2
EPPING FOREST
Forest, from the town of Waltham, in Saxon
Wealdham, i.e. a dwelling in the woods." But
that it was not all barren we learn from Norden,
who, writing at about the same period, said, " This
shire is most fatt, fruitfull, and full of profitable
thinges. . . . This shire seemeth to me to deserve
the title of the Englishe Goshen, the fattest of the
lande : comparable to Palestina that flowed with
milke and hunnye. But I cannot comende the
healthfulnes of it: and especiallie nere the sea
coastes . . . which gave me a moste cruell quar-
terne feuer."
In the reign of King John the grievances of the
people against the Forest laws became intolerable,
and he was compelled to limit the Royal Forest to
what was known as the Forest of Waltham, and
although he sought to evade the consequences of
this concession, it was subsequently confirmed by
Edward I. Its boundaries extended from the
river Lea on the west, to the Romford Road on
the east; and its northern limit passed through
Nazing, Abridge, and Havering-atte-Bower. Three
centuries later King Charles I. attempted again to
enlarge, not only this Forest, but pretty nearly all
the Royal Forests. His object was not so much
to extend his hunting grounds as to extort ex-
orbitant fines from those who held lands within
the enlarged boundaries. He also sought to raise
money by a scheme for the total disafforestation
and sale of Waltham and other Forests.1 These
attempts caused great discontent, and were met
1 That this scheme was at one time nearly realised is shown
by the existence among the State Papers preserved in the
Public Record Office of a list of claims of owners, upon a
contemplated disafforestation of Waltham Forest. Along with
this is another State Paper, which shows that in the case of
Gaultres Forest the disafforestation was actually accomplished
"in pursuance of His Majesty's Royal resolution, as well for
raising moneys for supply of his weighty affairs, as for the
increase of his revenue" ; and we learn further that His
Majesty received £20,000 for his share, and also that "the
said inhabitants by strong hand do make havoc and insuffer-
able spoil of the woods, drive and keep their cattle upon His
Majesty's said part of land, and being disturbed by the pur-
chaser's agents, do make pound-breaches, rescue their cattle,
and beat and wound such as disturb them.