In 1640, King Charles I  sold the Forest of Dean to Sir John

Winter in return for an annual sum.  Three years later,  the

inhabitants revolted by throwing down  fences erected to

exclude them.  During the Civil War,  Sir John fled to

France.

After restoration of the Monarchy,  the new King

(Charles II)  re-affirmed  Sir John's  hold (patent) on the

Forest.  Whereupon the latter resumed wholesale fellings

thus decimating the Forest.    Out of over 30,000 trees,

only 200 remained.  Sir John had 500 wood cutters at

work.   He needed charcoal for his blast furnaces and

money from timber sales. 

The Foresters complained to the House of

Commons.   An Act of King Charles II  was passed, 

providing for new regulations to regenerate the Forest by

plantations.  Eventually, Sir John's patent was allowed to

expire.

My comment is that the inhabitants of the day saved

the Forest.  Today, in the year 2010,  it is the sacred duty

of their descendents to do the same.  

The sale of the Forest to private companies will

create just as much a danger, if not more, to the loss  of

the heritage and birthright of the inhabitants.   Now is the

time for all good men and women to speak out against 

this stupid plan by a Government that does not have a

popular mandate.

– John H Morgan, MA Forestry.