f repair."

[Illustration: Some of the Wall Paintings on the South Side of the Nave of
Pickering Church.

The upper left-hand corner shows what is apparently the funeral of the
Virgin Mary with the miserable Prince astride the coffin. On the long
strip and on the two spandrels are scenes from the Death and Resurrection
of Our Lord.

The last of seven acts of corporal mercy is shown here.

[Copyright reserved by Dr John L. Kirk.]
]

This is a typical example of the manner of recording these quarrels over
responsibilities and delinquencies in connection with the forest, each
side seeming to deny in detail most of the charges brought forward. Most
of the cases relating to the stealing of oaks and brushwood and to
poaching matters generally are compounded for.

The following is a case of officers of the forest making themselves a
nuisance with the local people. "The jury also present that whereas John
de Monmouth has 20s [? a year], a toft and two oxgangs of land, with the
appurtenances in Pickering, John Scot 30s a year, and William Courtman 5s
at the Earl's expense for being fosterers in the West Ward [of Pickering
Forest], yet they surcharge all the inhabitants with their living and that
of their servants, annoying the country. They are summoned, appear, and
compound.... The jury also present that Richard Cockard of Helmsley, John
de Harlay, and William Gower, forester, of Scalby, Langdale, and Fullwood,
under colour of their office, collect sheaves in autumn and wool and keep
servants on board in the country. They are summoned, appear, and make
composition...." "The jury also present that John de Shirburn drew the
timber of a house in Pickering within the forest of Shirburn without the
forest, and John Beal of West Heslerton drew the timber of a barn in
Pickering within the boundery of the forest to West Heslerton without the
forest, and John de Shirburn and Thomas Bret likewise drew the timber of a
house at Pickering within the boundaries of the forest to Shirburn without
the forest, injuring the Earl and contrary to the assize of the forest.
They are summoned, appear, and each makes composition."

"Henry the Fowler, of Barugh, Adam the Fowler, of Ayton, William Hare and
William Fox, catch birds in the forest by means of birdlime-nets and other
contrivances." The Clergy were frequently involved in the taking of timber
from the forest. "Robert de Hampton, Rector of Middleton, took at
different times three green