Verderer facts for kids
Verderers are special officials in England who help manage and protect certain old royal forests. These forests are owned by the King or Queen. The job of a Verderer started a long time ago, in the Middle Ages. Their main role was to make sure the King's rules about the forest were followed.
In the past, Verderers looked into small crimes like illegally hunting deer or cutting down trees without permission. They also handled the daily tasks of managing the forest. Today, Verderers still exist in places like the New Forest, the Forest of Dean, and Epping Forest. They work to protect the traditional ways people use the land, and they help keep the natural beauty and wildlife safe.
Contents
What Are Verderers and Where Did They Come From?
Verderers were first part of a big system of judges and managers for the huge English forests. These forests were set aside by William the Conqueror for hunting. The word "Verderer" comes from an old Norman word, 'vert', which means green. This refers to the woodlands they protected.
These large forests were split into different areas. Each area had a main judge who traveled around to handle serious crimes. Verderers, on the other hand, focused on smaller issues. They investigated and wrote down details about minor rule-breaking and managed the forest day-to-day.
New Forest Verderers: Protecting Commoners
In the New Forest, Verderers are a group of people who are not paid for their work. Their main goal is to look after the interests of the New Forest Commoners. Commoners are people who have special rights to use the forest, like letting their animals graze there. The Verderers also work to keep the Forest beautiful and protect its traditional character.
Together, these Verderers form a group called the Court of Verderers. This court has been around since before the 1100s. At first, the Verderers worked for the King. But in the 1800s, their role changed. Now, they represent the commoners. The Court of Verderers acts like a Magistrates Court. They are in charge of making sure commoning rules are followed. They also deal with illegal fences or buildings and other issues related to protecting the forest. This includes plans for new roads, parking lots, camping sites, and other facilities.
Forest of Dean Verderers: Guardians of Nature
The Verderers in the Forest of Dean have been active since at least 1218. Their job is to protect the 'vert' (the plants and trees) and 'venison' (the animals, especially deer) of the Forest. Essentially, they protect the forest's natural environment and wildlife.
The Verderers are chosen by people who own land in Gloucestershire. They are elected at a very old meeting called the Gloucester Court. Once elected, they serve for their whole lives. The number of deer in the Forest of Dean has changed a lot over the years. For about 90 years, from 1855, there were no deer at all! But today, about 400 fallow deer live in the Forest. The Verderers now meet four times a year in their courtroom, which is inside the Speech House building. This building is near the center of the Forest.
Epping Forest Verderers: Representing Forest Users
Verderers have been appointed in Epping Forest since the early 1200s. This forest used to be called Waltham Forest and was also a royal hunting ground. While some early records are missing, the role of Verderer was officially kept by a law called the Epping Forest Act of 1878. This law named the first Verderers of the new system, including famous people like Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton.
Today, Verderers in Epping Forest are elected every seven years. They are chosen by the registered commoners, with two Verderers for the northern parts of the forest and two for the southern parts. These Verderers act as representatives for everyone who uses the Forest. They regularly meet with the Forest Superintendent and other officials. They are also members of the Epping Forest Committee, which is part of the City of London. A book about the history of Epping Forest's Verderers was published in 2004.
See also
