One of the most important sources to the Landscape Archaeologist investigating the landscape of Medieval Sherwood Forest is the 1609 crown survey and map by Richard Bankes.
Picture: Part of the front cover of Thoroton Society Record Series Volume XL (1997). ‘Sherwood Forest in 1609: a Crown survey by Richard Bankes’. Edited by Steph Mastoris and Sue Groves. http://www.thorotonsociety.org.uk/publications/recordseries/1609map.htm
This survey was commissioned for the newly crowned James I, and undertaken by the surveyor Richard Bankes in, or just before 1609.
It consists of a written survey of all the freehold land within the forest, and an accompanying map.
The map for the southern section of Sherwood Forest-
It is the earliest cartographically accurate depiction of the landscape of the forest, and unlike the earlier 'Belvoir map' depicts fields, roads, villages and rivers in a manner familiar to the modern reader.
It also lists all the occupiers of land within the forest boundary (these people will be listed in various entries to come soon).
The map and survey are of huge importance for understanding the landscape and administration of the forest at the end of the medieval period-
The Civil War of 1642-
It would also see vast areas of woodland cut down to fuel the war effort, and due to the collapse of Forest Administration at that time.
The dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century had altered land ownership with many powerful magnates occupying land previously in Monastic hands.
This process would mature in the 17th century, where men like the Earl of Newcastle took over the great royal manor of Mansfield and many of the royal centres in the forest.
He would become both Keeper of Sherwood Forest and Justice in Eyre for the Forests North of the Trent at the same time. As well as the major landholder in the 'High Forest'.
So this map and survey is significant as it gives us a window into the forest as it was before these major changes.
It is also useful as a stepping-
In many other parts of the country 15th and 16th century enclosure of the great open fields altered the landscape-
This was recorded in a survey from the 16th century known as the Domesday of Enclosures for Nottinghamshire.
The Forest Law seems to have lessened the impact of these enclosures on Sherwood Forest than in other areas.
This means that the 1609 survey offers a better view than would be the case for a non-
The 1609 crown survey then, offers a fantastic view of the late Medieval landscape.
It also offers a chance for Landscape Archaeologists and Historians to rebuild the Earlier landscape of Medieval Sherwood Forest.
The creation of the medieval landscape is vital, as it forms the backdrop for any serious study of the medieval Forest-
The maps were redrawn by Peter Burgess, and the survey was edited by Steph Mastoris and Sue Groves in 1998 for the Thoroton Society (see bibliography).
(Andy Gaunt, first published 27/11/2011)
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The Future of Sherwood’s Past
Project page links:
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The Sherwood Forest
National Nature Reserve Archaeology Survey
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Long term Research at
King John’s Palace:
Ancient Royal Heart of Sherwood Forest
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The Sherwood Forest Archaeology Training Fieldschool
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“Scirwuda-
Ghost and Shadow woods of Sherwood Forest Project
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Investigating Thynghowe Viking
Meeting Site
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Searching for the
The Battle of Hatfield
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Fieldswork at St Edwin’s Chapel
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St Mary’s Norton-
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Mapping Medieval Sherwood Forest
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The Sherwood Forest LiDAR
Project
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Warsop Old Hall
Archaeological Project
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The Sherwood Villages Project:
Settlement Development in the Forest
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Researching Edward IIs fortification at Clipstone Peel
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The Cistercians of Rufford Project:
Settlement Development, Dynamics and Desertion.
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Sherwood Forest Environmental Survey
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World War II in Sherwood Forest -
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World War I in Sherwood Forest -
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About Medieval Sherwood Forest
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Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest
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Project page links:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The Sherwood Forest
National Nature Reserve Archaeology Survey
-
Long term Research at
King John’s Palace:
Ancient Royal Heart of Sherwood Forest
-
The Sherwood Forest Archaeology Training Fieldschool
-
“Scirwuda-
Ghost and Shadow woods of Sherwood Forest Project
-
Investigating Thynghowe Viking
Meeting Site
-
Searching for the
The Battle of Hatfield
-
-
Fieldswork at St Edwin’s Chapel
-
St Mary’s Norton-
-
Mapping Medieval Sherwood Forest
-
The Sherwood Forest LiDAR
Project
-
Warsop Old Hall
Archaeological Project
-
The Sherwood Villages Project:
Settlement Development in the Forest
-
-
-
Researching Edward IIs fortification at Clipstone Peel
-
-
-
-
The Cistercians of Rufford Project:
Settlement Development, Dynamics and Desertion.
-
Sherwood Forest Environmental Survey
-
World War II in Sherwood Forest -
-
World War I in Sherwood Forest -
-
About Medieval Sherwood Forest
-
Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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