Beskwood Parke.
King Henry the first granted to the Priory of Lenton, to have two carts to fetch dead
Wood and Heath out of Bescwood. (fn. 1) King Henry the second granted that Covent to have every day two Carrs or three Carretts to bring them dead Wood or Heath
as much as they should need for their own use.
(fn. 2) In the Inquisition taken at St. John's House in Nottingham, the fourth of the nones
of July, in 35 H. 3, before Geoffrey Langley Justices of the Forest, it is called an Hay
or Park of our Lord the King wherein no man commons.
In the Regard, 31 E. 3, the Kings Hay of Beskwood is said to be closed in with a pale,
and to be then in the keeping of Richard de lawche [de la Vache] Knight.
(fn. 3) King Edward the third by his Letters Patents, dated at his Park of Beskwood, 1st
Sept. 37 E. 3, pardoned and released certain Rents issuing out of Lindeby Hay, and Bullwell Rise, to the Priory of Newstede.
(fn. 4) The Wood of Beskwood was, 2 E. 3, granted to Richard de Strelley for his life,
paying — the extent thereof yearly, having had an Ad quod Damnum; the same
King, 22 Febr. 8 E. 3, (fn. 5) granted him all the dry Zuches, which in English were then
called Stovenes or (Stubbes) within his Hay of Beskwood. This Richard Strelley is
there stiled Dilecto valecto nostro.
(fn. 6) Philip de Willughby mentioned in Bullwell, about 33 E. 1, held one toft there,
and two bovats of Land, with the appurtenances, by the service of being Forester in
Beskewood, and likewise the fourscore acres, there noted, in Bullwell Ground. His brother
William de Willughby was then found his heir.
It hath a very fair Lodge in it, and in respect of the pleasant scituation of the place,
and conveniency of hunting and pleasure, this Park and Lodge hath for these many years
been the desire and atchievement of great men: three Earls of Rutland had it, Roger,
Francis, and George; before that Thomas Markham, a great courtier and servant to
Queen Elizabeth, had it; and before him little Sir John Byron a great favourite to King
Henry the eighth. It is now in lease to William Lord Willughby of Parham.
Before the troubles it was well stored with red deer. But now it is parcelled into little
closes on one side, and much of it hath been plowed, so that there is scarce either wood
or venison: which is also too likely to be the fate of the whole Forest of Shirewood.
[Throsby] Beskwood Park.
Here stands an old hall occupied by a Mrs. Barton. The Park is now thrown into
farms, and Shirewood Forest is exactly in the state Thoroton judged it would be.