Four facts about the New Forest that will astonish and amaze

With a history rooted in the 11th century, this enchanting landscape has been graced by the presence of royalty and has tales of mythical beings.

Unveiling four captivating facts, we embark on a journey through the defining moments that have shaped the identity of the New Forest, captivating the hearts of visitors throughout the ages.

1. New Forest village had plenty of unusual names

The quaint New Forest village of Burley has an intriguing history, one that's reflected in the unusual surnames of its past inhabitants. A delve into the parish register reveals a colourful tapestry of names that offer a glimpse into the lives and occupations of those who once called this charming place home.

Among the most peculiar surnames found in the records are Bezoar, Fumemittery, Westmucket, Xury, and Clapshoe. 

These unique names, likely derived from various sources and paint a vivid picture of the diverse cultural and linguistic influences that shaped the region over centuries.

Beyond these intriguing surnames, registers also provide insights into the occupations of other Hampshire residents. 

One such occupation, "Soutaer," refers to a cobbler, a skilled craftsman who mended and repaired shoes. 

Another interesting occupation, "Thechere," denotes a thatcher, a person responsible for constructing or repairing thatched roofs, a traditional building material commonly used in the area at the time.

Drawing from French origins, the surname "Scivier" is believed to be derived from the word "oiseau," meaning "bird." This suggests that a Scivier might have been involved in bird-catching, perhaps for hunting or falconry, activities that were once prevalent in the New Forest. 

Similarly, the surname "Kitcher" is linked to the French word "cuisse," which translates to "thigh." A Kitcher would have likely been a skilled armourer, specialising in crafting the thigh pieces of protective armour worn by knights and soldiers.

These fascinating surnames offer a window into the past and a glimpse into the lives, occupations, and cultural influences that have shaped the history of Burley and the surrounding region.
 

2. Poachers were whipped

The penalty for hunting a wild beast in the New Forest during the reign of King Edward I was severe. 

Any man who dared to pursue such an animal, even if only to the point of exhaustion, faced a fine of half a sovereign or a brutal whipping "until the skin peeled off his back." 

The king's decree was clear; the New Forest was a sanctuary for wildlife, and any transgression would be met with swift and harsh punishment.

The fine of half a sovereign was a significant sum at the time, equivalent to several days' wages for a common labourer. 

However, the true deterrent was the threat of corporal punishment. 

Whipping was a common form of punishment in medieval England, but the severity of the penalty in this case was intended to send a clear message. 

The king was determined to protect the New Forest from the ravages of hunting, and he was willing to use whatever means necessary to achieve his goal.

The forest had been a popular hunting ground for the nobility and gentry, who often came to the forest in search of deer, boar, and other game. 

However, the king recognised the importance of preserving the forest's ecological balance, and he took steps to limit the impact of hunting.

The penalty for hunting in the New Forest was not always enforced with equal rigour. 

Some men were able to avoid punishment by bribing forest officials or by claiming that they had been hunting on private land. However, the threat of punishment was always present, and it served to discourage many people from engaging in illegal hunting activities.

The New Forest remains one of the most important wildlife habitats in England today, and it is a reminder of the king's efforts to preserve it for future generations.

3. Renowned fletcher made arrow that killed a king

In the Hampshire village of  Eling lived a master craftsman named Cobb, renowned throughout the land for his exceptional skill as an arrow-maker, or fletcher. With deft hands and a keen eye, Cobb fashioned arrows that were the envy of archers far and wide, their impeccable balance and deadly accuracy unmatched by any other.

One fateful day, Cobb completed a batch of six arrows, each a masterpiece in its own right.

 Four of these exquisite arrows were destined for the royal treasury, a gift from the humble fletcher to the mighty King Rufus himself. 

The remaining two arrows were entrusted to Sir Walter Tyrell, a renowned knight and skilled archer known for his loyalty to the king.

When news of the king's tragic demise spread like wildfire through the kingdom, a dark cloud descended upon the land. Struck by an arrow while hunting in the New Forest, King Rufus had fallen victim to a fatal wound. 

As the investigation into the king's death unfolded it became apparent that the arrow which claimed the king's life was one of the pair Cobb had crafted for Sir Walter Tyrell. This raised a troubling question: had the arrow that killed the king been fired deliberately, or had it been a tragic accident?

The following days were filled with uncertainty and tension as Cobb found himself caught in the maelstrom of royal intrigue. While he was able to definitively identify the arrow as his own work, proving whether it had been fired with malice remained a tantalising mystery. 

As the investigation into King Rufus's death continued, Cobb was left to grapple with the consequences of his involvement. The once-proud fletcher, whose arrows were renowned for their accuracy and precision, now found himself entangled in a web of suspicion and uncertainty. 

The fate of the kingdom hung in the balance, and Cobb's name was inextricably linked to the tragic events that had unfolded.

4. New Forest inspired Alice in Wonderland

Dodgson was a mathematician and writer often associated with Oxford, where he worked as a lecture

The New Forest’s unique character, with its mixture of wildness and tranquillity, would have resonated with Carroll's penchant for the fantastical and the absurd.

He may have drawn inspiration from the forest's peculiar creatures, such as the elusive badger or the curious deer, as well as its strange and wonderful flora. 

In addition to its natural beauty, the New Forest also has a rich history and mythology. The forest was once a royal hunting ground, and there are many legends associated with its ancient trees and mysterious waterways. 

These tales of magic and enchantment may have influenced Carroll's imagination and helped him to create the fantastical world of Wonderland.

Alice Pleasance Liddell, the young girl who inspired Dogdson's iconic Alice books, was born in 1852. Her life was forever intertwined with the whimsical world of Wonderland when she met the author at the tender age of four.

Dodgson, a close friend of the Liddell family, often entertained Alice and her sisters with fantastical tales during their outings. It was on one such boat trip that he recounted the story of a little girl who fell down a rabbit hole, setting the stage for the adventures that would later become "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

Dodgson's captivating narratives, tailored to Alice's imagination, formed the basis for "Alice's Adventures Under Ground," the initial draft of the Alice stories.