|
Forest Law
2021 For the exhibition, The House Shal Be Preserved 11th July - 28th September 2021 Rockingham Castle Northamptonshire Commissioned by Fermynwoods Contemporary Art |
|
Forest Law
2021
Forest Law refers to the manner in which Rockingham Forest was once governed by the rule of the King. Under this system, the rights of common people to access common land within the enclosure of the Forest was managed and policed. No persons were allowed to hunt deer or wild boar for these were declared property of the King. Similarly, no persons were permitted to fell trees for firewood or graze farm animals without paying taxes. Passage through the forest was also restricted at certain times of the year to further complicate daily life. Raising a family must have been difficult.
The law condemns the man or woman
Who steals the goose from off the common,
But leave the greater villain loose
Who steals the common from off the goose.
(from The Goose and the Commons, 17th Century English Folk Song)
A hierarchy of titled officials were given powers to maintain control of the natural assets of the Forest. This included raiding the homes of suspected persons, confiscating personal property and removing the claws of pet dogs to make them ineffective for deer hunting. Crimes against the King’s deer and woodlands led to severe punishment. People found guilty of poaching, stealing wood or evading tax were incarcerated at Rockingham Castle where a Royal court called ‘The Eyre’ was held every seven years. This hearing before the King would determine the fate of the individual.
Within this context, the artwork presented in the exhibition presents the viewer with a fictionalised collection of poaching and trapping tools that celebrate the ingenuity and creative vigor of the common folk of Rockingham Forest.
2021
Forest Law refers to the manner in which Rockingham Forest was once governed by the rule of the King. Under this system, the rights of common people to access common land within the enclosure of the Forest was managed and policed. No persons were allowed to hunt deer or wild boar for these were declared property of the King. Similarly, no persons were permitted to fell trees for firewood or graze farm animals without paying taxes. Passage through the forest was also restricted at certain times of the year to further complicate daily life. Raising a family must have been difficult.
The law condemns the man or woman
Who steals the goose from off the common,
But leave the greater villain loose
Who steals the common from off the goose.
(from The Goose and the Commons, 17th Century English Folk Song)
A hierarchy of titled officials were given powers to maintain control of the natural assets of the Forest. This included raiding the homes of suspected persons, confiscating personal property and removing the claws of pet dogs to make them ineffective for deer hunting. Crimes against the King’s deer and woodlands led to severe punishment. People found guilty of poaching, stealing wood or evading tax were incarcerated at Rockingham Castle where a Royal court called ‘The Eyre’ was held every seven years. This hearing before the King would determine the fate of the individual.
Within this context, the artwork presented in the exhibition presents the viewer with a fictionalised collection of poaching and trapping tools that celebrate the ingenuity and creative vigor of the common folk of Rockingham Forest.
THE CONFISCATIONS
The artist would graciously like to thank the owners of Rockingham Castle, Fermynwoods Contemporary Art and Peter Hill for the opportunity to engage with the histories and heritage of Rockingham Lore. This exhibition has served as a guide through difficult lockdown conditions.
Forest Law will be exhibited at Gray's School of Art until the 30th July 2021. By appointment only. Please contact the artist to arrange viewing.
Forest Law will be exhibited at Gray's School of Art until the 30th July 2021. By appointment only. Please contact the artist to arrange viewing.