ch
they introduced large clay pots, resembling those used at glasshouses,
filled with various proportions of the necessary mixture of ores and
charcoal. The furnaces were heated by the flame of pit-coal, and it was
expected that, by tapping the pots below, the separated materials would
flow out. This rude process was found entirely impracticable; the heat
was inadequate to perfect separation, the pots cracked, and in a short
time the process was abandoned altogether."

The important Act of 1668 confirmed to persons digging for coal in the
Forest their lawful rights and privileges, as also to the Crown the
liberty to lease the coal-mines for a period not exceeding thirty-one
years. This latter provision was immediately acted upon, the coal-mines
and quarries of grindstones being granted to Francis Tyrringham, Esq.,
for thirty-one years, at a rental of 30 pounds per annum, a price which,
if it were fairly agreed upon, affords some intimation of the extent and
value of the Forest coal-works at that time.

By the first "Order" of the Court of Mine Law, dated March 18th of the
year last named (1668), it was fixed that a dozen bushels of lime-coal
should be disposed of for 3s. at the Lime Slad; for 5s. 6d. at the top of
the Little Doward; for 5s. 4d. at any other kilns thereon; for 5s. at the
Buckstones; for 5s. 6d. at Monmouth; for 4s. at the Weare over Wye; for
4s. if on this side; for 3s. 6d. at Coldwall; for 3s. at Lydbrook; and
for 4s. 4d. at Redbrook.

The second "Order" of the same Court, agreed to on the 9th of March,
1674, provides that "the servants of the Deputy Constable shall always be
first served at the pitts." In the same year a petition was presented to
the Crown by several gentlemen and freeholders of the parish of Newland
for leave to drain some coal-pits at Milkwall, stating that "the
inhabitants of the adjacent country were supplied from the collieries of
the Forest with coal for firing, and also for lime coal, without which
there would be little tillage."

The next Mine Law Court, held on the 8th of September, 1678, determined
that a barrel or three Winchester bushels should be the constant measure
for coal, four-pence being the smallest price allowed to be taken for "a
barrel" of fire coal. "And whereas the myners within this Forest are at
a very great charge to make surffes for the dreyning of their pitts to
get cole, wch when they have finished others sincke pitts so near them
that they are d