They reported, also, that “by charters of the Earl of Hereford it was granted to the said abbot and convent to have another forge in the said Forest, which was in use in the time of the said jurors.”
Ralph de Sandwico, Custos of the Castle and Manor of St. Briavels, in his return of monies received on behalf of the Crown from the iron mines
and forges during the 4th of Edward I. (1276), [20a] states as paid:—
| £ | s. | d. | |
| 23 | 6 | 9½ | from the great and little mines of iron and coal. |
| 11 | 6 | 0 | for rent of forges in the Forest. |
| 5 | 15 | 0 | by sale of cinders (cineribus). |
This last item seems to show that even then it was customary to use the old cinders left from the still more ancient workings.
A regard of the Forest, [20b] taken the 10th Edward I. (A.D. 1282), “De Forgeis in Forestâ,” records:—
“It has been presented by the regarders that many ‘forgiæ errantes’ have been and are still in the Forest, and that those who have held and still hold them commit many evils in the Forest, above the wood and beneath it, both by injuring the trees as well as by means of their forges, great detriment being done in the Forest by them and their wood colliers. And these are the names of such as have held or still hold them, viz.:—
“Of Parva Dene.—Ralph Page, William the sharesmith, Thomas Hewlin, William of Hereford, John of Hereford—in all 5.
“Of Blakeney.—Hugo Textor, together with Walter of Blakeney, Adam of Erlyxforde (Ayleford), John Boyce—altogether 3.
“Of Ettelano (Etloe).—Richard Pole.
“Of Lideneye.—John Scot, Stephen Edys.
“Of East Sancto Briavello.—Roger Spore, Adam Betrech, Stephen Marlemort, Nicholas the Pichehere, John Hurel, Philipp Martin, Henry the Bole, Adam Fitawe, Richard Walensis, John Missor, Henry Fitz William of Tullic, William the jailer, William of Ruerdean—altogether 13.
“Of Staunton.—Robert le Noreys, Godfrey le Stempore, William Dorby, Nigel de Staunton, Adam le Coliere, Thomas the jailer, William Cambel, Peter le Monner, Philipp the clerk, William Clayneberd—in all 10.
“Of Bikemore (English Bicknor).—Walter Pisum, another by the same.
“Of Hopo Malhoysel (Hope Mansel).—The Abbot of Gloucester, Henry Duke of Gloucester.
“Of Reruwardin.—William, son of Matilda, Roger Fowel, Nicholas Charlemayne, Thomas Mone, Roger Kingessone, Thomas le Leye, William Baret, William Jordan—altogether 8.
“Of Magna Dene.—Adam Simund, Robert le Paumer, Reginald Balloc, Hugo le Paumer, Robert de la Zone, Galfrid the Nailer, Robert Dun, Thomas Balloc, Hugo Godwyn, Phelicia Pecoe, John Geffrey, Nicholas Drayclasz, Galfrid Dobel, Richard Strongbowe—in all 14.”
According to this return, there were 60 forges (fabrica) at work in the district of the Forest at this period. Of these, 19 were situated on the east side, towards Gloucester; 6 were on the south, towards the Severn; 23 were on the west, towards the Wye; and 12 were on the north, towards Herefordshire. Hence, they were most numerous on the east and west, especially the latter, in accordance with the greater extent of the ancient mine holes on that side.
The annual charge levied by the Crown for each forge was usually at the rate of 13s. 6d., or a mark. When otherwise—for in certain cases it amounted to 20s.—it arose, probably, from some local circumstances connected with the quantity or quality of the iron made at that particular work.
Taken altogether, the forges in the Forest now yielded the king more than £30 every twelve months.