A HISTORY OF DERBYSHIRE (camera victitum) and the chapel at Belper; 1 and those of 1377-8 exceptionally full details as to deer-browse, and park pales. 2 During the same period woodmote rolls record the various penalties and attachments for venison and herb trespass. 3 The registers of John duke of Lancaster covering the close of the reign of Edward III. and the beginning of that of Richard II., contain various references to Duffield Frith.* We know that John of Gaunt sojourned at the great lodge or manor house in Ravens- dale park during August, 1372, and August, 1374, because of his dating official papers from that residence, and he was probably there on various other occasions. In June, 1372, the duke issued instructions to John de Bradshaw, chief forester of Duffield Frith, to supply Thomas de Wombwell with two ' roers ' (robora) for the repair of houses out of Shottle park. In the winter of the same year the chief forester was ordered to supply Wombwell with a doe, and Godfrey Foljambe with two does out of the forest. In August, 1372, when the duke was at Ravensdale, he pardoned Thomas de Rykstok of a venison trespass in this forest, and at the same time ordered six oaks fit for timber to be delivered to Edward Fauconer. On 14 November he instructed John de Bradshaw to deliver to his tenants two oaks for the repair of the bridge over the Derwent. On 10 February, 1373, the duke wrote to the steward and keeper of the forest desiring that care should be taken to prevent trees that had been blown down being abstracted by strangers without payment. Three months later the duke authorized John de Bradshaw to have all the small wood blown down in Postern park. In September, 1374, Robert de Swythyngton was appointed chief forester in the place of John de Bradshaw. The chief forester received the duke's orders, on 19 May, 1381, to assign six oaks for timber to the Friars Minor of Nottingham. There are various records of woodmotes extant in the time of Richard II. The most interesting are those of 1387, 1395, and 1402.6 The ministers' accounts of Duffield and Duffield Forest for 1398 contain an entry of some interest. Under the head of honey and wax (from wild bees) in Duffield ward there is no return, because, says the scribe, they pertain to the chapel of the chantry within the manor of Belper. There are several entries for this year in connexion with Postern, such as the making of a new gate to the park to be called Cowhouse gate, whilst 400 laths, 1,000 lath nails, 100 spikes, shingles, etc., were supplied for the lodge. 6 The accounts for 1401, when John de Abryggecourt was master forester and Henry del Strete was reeve of Belper, continue the mention of a small boat that was kept at Hopping Mill, apparently for ferrying purposes.? John Atte Barre was the collector for Duffield ward ; his receipts therefrom were 13*. 6d. for 108 hens, 31. for pannage, 8j. for Derwent fishery, and I2d. for Ecclesbourne fishery, 16 lOs. for agistment and pannage of Postern park, 7*. I2d. from woodmote perquisities, giving a total of 18 3*. 8 When Henry duke of Lancaster, the son of John of Gaunt, came to the throne in 1399, Duffield Forest and the rest of the Duchy merged in the crown. In September, 1405, the king (Henry IV.) ordered the chief forester to supply twelve timber oaks towards the repair of Duffield church.9 Henry V. almost immediately on his coming to the throne in 1413, made a complete change in the personnel of the chief officials of this forest. Sir Philip Leche was appointed master forester, and fresh appointments were also made to the keeperships of all the parks, as well as deputy foresters. Among the Harley MSS. of the British Museum are two transcripts of the custumary of the Honor of Tutbury, including Duffield Frith and the High Peak, with elaborate accounts of the duties and authorities of the different officers. This custumary, which dates from the end of Henry V. or beginning of Henry VI., is chiefly concerned with Tutbury and Needwood Forest. The portions that specially relate to Duffield Frith or forest have 1 Mins. Accts. Duchy of Lane. 6125. s Ibid. 6139. 3 See Court Rolls, Duchy of Lane. -,Y 9 , srr etc -
- Duchy of Lane. Misc. Bks. vols. xiii. and xiv.
6 Duchy of Lane. Court Rolls, T V,, AV, t'n- 6 Mins. Accts. Duchy of Lane. 368-6152. 7 This boat, styled variously badell, batell, and battell, occurs several times in the reigns of Edward III. and Richard II. 8 Mins. Accts. Duchy of Lane. 368-6155. 9 Misc. Bks. Duchy of Lane. vol. xv. fol. 7ob. 416
