Forest of High Peak

The Forest of High Peak was, in medieval times, a moorland forest covering most of the North West of Derbyshire, in England as far south as Tideswell and Buxton.

From the time of the Norman Conquest it was established as a royal hunting reserve, administered by William Peverel, an illegitimate son of William I, who was based at Peak Castle.

The south western area between the River Wye and the Kinder Scout was relatively open country, which was enclosed by a low wall, sufficient to keep out cattle and sheep but allow the deer to roam. The area was known as Campana, the other two being Hopedale and Longdendale. The point where they met is to this day marked by Edale Cross.

As well as his custodianship of the Forest, William also held a number of manors as part of what was recorded in the Domesday Survey as the Honour of Peverel. His son, also William, was granted a number of other manors, such that the Peverels could regard it as their domain, apart from the manors of Muchedeswell and Tickhill which belonged to Henry de Ferrers.

However, in 1154 the estate is were confiscated by King Henry II who rebuilt Peak Castle in 1176. In 1189 from Richard I gave the honour of the Peak to John the Count of Mortain. Later Edward II bestowed it briefly to his favourite Piers de Gaveston and then under Edward II it passed in 1345 to John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey. John died in 1347 and it passed to Edward's wife Philippa of Hainault. Finally in 1372 it was granted to John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. When his son Henry IV ascended the throne the Honour of the Peak passed to the crown along with all the other holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster, such as Duffield Frith. Subsequently the manor and forest of High Peak were leased in perpetuity to the Dukes of Devonshire.

References

Turbutt, G., (1999) "A History of Derbyshire. Volume 2: Medieval Derbyshire," Cardiff: Merton Priory Press