and then defining the boundary usually by a hedge, the most common method mentioned in the court
rolls. Hedge and ditch, pale and brick walls were also used to define enclosures. Sometimes, when an
enclosure had actually been sanctioned by the Court of Attachments (a legal enclosure for which a
licence to enclose was granted), a stipulation was that the enclosure should be defined by a hedge and
ditch, presumably so that the extent of the enclosure could not further be questioned. Most of the
enclosure banks, from my experience today, were not very extensive earth works. However, there
were exceptions. In 1799 George Clarke of Woodford was presented for enclosing about 3 acres of
Forest land (the old brick ground) with a ditch about five feet deep and a 'Cock Hedge' (CAII p.33).
Many enclosures were thrown open at the times of the arbitrators award around 1878. However,
many of the enclosure boundaries are still visible on the ground today. One area of extensive enclosure
in the Forest is that between Manor Road. Loughton and Earl's Path, Loughton (Fig. 6).
Much of this area is traversed by shallow ditches as shown on the enclosure map; occasionally a
ditch and bank is present, surmounted by a hedge. The Conservators Nursery Road Pound (part of
enclosure 361) has a bank and ditch, about 2 ft. deep (Fig. 2.6) with a hedge of largely Common
Hawthorn (which has been plashed). The hedge has been invaded by other species such as Sycamore
and Field Maple with a few Holly. Elder, Norway Maple and Yew. Ivy covers much of the boundary
bank itself. Plants seen growing on the hedge bank include Goosegrass, Bramble, Cocksfoot Grass,
Hedge Woundwort, Nettle. Herb Robert. Ground Elder. White Bryony, Black Bryony, Hedge Parsley,
Creeping Buttercup. Foxglove. Creeping Thistle, False Oat Grass, Cow Parsley, Angelica,
Three-veined Sand-wort and Solomon's Seal.
In other places on this map only smaller less well-defined ditches are to be found. Paul's Nursery
hedge is rather gappy. Common Hawthorn, Holly and Oak are present. At one point the hedge is almost
pure Holly. Just north of Earls Path and east of the Robin Hood public house are several shallow
ditches and banks, in places ill defined. The 1863 Ordnance Survey map (VHM R 5413) indicates a
brick field was present in this area.
Fig. 7 The enclosure map of 1877, showing enclosure boundaries in the Chingford Plain area