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I just finished reading Edward Rutherford’s The Forest, all about the New Forest, a very special place on the south coast of England.

Check it out on Amazon (his books are just wonderful)

Transcript of Episode 186: The New Forest

Hello and welcome to the Renaissance English History Podcast, a part of the Agora Podcast Network. I’m your host, Heather Teysko, and I’m a storyteller who makes history accessible because I believe it’s a pathway to understanding who we are, our place in the universe, and being more deeply in touch with our own humanity. This episode is all about the New Forest. So one author I love is Edward Rutherford – he writes these sweeping epic novels set in different places – I first read his book London: The Novel maybe 8 or 9 years ago, followed by Sarum. And I kind of need to ration it because I love him so much. So I just finished his book on the history of the New Forest – I’ll add a link in the show notes – and it made me want to dig deeper into the New Forest history, and specifically the history during the Tudor and Elizabethan period.

Before we get started, though, your reminder about Tudorcon! So I’m hosting a Happy Hour open Q&A session about Tudorcon on Friday, Feb 24, at 3pm US Eastern time. Hop on Zoom and ask me any questions you have – no matter how big or small – about Tudorcon. Check the show notes to get the registration link – or, if we’re past Feb 24 – I’ll post the recording in the show notes too.

So – let’s shift gears into the New Forest now. 

The New Forest is an area of natural beauty located in the southern part of England. The forest covers an area of approximately 220 square miles, and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The history of the New Forest is a long and varied one, with evidence of human activity in the area dating back to the Bronze Age. It became a royal hunting area, and today is a national park, but, it’s also the setting of some exciting events during the 16th century. 

The New Forest was an important area during the Roman period, with a number of Roman settlements and forts located in the area. The Romans recognized the strategic importance of the New Forest, and established a number of military forts and settlements in the area. One of the most important Roman sites in the New Forest is the villa at Rockbourne, which was a large and luxurious residence with a heated bathhouse, mosaic floors, and underfloor heating. You can still go visit the area today and see the outline of the home.

The medieval period saw the development of the New Forest as a royal hunting ground. The forest was declared a royal hunting ground by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, and it remained a popular hunting ground for the royal family for many centuries. The forest was also home to a number of villages and settlements, which were established to support the needs of the royal court.

During the medieval period, the forest was managed by a system of laws known as the Forest Laws. These laws regulated hunting and other activities in the forest, and were enforced by a network of officials known as forest keepers. The Forest Laws were harsh and punitive, and led to many conflicts between the local population and the authorities.

One of the biggest History’s Mystery happened in the New Forest during the medieval period: the death of William Rufus. William Rufus was crowned King of England in 1087, following the death of his father, William the Conqueror. He was famous for an unsuccessful invasion of Normandy, and high taxes. Not very popular. 

On August 2nd, 1100, William Rufus was hunting in the New Forest, accompanied by a group of nobles and knights. According to historical accounts, William Rufus was riding ahead of his party when he was struck by an arrow and killed instantly.

The identity of the person who fired the arrow remains unknown, and the circumstances of William Rufus’s death have been the subject of much speculation and controversy. Some have suggested that his death was an accident, while others have claimed that it was a deliberate act of murder.

One theory suggests that William Rufus was killed by Walter Tirel, a nobleman who was part of the hunting party. Tirel was known to have a strained relationship with William Rufus, and he was one of the few people who had a clear shot at the king when he was killed. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory, and Tirel himself denied any involvement in the king’s death.

Another theory suggests that William Rufus’s death was the result of divine intervention. According to this theory, William Rufus was a tyrant and a sinner, and his death was a punishment from God. This view was popular among some religious groups at the time, and it may have been used to justify the king’s death.

Either way, his death marked the end of the Norman dynasty and paved the way for a new era of English history. His younger brother Henry seized the throne, despite the fact that he was not the designated heir. Henry’s accession to the throne was supported by many English nobles, who saw him as a more suitable and just ruler than his brother.

One of the most famous buildings in the Forest was Beaulieu Abbey, founded in 1204 by King John, who donated land in the New Forest to a group of Cistercian monks. The Cistercians were a religious order that followed a strict code of poverty, simplicity, and manual labor. 

The abbey was built in a picturesque location, surrounded by lush forests and meadows. The monks built a church, cloister, dormitory, and other buildings, which were all designed in the simple, austere style favored by the Cistercians. The abbey was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and it quickly became an important center of religious life in the region.

The abbey was a major landowner, with vast estates and properties throughout southern England. The monks were skilled in agriculture and industry, and they established several important industries, including a wool trade and a salt works. These industries provided employment for local people and contributed to the economic growth of the region.

