Forest laws entered English law under William I (reigned AD 1066-87). He protected the ‘beasts of the field’ that he liked to hunt best: red, roe and fallow deer and wild boar. He also established ‘chases’ (game reserves), where he and his nobles could hunt, and ‘warrens’ where other animals (rabbits, pheasants) could be hunted. By the reign of Henry II (1154-89) about thirty percent of the country was reserved for the sport of kings.

Henry II codified the law at the Assize of the Forest at Woodstock in 1184. The clergy were made subject to the law, and Henry urged his foresters ‘not to hesitate’ to arrest them. A royal court called the forest eyre moved through the country judging those accused of breaking the law. Penalties were severe, particularly for anyone who killed animals reserved for the king. Fines were more often levied, especially in later years, because these brought in revenue for the crown.

The laws were bitterly resented and became a political issue in the reign of John (1199-1215). The Charter of the Forest in 1217 tried to remedy some of the abuses – extortionate fines and aggressive behaviour by the foresters – and it remained the basis of forest law through the 13th and 14th centuries.