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Forestlands
At the end of the Norman era much of the land around Somersham was still covered by forests. During the middle ages this was gradually cleared to provide grazing land. By the time of the Tudors much of it was described as The Chace, open park land for deer. Here we see two charters from 1199 where King John grants forest rights to the Bishop of Ely. Note in particular in the second charter that these rights could extend beyond the boundaries of the forest itself!
Rotulari Chartarum
Anno 1 Johannus (1199)
John by the grace of God. Know that of our divine service, our respect of piety and for the salvation of our soul and those of our ancestors we have given a concession and in presenting this charter have confirmed our alms in perpetuity to the church of the Blessed Virgin Egtheldreda of Ely and to Eustace, Bishop of the same place and his successors, immunity from forest clearing amounting to 186 ˝ acres of land in Hadestoke and of 226 ˝ acres of land in Littleborough and 82 acres and one rood in the soke of Somersham.
To grant and confirm the fact that the wood of Somersham shall be wholly and entirely free of wasteland, and a levy on the inspection of the woods, essarts, pleas, fines and tributes shall belong to the forester of the aforesaid bishop and his successors and he shall do all that he pleases in his woods but he shall forbid neither the aforesaid demands nor make any new demands himself.
To grant and confirm to the same bishop and his successors to hunt freely, peacefully throughout the whole of the forest of Somersham, just as far as the great road from Huntingdon to Ramsey and the towns of Ripton in between, without any hindrance or injury.
Just as this scroll confirms the fact that the aforesaid church and the aforesaid bishop and all his successors shall have and hold the aforesaid rights and immunities in the aforesaid places, well and in peace, freely, peaceably, completely and honourably.
Witnessed S Bishop of Bath, M Bishop elect of Worcester, John de Alencum, then Vivian Archdeacon of
Dated by my hand H, Archbishop of Canterbury and our chancellor, near Rotheram.
In the 23rd day of August of the first year of our reign.
Rotulari Chartarum
Anno 1 Johannus (1199)
John by the grace of God. Know that we have granted and in presenting this charter have confirmed to our Eustace, Bishop of Ely to have hunting rights in his much loved forest of Somersham and let it be lawful that if he is in pursuit of anything that shall flee from the forest, he may follow it elsewhere up to the point that it is captured.
Witnessed S Bishop of Bath, M Bishop elect of Worcester, John de Alencum, then Vivian Archdeacon of
Dated by my hand H, Archbishop of Canterbury and our chancellor, near Rotheram.
In the 23rd day of August of the first year of our reign.
The Charter rolls are held in transcription at the Public Record Office in Kew (Translation from the Latin © Andy Lee)
Bentham in his history of Ely Cathedral also noted the fondness of the Bishops for their forest of Somersham:
Being in favour with the king he obtained certain privileges to himself and successors, particularly of hunting in the forest of Somersham. But upon the death of Richard he was displaced from the office of chancellor and Hubert Archbishop of