Beaulieu Abbey was also an important center of learning and culture. The monks were skilled in medicine, astronomy, and other sciences, and they maintained a library that was one of the largest in England. The abbey was also a popular destination for pilgrims, who came to pray at the shrine of the Virgin Mary and seek the spiritual guidance of the monks.

Jumping ahead 400 years to our time period, Henry VIII was a frequent visitor to the New Forest during his reign, and he was known for his love of hunting and falconry. The forest continued to be an important royal hunting ground during Henry’s reign, and he undertook a number of measures to ensure its preservation and protection.

One of the most significant events in the history of the New Forest during Henry VIII’s reign was the creation of the New Park. This was a large area of land that was enclosed by a fence or pale, and it was established to serve as a royal hunting ground for the king and his court. The New Park was located in the northern part of the New Forest, and it was home to a wide range of game, including deer, wild boar, and other species.

Henry VIII was also known for his love of timber, and he undertook a number of measures to ensure a steady supply of wood for building and fuel. He established a system of coppicing in the forest, which involved cutting down trees to encourage new growth. He also encouraged the planting of new trees, and he established a number of plantations in the forest.

In addition to his efforts to protect and preserve the forest, Henry VIII was also responsible for the development of a number of industries in the area. He encouraged the establishment of ironworks and glassworks in the forest, and he also established a number of sawmills and timber yards.

Henry, of course, dissolved Beaulieu Abbey in 1538, along with many other monasteries in England. The monks were forced to leave the abbey, and the property was seized by the Crown. Much of the property was sold to local landowners, who used it for their own purposes.

The abbey itself was largely destroyed, with many of the buildings and artworks being dismantled or sold. The church, however, was saved from destruction, and it remains one of the most impressive examples of medieval architecture in England. The ruins of the abbey are now a popular tourist destination.

During his son Edward VI’s reign, the New Forest continued to be an important area for hunting and timber production. However, the forest also faced a number of challenges, including poaching and encroachment by local farmers and commoners. Edward VI was aware of these challenges, and he sought to address them through a series of measures.

One of the most significant measures that Edward VI introduced in the New Forest was the establishment of a new system of management. This system involved the appointment of a number of officials, known as verderers, who were responsible for the day-to-day management of the forest. The verderers were responsible for regulating hunting and other activities in the forest, and they were also responsible for the maintenance of the forest’s boundaries.

Edward VI was also responsible for the creation of a number of new parks and enclosures in the New Forest. These parks and enclosures were designed to serve as areas for hunting and recreation for the royal court. The most significant of these parks was the White Hart Chase, which was established in the northern part of the forest and was home to a wide range of game, including deer and wild boar.

Edward VI was also concerned with the conservation of the forest’s natural resources, including its timber. He introduced a number of measures to ensure that the forest’s timber was harvested sustainably, including the establishment of a system of coppicing and the planting of new trees.

During Elizabeth’s time, smuggling rose in importance thanks to new tariffs and potential wars with Catholic countries, and the New Forest was a major hub of smuggling. The forest’s long coastline and proximity to the continent made it an ideal location for smugglers to bring contraband into England. The smugglers would use small boats to land goods on the beaches of the New Forest, and then transport them inland for sale.

One of the most common goods smuggled into the New Forest was wine. French wine was highly prized in England, but it was subject to high import taxes. Smugglers would bring wine ashore at night and then transport it inland by horse and cart. Other goods smuggled into the New Forest were brandy, tobacco, and silk.

Smuggling was a risky business, and smugglers in the New Forest had to be careful to avoid the attention of the authorities. Smugglers would often work in groups, and they would have a network of lookouts along the coast to warn them of approaching patrols. Smugglers would also use hidden caves and tunnels along the coast to hide their contraband.

Smuggling was illegal, and the authorities in England were determined to put a stop to the trade. The government introduced a number of measures to combat smuggling, including the establishment of a coast guard and the imposition of harsh penalties on those caught smuggling.

The Bucklers: The Buckler family were a well-known family of smugglers in the New Forest, and they were particularly active in the smuggling of wine. In 1583, several members of the family were arrested for their involvement in a large-scale wine smuggling operation. They were accused of using the forest as a hiding place for their contraband, and of bribing local officials to turn a blind eye to their activities.

The Carters: The Carter family were another prominent family of smugglers in the New Forest, and they were known for their involvement in the smuggling of wine and other goods. In 1588, several members of the family were arrested for their role in a large-scale wine smuggling operation. They were accused of using the forest as a hiding place for their contraband, and of using violence and intimidation to protect their activities.

