The Gallery
Learning about and practising commoning on the New Forest.
In medieval times a forest meant an area preserved for royal hunting, and not a wooded area as it does today.
The Agisiter ensures welfare standards of the free-roaming animals are maintained.
The ‘architects’ of the New Forest.
The New Forest landscape supports many species of plants, insects, birds and mammals. It should be valued as a reserve for nature.
One of many gatherings where Commoners can exchange news, information and knowledge.
Pannage season is part of the ancient commoning rights and a popular tradition.
Traditional management practices, particularly commoning, have conserved the ecological diversity of the Forest.
Tag Archives: Henry VIII
New Forest: trees – our natural and cultural assets
Without a doubt, the free-roaming animals of the New Forest are an asset to the local economy and, as ‘architects of the Forest’, are one of the most important bio-forces that sustain the ecology and environmental constituency of the landscape. … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest flora & fauna
Tagged A3, ancient, animals, Ash, Beech, cedar, chestnut, common, deer, Elm, Forest, Henry VIII, King, Knightwood Oak, landmark, landscape, legacy, M25, New forest, Oak, Queen, RHS Wisley, Royal Horticultural Society, Sheffield, species, tree
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New Forest: pony breeding through the ages.
Anticipation is mounting across the Forest, as the annual Stallion Inspection approaches. Owners will currently be working with their ponies to ensure that they are prepared for the show ring and can walk and trot whilst being led and are … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony
Tagged Beaulieu Abbey, Beaulieu Road, breeding, colts, confirmation, courser, cull, destrier, drift, foals, garron, hand high, Henry III, Henry VIII, hobbies, mares, Middle Ages, monastery, monks, New forest, pack horse, palfrey, ponies, pony, rouncey, round-up, stallion inspection, stallions, stud farm, sumpter, trot, walk, war horse, warhorse
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Unusual tails from the New Forest
Attending the annual pony-round ups, known as drifts, is an important part of a New Forest commoner’s calendar. The drifts were ordered to take place each year fifteen days after Michaelmas, by Henry VIII in 1540, and continue more or … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, New Forest pony, New Forest Pony Drift
Tagged Agisiter, drift, Henry VIII, marking fee, Michaelmas, New forest, Open Forest, pony, tail cutting, tail marking
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Drifting on the New Forest
Being a commoner on the New Forest involves continuing a pastoral system that is steeped in history. In the 16th century Henry VIII, who is better known for marrying six wives and establishing the Church of England, created laws that … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, New Forest pony, New Forest Pony Drift
Tagged Commoner, cull, drift, foal, Henry VIII, horse, Horses Act 1540, knight, mare, New forest, pony, pound, round-up, sense, stallion
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Stallions on the New Forest
There has been a lot of excitement on the New Forest recently due to the stallions being released onto the Open Forest. This is an annual event and, this year (2014), ten male ponies have been turned out to run … Continue reading
Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony, New Forest Pony Drift
Tagged Arabian, Commoner, cull, Eclipse, Elizabeth I, foals, Henry VIII, mares, Marske, Michaelmas, nature, New forest, New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society, slaughter, stallions, Thoroughbred, Tudor, Verderers, Victorian, wild
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