MINERS OF THE FOREST

We are in development of a drama documentary on the history of mining in the Forest of Dean looking back at the people and stories made by the characters of the forest.

These proud people have a great pride in there forest and its stories and we have the privilege to bring some of them to you.

Free Miners

For 700 years the Free Miners of the Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, have mined coal but now their future is in doubt. It was the skill of their forefathers in tunnelling under castle fortifications that earned them the right, by Royal decree, to mine anywhere in the forest without hindrance

Those born within the Forest of Dean (within the ancient Hundred of St Briavels) have exercised their right to open their own gale (small mine) to work coal, iron ore, ochre and stone.

Mining for ochre probably began in the Forest of Dean over 4,500 years ago. Iron and coal was being extensively mined during Roman times, although local miners managed to remain free from Roman control, probably by supplying them with their produce.

It is thought that the unique privileges later granted to the Freeminers were a reward for their part in recapturing Berwick upon Tweed in the 13th and 14th centuries, but it was not until 1838 that the Dean Forest (Mines) Act enshrined their rights in an act of parliament:

"All male persons born or hereafter to be born and abiding within the said Hundred of St Briavels, of the age of twenty one years and upwards, who shall have worked a year and a day in a coal or iron mine within the said Hundred of St Briavels, shall be deemed and taken to be Free Miners."

“We take a look back at the history and stories of these proud men of the forest speaking with free miners of today and reconstructing the life and work of a bygone age   ”

 ©  Severn Film Productions  2016

 links | conditions of use

SEVERN

FILM PRODUCTIONS

telephone: 01594 528230

Mobile: 07933251485

info@severnfilmproductions.com