The Quicks: The Quick family were a group of smugglers who were active in the New Forest during the late 16th century. They were known for their involvement in the smuggling of wine and other goods, and they were accused of using the forest as a hiding place for their contraband. In 1593, several members of the family were arrested for their role in a wine smuggling operation, and they were sentenced to death.

The Jolliffe brothers: The Jolliffe brothers were a group of smugglers who were active in the New Forest during the late 16th century. They were known for their involvement in the smuggling of wine, and they were accused of using the forest as a hiding place for their contraband. In 1596, several members of the family were arrested for their role in a large-scale wine smuggling operation. They were sentenced to death, but their sentences were later commuted to transportation to the colonies.

Despite these measures, smuggling continued to be a problem in the New Forest and other parts of England. The trade was simply too profitable for smugglers to give up, and the risks of being caught were outweighed by the potential rewards.

The legacy of smuggling in the New Forest during the Elizabethan period is still visible today. The forest’s long coastline and hidden coves and tunnels are a reminder of the area’s illicit past. Smuggling also had an impact on the local economy, as many people in the area were involved in the trade or benefited from it in some way.

The New Forest also had a significant Catholic population during the Tudor period. Many families had remained loyal to the Catholic Church despite the religious changes that had taken place in England, and they continued to attend secret Catholic services in their homes or in the forest.

The New Forest provided a haven for Catholics who were practicing their faith in secret. The forest was a vast and remote area, with many hidden paths and secluded clearings that were ideal for secret meetings and ceremonies.

The forest was also home to many sympathetic families who were willing to offer shelter and support to Catholic priests and their followers. These families were often related by blood or marriage, and they formed a tight-knit network that helped to sustain the Catholic resistance in the New Forest.

The Throckmorton family: The Throckmortons were a prominent Catholic family in the New Forest, and they were closely associated with many of the leading figures in the Catholic resistance. The family was particularly well-known for their support of Catholic priests, and they were known to provide shelter and support to priests who were on the run from the authorities. In 1583, two members of the family, Francis and Thomas Throckmorton, were arrested for their role in the Babington Plot, a Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Elizabeth I.

The Vavasour family: The Vavasour family were another prominent Catholic family in the New Forest, and they were known for their support of Catholic priests and their resistance to the religious changes that were taking place in England. Several members of the family were arrested and imprisoned for their role in the Catholic resistance, including Francis Vavasour, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London for several years.

Father Robert Parsons: Father Parsons was a Jesuit priest who played a significant role in the Catholic resistance in the New Forest. He was known for his ability to move through the forest undetected, and he provided spiritual guidance and support to many of the Catholic families in the region. In 1580, he was captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he remained for several years.

The Tichborne family: The Tichborne family were another prominent Catholic family in the New Forest, and they were known for their support of Catholic priests and their resistance to the religious changes that were taking place in England. Several members of the family were arrested and imprisoned for their role in the Catholic resistance, including John Tichborne, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London for several years.

All of this made the government suspicious of many in the Forest during the rise in tensions with Spain – which leads us to the armada. 

The New Forest played an important role in the defense against the Spanish Armada. The forest was located on the south coast of England, which made it a key strategic location for the defense of the country. The forest’s long coastline and strategic position made it an ideal location for the placement of coastal defenses.

One of the most important coastal defenses in the New Forest during the Spanish Armada was Hurst Castle. This castle was built in the 16th century to defend against the threat of invasion, and it played a key role in the defense against the Spanish Armada. The castle was heavily armed with cannons and other artillery, and it was manned by a garrison of soldiers.

In addition to Hurst Castle, the New Forest was also home to a number of militia units. These units were made up of local men who had been trained in the use of weapons and were prepared to defend their homes and country in the event of an invasion.

The Spanish Armada had a significant impact on the New Forest and the surrounding area. The arrival of the Spanish fleet caused widespread panic and fear, and many people fled the area in search of safety. The forest was also heavily militarized, with soldiers and weapons being brought into the area to defend against the Spanish threat.

Hurst Castle, which played an important role in the defense against the Spanish Armada, remains a significant historical site and tourist attraction. The forest’s long coastline and strategic position also continue to make it an important site for the defense of the country.

For now, we’re going to stop it here. Hop in to the Tudor Learning Circle (TudorLearningCircle.com) to discuss this and other things Tudor. 

And remember to learn more and RSVP to the info session on February 24 at 1pm for Tudorcon at englandcast.com/Tudorcon.