limited to effect more than the
separation of a portion of the metal, but which the improved methods, now
introduced into the district, turned to a good account. A return made in
1617, by Sir William Coke, &c., to a commission issued out of the
Exchequer, to inquire concerning the Forest of Dean, states that "His
Majesty, since the erecting the iron-works, had received a greater
revenue than formerly." Their structure is described in "The Booke of
Survey of the Forest of Dean Ironwork," dated 1635, from which it appears
that the stone body of the furnace now adopted was usually about
twenty-two feet square, the blast being kept up by a water-wheel not less
than twenty-two feet in diameter, acting upon two pairs of bellows
measuring eighteen feet by four, and kept in blast for several months
together. Such structures existed at Cannope, Park End, Sowdley, and
Lydbrook. Besides which, there were forges, comprising chafferies and
fineries, at Park End, Whitecroft, Bradley, Sowdley, and Lydbrook.
Messrs. Harris and Chaloner, &c., as farmers to the Crown, held all of
them on lease.

The last justice seat in Eyre, or Supreme Court of Judicature for the
royal forests, was held the same year as the above (1635) at Gloucester
Castle before Henry Earl of Holland, on which occasion "the matter
concerning the perambulation of this Forest was solemnly debated," the
counsel for the Crown producing the bounds thereof as settled by the 12th
of Henry III. and 10th Edward I., with the view of obtaining its
re-extension to Gloucester, Monmouth, and Chepstow. On the other hand,
the counsel for the City of Gloucester, &c., brought forward the
perambulations made 26th and 28th Edward I., confirmed by Letters Patent
29th Edward I., and by an Act of 10th Edward III. The Grand Jury, not
being able to agree to their verdict on that day, which was a Saturday,
desired further time in a matter of such weight; and on the Monday
following decided, that the more extensive limits, comprising seventeen
additional villages, were the true ones. But "their inhabitants being
fearful that they would be questioned for many things done contrary to
the Forest Laws, the King's Counsel, in regard of their being but new
brought in, and long usage, thought it not fitt to proceed with any of
them at that justice seat." Amongst some 120 claims to rights and
privileges of various kinds preserved in the Office of Public Records,
{27} and put in at the same Cou