Dean

Dean, FOREST OF, a picturesque hilly tract, 34 sq. miles in extent, in the west of Gloucestershire, between the Severn and the Wye, and within the hundred of St Briavels, is an ancient royal forest. It was almost entirely disafforested by Charles I., on a sale to Sir John Wintour, but was re-afforested by act of parliament very shortly after the Restoration. The greater part still remains crown property; and about one-half is appropriated for the growth of timber for the navy. It is divided into six 'walks,' which contain woods of oak, beech, &c. There are coal and iron mines, and quarries of stone suitable for building and making grindstones, troughs, and rollers. Persons born in the hundred, and residing and working a year and a day in the mines, become, on registration, free miners. Their ancient privileges, entitling them exclusively to grants of the crown mines (subject to the right of the crown to put on a fifth man for every four miners, now commuted for a royalty), and, formerly, to timber for the mines, were regulated and enforced by the Mine Law Court, held at the Speech House, within Dean Forest, where the Verderer's Court is still held; but have, with some variations, been defined and confirmed by several acts and commissioners' awards of the present century. Dean Forest is under the control of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, one of whom, as 'gaveller,' has the supervision of the mines, and a deputy-surveyor, deputy-gaveller, registrar, four verderers (whose office, since the extermination of the deer in 1854 is almost a sinecure), and other officials.