The inference to be drawn from such prohibitory investigations is, that, owing to the remunerative character of the Forest iron works, they had become undesirably numerous, causing an inexpedient waste of the adjoining woods, besides hampering the rights of the Crown.
An immediate effect ensued, as the following memoranda show:—
In the same year as aforesaid, “John de Monmouth is commanded to permit the Abbot and Monks of Flaxlegh to have their forge working in the Forest of Dean, according to the charter of Richard I. (which they have thereof), in the same manner as they had it in the time of King John, notwithstanding that all forges are prohibited in the Forest except the demesne forges.” [13b]
In the same year, John de Monmouth is commanded “to permit Walter de Lacy to have his forge (fabrica) in the Forest of Dean as he was accustomed to have it, temp. Hen. II. and John, which was prohibited at the time of our general prohibition.” Now, also, John de Monmouth received the king’s directions as follows:—“William Fitz-Warren has shown the king that whereas Walter de Lacy gave him a forge, which the said Walter and his ancestors have been accustomed to have, temp. Hen. II., Ric. I.,
and John, and which was prohibited in our general prohibition—we command you to allow the said William to have the said forge (fabrica) moveable in the Forest; but that the forge which the said Walter erected without our order shall remain quiet (remanenta otiosa).”
The next year, 1221, John de Monmouth is ordered to allow Philip de Bantun, Rob. de Alba Mara, John de Lacy, Will. de Dene, Will de Abbenhale, and Thomas de Blakeney, foresters of fee in the Forest of Dean, and Nigell Hathway, Martin de la Boze, John Fitz-Hugh, Richard Wither, Rob. Fitz-Warren, Will. Cadel, John Blund, Alexander de Staurs, Roger Wither, John Fitz-Gadway, serventes de feods, to have their “forgias itinerantes ad mortuum et siccum” as they were accustomed to have them temp. Ric. I. and John. [14a] A similar privilege was granted, the same year, to Matilda de Cautilupe and Henry, Earl of Warwick—the latter at Lidenie—to have their “forgia,” as well as to Walter de Aure to have his “forgia itinerans,” and Richd. de Estun his “fabrica.” [14b] So, likewise, in 1223 (7 Hen. III.), the Monks of Flaxlegh were directed to have “forgiam suam,” as in the time of King John.
A document [14c] without a date, but unquestionably belonging to the early part of the reign of Hen. III., to whom it seems to be addressed by way of an official report on the state of the Forest, affords the earliest compendium that has been discovered of the extent of its iron works at this period.
Concerning the “Fabricis,” these authorities say, that the Monks of Flaxley have “unam fabricam arrantem” at Ardland, in the Forest of our lord the King, and have, where they please, each week, two oaks, &c. &c.
Mabilia de Cautelup has one “fabricam arrantem,” at Ettelaw, and three “fossatas” of green wood and one oak for the same, &c. They say, also, that John Malemort (gruyer) holds one “fabricam,” &c., and fells one oak each week, where he pleases.
They likewise say that the constable of St. Briavel’s Castle holds, in the same place, “unam fabricam,” which is sustained by what is felled for the “fabricam” of the said John, and by other perquisites, &c.