Planning Enquiry (1291)

In 1291, in the reign of Edward I, Henry fitzAucher desired to increase the area of his "Copthall" deer park.¹⁶ The park lay within the bounds of the Forest of Waltham and therefore was subject to the Laws of the Forest. Any extension to the park would have influenced the value of the king's hunting assets within the Forest. Under the Forest Laws, Henry's request would have needed to be taken seriously. Accordingly, a planning enquiry was convened in Ongar.

"The inquiry made at Ongar on the Monday on the morrow of Martinmas¹⁷ in the nineteenth year of the reign of king Edward". The inquiry was to consider "whether it is to the damage of the lord king or harm of his forest of Essex if he concedes to his beloved subject Henry fitzAucher that he may enclose his close adjacent to his park of Copthall, which is within the bounds of the said forest, for the enlargement of his said park".

The following officials of the Forest of Essex were summoned to consider the request of Henry fitzAucher.

Simon of Ellsworth
lieutenant of the justice of the Forest south of the Trent

John of Butterley
steward of the forest for the whole county of Essex

Warin of Abridge
riding forester in the hundred of Ongar

John Wyger
Adam of Aldgate
walking foresters

Walter Ryther
Roger of Bassingbourn
foresters of the hundred of Harlow

Walter of Halifeld
John Dew
Edmund of Nastock
William Male,
John atte Down
Ralph de Merk
verderers of the regard of Ongar

John atte Church
John Lord
Saer of Theydon
Thomas of Rankeditch
William Pikerel
Richard atte More
John Pedelevere
John Asceline
Richard de Mucegros
Hugh Clerk
Michael de la Strate
Nicholas Oliver
regarders of the same regard

John of Calne
Walter de Mortivaus
Richard son of Philip
Laurence Randwy
William of Roding
Richard Spenser
William of Weald
Richard Warin
Richard Freeland
Eustace of Mashbury
Gilbert atteHigge
Gilbert of Theydon
twelve free and lawful men of the said hundred

Simon Ellsworth would have represented Robert l'Estrange, a knight of some standing with the precise geographical title of Chief Justice of the Forest South of the Trent. (And yes, there was also one for North of the Trent). John of Butterley was the steward or warden with custody of the Royal Forest of Essex at that time. The foresters were required to maintain the Forest Law, often a dangerous task when confronted by a gang of deer poachers. The responsibility of the verderers was to preserve the cover and sustenance for the deer. The regarders were a body of twelve knights who sought to ensure that the boundary of the Forest was fixed and not encroached upon.

The meeting concluded that the increase in the size of the park was fifteen acres. This was equated with a loss of pasture to the king and the value of that pasture was assessed at twelve pence annually. The licence was eventually granted but not until 4 June 1293.

A total of thirty-seven individuals were named for the meeting. Since it was not the custom to absent oneself from the proceedings, the meeting would have been considered bureaucratic and wasteful of the time of those individuals. However, the size of the meeting emphasises the care taken and the importance of the resolution of the enquiry.