Changing laws in Norman England: Forest law
I can describe the changes introduced by Forest law and the impact of Forest law on ordinary people.
Changing laws in Norman England: Forest law
I can describe the changes introduced by Forest law and the impact of Forest law on ordinary people.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Forest law was a new set of laws introduced to England by the Normans.
- William and his successors increased the area classed as forest until a third of England was covered by Forest law.
- Punishments for breaking Forest law could be much more severe than punishments in common law.
- Forest law made life much harder for peasants because they were now banned from using resources they depended on.
- Forest law was resented by ordinary people but also by Norman tenants of the king, since it affected their lands too.
Common misconception
That forest in Norman England always meant land covered by trees.
Forest in Norman England meant an area that was reserved for hunting and so could include open land, village land, even towns, as well as woodland.
Keywords
Successor - the person who is king or queen after the previous monarch
Tenant - someone who uses land owned by someone else in return for rent or services
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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