwood to the Sheepwalk and Birklands [DD/2106/5/9]
See the catalogue for more information: nawcat.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/search.htm
National Archives
National Archives hold many records relating the Sherwood Forest.
Records from the Chancery include:
- Inquisition held at Nottingham before Roger, abbot of Rufford, William Perpount, knight, Richard Savage, esquire, Alexander Meryng, John Porte and John Neuton, commissioners, concerning William Chamberlen [Chamberlain] of Hucknall Torkard, yeoman, who entered the king's land at Linby Hay in Sherwood Forest and took 7 oak trees worth 9s without licence., 21 Henry VII, [C 142/19/118]
- Thomas de Stratton to enclose his wood of Sturton in Sherwood forest. Notts., 29 HENRY III., [C 143/1/3]
- The prior and convent of Worksop to take heath from Sherwood forest. Notts., 52 HENRY III., C 143/2/36
- W. archbishop of York to fell trees in his woods of Littlehaw and Blidworth in Sherwood forest. Notts., 6 EDWARD I., C 143/4/26
- John de Crumbewell to grant land in the hay of Lindby in Sherwood forest to the prior and convent of Newstead. Notts., 5 EDWARD III., C 143/214/9
- Perambulation of Sherwood Forest, Notts, made before John de Lithegreyns, John Byrun, Michael de Maitecla, Harsculph de Cleseby, Adam de Crokedayk and Richard Oysel, and in the presence of Hugh de Lowther, attorney of Robert de Clifford, Justice of the Forests beyond the Trent, Friday after the Feast of St Barnabas, [1300 June 17], C 67/6A
- Concerning inclosures in Mansfield lordship in Sherwood forest Notts by Thomas Langford and others, 22 Hen VIII, C 47/7/4/4
- Inquisition as to the metes and bounds of the Abbot of Rufford's wood of Swornewode in Sherwood forest 2mm, 9 Edw I, C 47/11/3/11
- Inquisition as to the purprestures by the men of Linby in Sherwood forest, 5 Hen V, C 47/11/9/11
- Sir Francis Molyneux bart. to replace William Cartwright as verderer of Sherwood Forest., 1782 Feb. 11, C 202/170/16
Exchequer records relating to Sherwood Forest include:
- Rolls of the attachment court of Sherwood forest rot 1 presentments for trespasses of vert, made by the forest officers etc, before John de Seint Jovan, Geoffrey de Pickeford and William de Bliburgh, the feast of St Denis rot 4 supporting documents, 18 Edw I, [E 32/129]
- Roll of the congregations of the officers of Sherwood Forest to enquire into the state of the forest since the last congregation, held before John de Vescy, at Nottingham, Blidworth and Edwinstowe, 22 Edw I, [E 32/130]
- Perambulations and other documents relating to Sherwood Forest, Hen III-Edw I, temp Edw I, [E 36/76]
- Attachments, pannage and sales of fern and fallen wood in Sherwood forest., 10 to 17 Edward II., [E 101/134/16]
- Particulars of the account of John de Crumbewell for Sherwood forest., 3 Edward III., [E 101/134/17]
- Particulars of the account of Ralph, earl of Westmoreland, for Sherwood forest., 1 to 5 Henry IV., [E 101/135/21]
- Fines and amercements in Sherwood forest., 6 & 7 Henry VI., [E 101/135/23]
- Roll of the manor court of Edwinstowe in Sherwood forest (5 mm), 2-19 Edw II, [E 146/2/8]
- Sherwood Forest Surveys., 15 & 22 Elizabeth, [E 178/1774]
- Linby Inquisition as to a wood called `Linby Hay,' in Sherwood Forest., 18 Elizabeth, [E 178/1786]
- Fulwood Inquisition as to assart lands in or near Sherwood Forest., 13 James I., [E 178/5035]
- Sherwood Forest Survey., 16 Charles II., [E 178/6405]
- Survey of Bestwood Park (17th century), [E317/Notts/10A]
- Survey of ground called 'Birkland' or 'the King's hay of Birkland' (21ff), 1656 Sept, [E 317/Notts/11]
- Survey of the hay or wood called 'the King's hay of Lyndhurst' (7ff), 1656 Sept, [E 317/Notts/15]
- Survey of the timber assigned to the town of Walesby (3ff), 1656 Sept, [E 317/Notts/25]
Special Collections documents containing references to Sherwood Forest
- The abbot of Welbeck states that his grange of Gladthorp is partly within Sherwood Forest and partly without, but the chief messuage without, and that he holds this grange in pure and perpetual alms, of the gifts of their feoffors, as shown by their charters and confirmed by King John., (1324-1325), [SC 8/8/390]
- Petitioners: Robert de Edenstowe, carpenter. Addressees: King and council. Places mentioned: Clipstone, [Nottinghamshire]; Sherwood Forest; York. Other people mentioned: Master and brothers of the hospital of St Leonard, York. Nature of request: Edenstowe requests an order to the master and brothers of the hospital that they should receive him and sustain him for his life, as he was granted the same by the king's father for his service, and because he was injured at Clipstone, and was ousted from this following the late king's death., (c. 1327), [SC 8/84/4156]
