The New Forest in History
The area that is now the New Forest with it's extensive heath was never densly populated, not with such fertile areas available close by but people did live and work there over the millenia.
- Bronze Age barrows aren't always immediately recognisable but there are plenty scattered about. The most prominent being Boltons Bench just outside Lyndhurst.
- Several pottery kilns and coins among other remains have been found dating back to the Roman occupation as well as some village remains at the very edge of the region.
- William the Conqueror declared Forest Law in the region and created the New Forest as Royal deer hunting grounds in 1079
- William II, nicknamed Rufus was fatally shot by an arrow in Canterton Glen on the 2nd August 1100. Rufus was responsible for introducing maiming punishments for those unfortunate to be caught breaking Forest Law.
- The Cistercian abbey was founded in 1204 at Beaulieu. The Saxon name was Beo-lea (bee meadow) and was renamed Beau lieu (beautiful place) by the Normans. The abbey has been owned by the Montegu family since 1537.
- Charles I fled here on his way to Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight on 13th November 1647