Source 5: Animals stolen from Framlingham deer park, 1283

Whilst Roger Bigod was away fighting in Wales in service of Edward I, thieves stole deer and hares from his park (a protected area for rich lords to retain deer and other animals for hunting) at Framlingham.

Animals stolen from Framlingham deer park, 1283 – Patent Rolls, Edward I, 1281-1292. Volume 2, p.73, Membrane 12, 30 July 1283 Carnarvon (catalogue reference: C 66/102, m. 12)

 

Translation

Commission of oyer and terminer… to R. Loveday and William de Pakenham, touching the persons who broke the parks of Roger le Bigot, earl of Norfolk and marshal of England, at Lopham, Ersham, Hanewrthe, Bungeye, Stowe, Koleshale, Cratefeud, Pesehale, Framelingham, Holesle, Waleton, Saham, and Stanham, during his absence on the king’s service and under the king’s protection in Wales, and there and in his free warrens in the said parks hunted and carried away deer and hares.

 

Simplified translation

Loveday and William de Parkenham are ordered to identify and investigate the people who hunted and stole deer and hares from the parks of Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, at Lopham, Ersham, Hanewrthe, Bungeye, Stowe, Koleshale, Cratefeud, Pesehale, Framelingham, Holesle, Waleton, Saham, and Stanham, while the earl was away from England serving the king in Wales.

 

« Return to Framlingham Castle

Question

  • Hunting was big part of medieval life for rich lords and ladies. They would have based themselves at their castle, and gone hunting in nearby parks. What does the evidence presented in the source reveal about the function of castles in Medieval England?