- The Prior of Felley requests the grant of the tithes from three assarts in Sherwood Forest, one called Willey, and the others at Roomwood and Linby to increase the numbers of canons from six to eight., (1305), [SC 8/111/5543]
- Prior and convent of Newstead request licence to depasture sheep and erect buildings inside Sherwood Forest., (1307), [SC 8/131/6530]
- Ralphe Cromwelle requests that he be granted a licence to assart 20 acres of his wood in Lambley in Sherwood Forest, and a licence for 5 acres that he assarted in the wood by licence of the late earl of Cornwall., (1316), [SC 8/241/12011]
Land Registry documents relating to Sherwood Forest include:
- Sherwood Forest: wood sales, 1663-1665, [LR 4/1/1]
- Sherwood Forest: sales of trees blown down or damaged by violent storm 1 Feb 1715, 1716-1746, [LR 4/2/1]
- Sherwood Forest: supply of navy timber, 1762-1765, [LR 4/9/40]
- Regard of Sherwood Forest, 14 Chas II, [LRRO 5/46]
Crown Estate documents relating to Sherwood Forest include:
- Sherwood Forest: timber, produce, etc, 1803-1819, [CRES 2/1092]
- Sherwood Forest: general correspondence and papers, 1672-1827, [CRES 2/1093]
- Notts: Sherwood Forest manor, including accounts of uninclosed and inclosed lands in Thorney Wood Chase, 1792, [CRES 39/42]
Online catalogue: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/default.asp
British Library
Documents relating to Sherwood Forest held by the British Library include:
- Grant of Sherwood Forest. (1643) [Add. 40631 B f. 224]
- Sherwood Forest Appointment of the Duke of Kingston as Steward 1763. [Eg. 3597 f. 1]
- Sherwood Forest. Laws and ordinances, appointments of officials and copies of deeds rel. to, temp. Stephen (copy 18th cent.)-1771. [Eg. 3596 – 3598]
- Sherwood Forest. Petition to the King from J. Truman, Verderer, for an enquiry into the felling of trees late 17th cent. [Eg. 3348 f. 56]
- Sherwood Forest. Pleas in the Forest Court 1663-1675. [Eg.Ch. 5586 – 5590]
- Sherwood Forest. Seal of the Office of the Forest 1663-1675. [Eg.Ch. 5586 , Eg.Ch. 5589 , Eg.Ch. 5590]
- Papers relating to Sherwood Forest, consisting of copies and extracts from charters, patents, inquisitions, pleas of Sherwood Forest, etc., with law cases and correspondence. 16th-19th centuries. [Add. 24816 passim]
- Roll of the "Regard" of Sherwood Forest, 1393. [Add.Ch. 10659]
- Account of deer in Sherwood Forest 1687. [Add. 34769 f. 89]
- Appointment of the Duke of Newcastle as Steward of Sherwood Forest 1765. [Add. 33056 f. 102]
- Licence to assart in Sherwood Forest 1711 [Add. 34769 f.100]
- Notes relating to Sherwood Forest 17th cent. [Add. 34141 f. 14]
- Papers of the Duke of Newcastle, as Warden, relating to Sherwood Forest, 1701-1768. [Add. 33060]
- Presentments at an inquest of the Forest of Sherwood, circ. 1535. [Add. 33193]
- Records of Sherwood Forest, co. Nott., in English, including royal grants and ordinances, writs and pleas of the forest, boundaries, rents, etc., temp. Stephen-Edw. III. 15th cent. [Add. 36790]
- Writs and ordinances relating to Sherwood Forest, including an original letter on the Forest Laws from William Fleetwood, Recorder of London, dated 1582. ff. 314, 339., temp. Edw. I. Copies, 16th cent. [Stowe. 850]
- Documents rel. to commissioners appointed to survey Sherwood Forest 1656-1658 Partly printed [Add. 71599]
- Letters patent to Edward Baliol from Edward III rel. to grant of land to Beauvale Priory in Haye of Willeye in Greasley 1363 Lat Great Seal (imperf.)
Online catalogue for British Library manuscripts: www.bl.uk/catalogues/manuscripts/INDEX.asp
Manuscripts department, University of Nottingham
Include:
- Forest Books relating to Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, c.1700-1744 , 1700-1744, [MS 72],
- Copy appointment of John Stanhope as custodian of the forests of Thornwood in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire; 10 Dec. 1599, [Po 201] ,
- Claim of John Crofts relating to land in Woodborough within Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire; 25 Feb. 1663, [Po 202]
- Volume containing details of the Pleas of the Forests of Hatfield Chase and Galtres co. York and Sherwood, co. Nott , 1546 and 1563, [Pw V 75]
- A Warrant from Lord Treasurer [Earl of Southampton] for cutting down timber in Sherwood Forest for H. M. Navy, 6 April 1663; and a warrant from William Cavendish Marquis of Newcastle for the same purpose, 4 May 1663 [Pw 1/369-70]
Use the online catalogue for more information on these entries and to search for places within the Forest:
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Compiled from various sources by Stuart Reddish
Public Information Research Organisation