Verderer

Verderers are officials in Britain who deal with Common land in certain former royal hunting areas which are the property of The Crown. The office was developed in the Middle Ages to administer Forest Law on behalf of the King. Verderers investigated and recorded minor offences such as the taking of venison and the illegal cutting of woodland, and dealt with the day-to-day forest administration. In the modern era verderers are still to be found in the New Forest, the Forest of Dean, and Epping Forest, where they serve to protect commoning practices, and conserve the traditional landscape and wildlife.

Verderers were originally part of the ancient judicial and administrative hierarchy of the vast areas of English forests and Royal Forests set aside by William the Conqueror for hunting. The title Verderer comes from the Norman word ‘vert’ meaning green and referring to woodland. These forests were divided into provinces each having a Chief Justice who travelled around on circuit dealing with the more serious offences. Verderers investigated and recorded minor offences and dealt with the day to day forest administration.

The New Forest Verderers still hold their courts at the Verderers’ Hall in Lyndhurst, Hampshire built around the manor house of the Royal Manor of Lyndhurst in 1388 now known as Queen’s House.

Major changes from the ancient system took place with the passing of the New Forest Act 1877, also known as the Commoners’ Charter. This increased the number of Verderers. The Official Verderer was appointed by the Crown and the others were elected locally by registered commoners living within the New Forest. The Verderers themselves each had to own more than 75 acres in the New Forest with common rights attached. They were expected to control the grazing and health of the animals turned out on the Forest, to make bylaws and regulate rights of common. The reorganised Court of Swainmote was given the status of Petty Sessions and the Verderers powers of a Justice of the Peace.

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