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Sherwood Forest was not simply an area of woodland. People lived in the forest, and it contained:
However, areas high in woodland and heath were favoured locations for royal forests...
People lived in Sherwood Forest- it was not just a big area of woodland!
The whole town of Nottingham- its fields and meadows; the large royal manor of Mansfield and its outlying Berewicks; and many villages lay within the bounds of Sherwood Forest.
Nottingham was within the bounds of Sherwood Forest but seems to have been exempt from the forest laws through the medieval period.
Sherwood Forest was a vast area which from the 13th century stretched from the River Trent in the south to the River Meden in the north and from the Doverbeck in the east to the River Leen in the west (see the boundaries page).
The Forest was a mixed landscape of villages and towns, as well as woodland and heathland.
It is noticeable that Sherwood forest was more wooded and had larger areas of heathland in the northern section. This area was known as the 'High Forest'. This area seems to have been more remote and would have been the ideal hideout for outlaws and villains!
The area to the south and east was more heavily inhabitted and had more villages and fields and domestic occupation. There were however extensive areas of woodland and heathland in the southern area including 'Bestwood Park'- a royal deer park, 'Basford Waste' and 'Arnold Common' and also the woodland occupying the high ground of Mapperley tops stretching continuosly from Nottingham to Calverton. This southern section of Sherwood Forest was known as 'Thorneywood Chase'.
A third area known as 'Rumwood' was included in the laws of the forest although it was north of the forest boundary. This is the area around Clumber park.
Ancient Heath Land in Sherwood Forest
Ancient Heath Land in Sherwood Forest
The Major Oak , 1000 year old veteran oak tree and legendary hide away of Robin Hood
The Future of Sherwood’s Past
Community Archaeology Nottinghamshire, Community Archaeology Derbyshire, Community Archaeology Leicestershire, Community Archaeology East Midlands, Mercian Archaeological Services Community Archaeology for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Sherwood Forest, Leicestershire and the East Midlands. Community Archaeology Nottinghamshire, Community Archaeology East Midlands, Community Archaeology Leicestershire. Archaeological
The Sherwood Forest Archaeology Project
Award Winners 2016
for "Engaging people in the heritage, history & archaeology of Sherwood Forest".
Some funders and partners:
World-wide Robin Hood Society
