ew of the Centre of the Forest, from the top of 244
Ruardean Hill
Geological Map of the Forest 245
Vertical Section of the Plump Hill, according to Mr 248
White's diagram
Forest of Dean _to face page_ 15
General Map of the Forest of Dean _at the end_

CHAPTER I.
A.D. 1307-1612.

Origin of the name "Dean"?--The "Buck Stone," and other Druidical
remains--"The Scowles," &c., and other ancient iron-mines, worked in the
time of the Romans--Symmond's Yat, and other military
earthworks--Domesday Book, and investment of this Forest in the
Crown--William I., and probable date of Free Miners' Franchise--Castle of
St. Briavel's first built; Giraldus--Flaxley Abbey founded--King John at
Flaxley and St. Briavel's--The constables of St. Briavel's and wardens of
the Forest--Date of the ruins of St. Briavel's Castle--Iron forges
licensed by Henry III.--Perambulation of 1282, and first "Justice
seat"--Seventy-two "itinerant forges" in the Forest--Date of Miners' laws
and privileges--Perambulation of 1302--Edward I., grants in the
Forest--Newland Church founded--Free miners summoned to the sieges of
Berwick, &c.--Edward II., grants in the Forest--Edward III.,
ditto--Richard II., ditto--Henry IV., ditto--Henry V., ditto--Henry VI.,
ditto--Severn barges stopped by Foresters--Edward IV., and retreat hither
of the Earl Rivers and Sir J. Woodville--Edward VI. farmed the Forest to
Sir A. Kingston--Design of the Spaniards to destroy the Forest--Papers
from Sir J. Caesar's collection, viz. Sir J. Winter's negotiations
relative to the iron-works, &c.--Blast furnaces erected.

The district known as "the Forest of Dean" is situated within that part
of Gloucestershire which is bounded by the rivers Severn and Wye. Its
name is of doubtful origin. Was it so called from its proximity to the
town of Mitcheldean, or Dean Magna, mentioned in Domesday Book, and
which, agreeably to its name, is situated in a wooded valley, the word
"Dean," or "Dene," being Saxon, and signifying a dale or den?--or do we
accept the statement of Giraldus, and some other writers, that the Forest
of Dean obtained its name from the Danes sheltering themselves in it,
secured by its shades and thickets from the retaliation of the
neighbouring people, whose country they had devastated?--Or, again, do we
"fancy," with Camden, that "by cutting off a syllable it is derived f