_i.e._, beyond the
limits of the
Forest, for the
same period).
4 9 3 from forges within
the Forest.
23 1 4 from the great and
little mines.
58 5 1

The king's "great forge," mentioned above, yielded, in after years, 26
pounds 19s. 3d. to the Custos, but was ere long suppressed, as
detrimental to the Forest woods. Its being named here suggests a
solution of the term "levantis," or small, generally given to the other
forges of the district. They were urged, probably, with such bellows as
may be seen carved on an ancient tombstone in Newland Churchyard.

In the year 1841, when that part of the old road leading up to the
Hawthorns from Hownal was altered, near the brook, below Rudge Farm, the
hearths of five small forges, cut out of the sandstone rock, and
curiously pitched round the bottom with small pebbles, were laid open.
An iron tube, seven or eight inches long, and one inch and a half bore,
apparently the nozzle of a pair of bellows, was also found; as well as
scores of old tobacco-pipes, as they seemed, bits of iron, much rusted,
and broken earthenware, besides a piece of silver coin. Unfortunately,
none of these articles were preserved, or they might have thrown some
light on the subject.

The Fabric Rolls of Westminster Abbey, under date 37 Hen. III. (1253),
contain the ensuing items:--

s. d.
To Henry de Pont, for 14 0
iron bolts
To Richard de Celir, 21 0
for four hundred iron
clamps from
Gloucester (4 lbs.)
For carriage of the 3 4
same iron
Also--
To Richard de Celir, 16 0
for rods of iron from
Gloucester (10 lbs.)
For carriage of the 6 8
same

Thus widely spread was the good fame of the Forest metal.

By an Inquisition of the 52 Hen. III. (1268), to ascertain what
privileges the abbot and convent of Tynterne were accustomed to have in
the Forest, the jurors returned that--"the said abbot and convent, by
charters of the King's predecessors, are accustomed to have min