Monument record 1574 - Macclesfield Forest

The Royal Forest of Macclesfield comprised a 3rd of the Hundred of Macclesfield, originally belonging to the Earl of Chester and then to the Crown from 1237. Since the time of Edward II, a Swainmore court was held regularly at Macclesfield to administer forest laws and elect officers. The Chief Officers of the Forest were a Master Forester and 8 sub-foresters. The Master Forestership was conferred c.1166 by the Earl of Chester upon Richard de Davenport, in whose family it remained. But this office was gradually superseded by that of the King's Steward, who was appointed at the King's pleasure. For some time this office was held by the Stanleys. The 8 sub- foresters held their offices by grants from the Earls of Chester. They held lands in exchange for their duties as foresters. These offices were hereditary and were sometimes sold. The foresters enjoyed privileges within the forest and were bound to follow the Earl to war (1). The Coombes in the Forest were used to drive game in and fences were provided to guard them. The forest was open moorland and mostly devoid of trees. It gradually contracted as areas were granted and enclosed. c.1642 deer were kept for the king, but after the Restoration, it was enclosed rapidly. Probably the last area to go was the township of Macclesfield Forest, which contained the old Chamber, Forest Chapel and the Coombes (2). The best analysis of the history of the forest is in the VCH, Vol.II. This gives its boundaries, the full range of its uses, and details its foundation and erosion (4). Frequent references occur in the Black Prince's Register (5). An economic analysis can be found in (6).

<1> Earwaker, J P, 1877-1880, East Cheshire Past & Present, 2/1880/5-7 (Y) (Book). SCH1080.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 20/10-18 Hamson W 1902 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<3> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 3/538-541 (Book). SCH1389.

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 2/178-84 Harris B 1979 (Book). SCH3556.

<5> Public Record Office, 1930-33, The Register of Edward the Black Prince, 1-3 (Book). SCH3058.

<6> Booth P H W, Chetham Society (Oral Communication). SCH952.