FREE LECTURE

This year marks the 800th anniversary of the first issue of the Charter of the Forest.

This charter addressed some of the abuses of Forest Law that had become increasingly common in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, and re-established the rights of free men to have access to the royal forest. From the standpoint of our increasingly urban lives, this may not seem like a major event. But in 1217 much of the country was covered by royal forest, a key source of fuel and food, making this Charter hugely important – Indeed, it was issued as a companion to Magna Carta.

Dr David Crook worked for many years at The National Archives and is a world expert in medieval forests and Forest Law. He is the Chair of the Pipe Roll Society, an academic society dedicated the publication of medieval records.

This event is best suited to an academic audience, although public are welcome to attend.

We run an exciting range of events and exhibitions on a wide variety of topics. For more details, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/whatson.

Entrance to The National Archives is free and there is no need to book, see nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit for more information.