Drawing on new research from both parish and forest sources this book provides an in depth look at what may be a typical New Forest community of the period. Combining local and national records with field work the author builds up a picture of how villagers’ lives evolved, the constraints they had and the relative freedom of life under Forest Law that was itself decaying.

In a chapter devoted to Forest Law in the Tudor and Stuart period the author has discovered and recorded a previously unknown (in the New Forest) class of officers. Manor and parish records provide the framework that is fleshed out by the writings of the villagers themselves through their wills and inventories. Forest inquisitions have recorded the answers of villagers to government questions relating to the use or misuse of the Forest. Sections are devoted to describing farming, housing, food, clothing and occupations as well as the social interactions. Later records have been used to link properties and lives to modern times. A series of appendices provide for a detailed understanding of individual properties and people.

Although centred around the village of Minstead the way of life depicted is likely to be markedly similar to other established communities where Forest and common rights co-existed. The New Forest is one of the few places in England where a remnant of that common land farming may still be seen. Most villagers had dual occupations, often combining a thorough knowledge of the woods with livestock farming. Relying on their legal right to benefit from Crown and Manorial lands they formed strong bonds against outsiders that were rarely broken and continue to this day.

166 pp. + x pp. 35 b&w maps, plans and illustrations, 6 appendices, glossary, mini biographies, bibliography and a comprehensive index.
ISBN 0 9523173 3 8 £20 Half Price Offer - £9.99

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