Monument record MDO47555 - Royal Forest of Gillingham

The Royal Forest of Gillingham (centred ST 840265) was originally one of the divisions of the extensive and ancient forest districts of Selwood. Perambulations of the bounds weremade in the reign of Henry III and subsequently in 1278, 1300, 1365 and 1568. Hutchins includes extracts of these documents and the proceedings relating to disafforestation in 1625-28. Within the forest were three walks, which are described in 1627 as Woodsend Walk (505 acres), Clear or Middle Walk (1153 acres) and laund Walk (750 acres) together with Gillingham Park. The commission who disafforested Gillingham in 1628 alloted a considerable crown portion formerly common pasture, to Sir James Fullerton who enclosed and fenced the land. This was vehemently resisted by rioting commoners and borderers who partly destryed the fences and ditches of the enclosure.

In 1630 the ringleaders and 87 other rioters were substantially fined and bound to good behaviour for these offences. See illustration card for copy of Gillingham Forest map of 1624 (4) and forest boundary plan based on OS 1" 1811 and Medieval perambulation. <1-4>

<1> Shipp, W (ed), 1868, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 3 (Monograph). SWX3207.

<2> Fox, J C, 1905, The Royal Forests of England, 330-331 (Monograph). SDO20362.

<3> Page, W (Ed), 1908, The Victoria History of the County of Dorset 2, 288-294 (Monograph). SWX1805.

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 48 Plate 56 (Monograph). SDO99.

Map of Royal Forest of Gillingham 1624

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206385 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 14 2023 4:54PM