NEW FOREST
Sept. 9, 2019
It was a rainy day today, so decided to spend it driving through and learning all I could about the area called New Forest.
New Forest was established back around 1068 as land taken by William the Conqueror as his personal hunting ground to hunt mostly deer. As part of his taking of this land, William ousted the current 30+ farmers displacing them, causing them to be homeless. It has been said that William suffered Divine retribution by loosing 2 of this sons and one grandson in hunting accidents.
The New Forest is an area of heavily wooded 260 square miles where some 700 commoners live within the many towns that make up this unusual but lovely forest. Within the Forest there lives approximately 5700 animals each owned by a commoner (farmer). Each commoner owns livestock that they are allowed to turn out to graze and live peaceably in the forest after being 'marked' and after paying a small fee for this privledge. The animals are turned out to graze and sustain the fragile eco system created within the forest which would otherwise go to shambles if left without the careful 'trimming' that the animals execute. Each Autumn some pigs are turned out to eat the many acorns and chestnuts that have fallen as food for themselves and to also eliminate the possibility of the horses and ponies from eating acorns which deem poisonous if too many are consumed.
Some of the animals are collected each Winter for safe keeping in their owners barns and returned each Spring to the Forest. There are many rules for the commoners to follow so as to keep the Forest running smoothly. One example is the release of some stallions for mating purposes each Spring. The stallions are chosen carefully so as to not create an inbreeding problem. Each animal is cared for and vetted annually. Donkeys are mostly left out all Winter as they are hardy enough to sustain the possible harsh Winters. Sheep are not released into the wild in the Forest but are kept within the confines of the farmers land.
I could go on and on about all I've learned about the New Forest being such a lovely and interesting area to drive through and the history attached. So much so, I will be returning today to the Forest to visit different areas I did not see yesterday.
Despite the slight misting all day, I had a pleasurable visit to an almost magical place.
Tomorrow: on to Tintagil
It was a rainy day today, so decided to spend it driving through and learning all I could about the area called New Forest.
New Forest was established back around 1068 as land taken by William the Conqueror as his personal hunting ground to hunt mostly deer. As part of his taking of this land, William ousted the current 30+ farmers displacing them, causing them to be homeless. It has been said that William suffered Divine retribution by loosing 2 of this sons and one grandson in hunting accidents.
The New Forest is an area of heavily wooded 260 square miles where some 700 commoners live within the many towns that make up this unusual but lovely forest. Within the Forest there lives approximately 5700 animals each owned by a commoner (farmer). Each commoner owns livestock that they are allowed to turn out to graze and live peaceably in the forest after being 'marked' and after paying a small fee for this privledge. The animals are turned out to graze and sustain the fragile eco system created within the forest which would otherwise go to shambles if left without the careful 'trimming' that the animals execute. Each Autumn some pigs are turned out to eat the many acorns and chestnuts that have fallen as food for themselves and to also eliminate the possibility of the horses and ponies from eating acorns which deem poisonous if too many are consumed.
Some of the animals are collected each Winter for safe keeping in their owners barns and returned each Spring to the Forest. There are many rules for the commoners to follow so as to keep the Forest running smoothly. One example is the release of some stallions for mating purposes each Spring. The stallions are chosen carefully so as to not create an inbreeding problem. Each animal is cared for and vetted annually. Donkeys are mostly left out all Winter as they are hardy enough to sustain the possible harsh Winters. Sheep are not released into the wild in the Forest but are kept within the confines of the farmers land.
I could go on and on about all I've learned about the New Forest being such a lovely and interesting area to drive through and the history attached. So much so, I will be returning today to the Forest to visit different areas I did not see yesterday.
Despite the slight misting all day, I had a pleasurable visit to an almost magical place.
Tomorrow: on to Tintagil
When you go to Tintagel go to Merlins Cave and get me a rock, Please!
ReplyDeleteSounds so interesting and so much to see and learn. Quite the adventure!
ReplyDeleteMerlin?? He is one of my Teachers.
ReplyDelete