sought
after. The following letter--addressed by Simon de Surtiz to Ralph de
Wareham, Bishop of Chichester, 1217-1223, or Ralph Neville, who held the
see 1223-1245, relative to the purchase of iron, affords an instance of
this fact:--

"I have inspected the letters of his Lordship H. de Kynard, sent to
us by you, and which I transmit to your holiness, signifying that he
has taken amiss your command respecting the iron to be bought,
writing to you that x. marks for the one lot of iron, and c. shilling
for the other lot, ought to do.

"Wherefore since the same H. has not rightly understood your command,
if it pleases you to write to him, you will that he have made for you
x. marks of inferior iron, supposing he is able to do so. But if
otherwise, then that it be v. marks of the heavier and v. marks of
the lighter sort, and that the kind made at Gloucester is what is
wanted.

"If it please you, write also to the Lord Abbot of Gloucester, so
that he work with care for my Lord of Winchester, your guest, that he
be as easy as he can about the iron, and without delay.

* * * * *

"Moreover, my Lord H. de Kynard consults you that the iron may be
wanted at Bristol and not at Gloucester. But if he yield to your
wish I would recommend you that it be brought to Gloucester, as more
easy, and without risk. I await your convenience until you can be
brought to Winchester."

Amongst the Patent Rolls of the 17th of this same reign (1233), is one
entitled "De Forgeis Levand," in Foresta de Dene. And, in 1255, there is
another relating to forges in the same. {17}

The issues in money to the Crown, from the mining and making of iron in
the Forest, were stated by James Treysil, Custos of the Castle and Manor
of St. Briavels, to have amounted to the following sums for the year
commencing 13 Jan., 39 Hen. III. (1255), and ending 16 Nov., 40 Hen. III.
(1256):--

pounds s. d.
22 10 0 from the king's
great forge, placed
out at farm for the
time aforesaid.
8 4 6 from foreign forges
(_forinsecariis_,