Dean Forestof

Dean, Forest of, is a hilly region of 31 square miles in West Gloucestershire, between the Severn and the Wye. An ancient royal forest, it was almost disforested by Charles I., to be again made forest after the Restoration. It is for the most part Crown land, and half of it is set apart for the growth of timber for the navy. It is divided into six walks, and is under the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, with a staff of officers, among whom are the verderers, now needless, as there are no deer, it being found, perhaps, that deer and miners would not flourish together. For the free miners of the Forest of Dean are a noted body, with many privileges, subject to certain rights of the Crown, which are in some cases commuted for a royalty. The miners are supervised by a "gaveller." Besides coal, the forest produces iron, and there are quarries of building-stone and of stone fitted for grindstones, rollers, and troughs.