April 1648: Ordinance for Preservation of Timber in the Forest of Deane,

April, 1648

[19 April, 1648.]

The Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, taking into their consideration the great Spoil, Waste, and Destruction of Timber, made of late Years throughout the whole Kingdom, and particularly in the Forest of Deane, are resolved to preserve the same by all good Ways and Means for Time to come; and therefore do hereby restrain and prohibit the Felling of any Timber hereafter, of Oak, Ash, Elm, or Beech, within the said Forest, upon any Pretence whatsoever; and that no Person or Persons whatsoever hereafter presume, on any Pretence whatsoever, to lop or top any of the said Timber Trees within the said Forest, or to do any Waste or Spoil in the same; and such Timber as is already felled, and now there remaining upon the Place, shall be disposed of and employed for the Use of the Navy, or as much thereof as the Officers of the Navy shall find fitting for that Service; and the Residue of the said Timber is to be disposed of by the Committee of the Revenue for the best Advantage, and the Monies thereupon proceeding to be paid unto the Earl of Salisbury, in Part of the Monies owing unto him according to former Ordinances of Parliament in that Behalf.