I spotted this old piece of graffiti on a Beech near the Knightwood Oak; I love finding old graffiti, even more so when it's connected, or maybe connected, to historical events. 1877 is the year of the 'New Forest Act' which restricted the creation of any further large forestry enclosures in order to protect the Commoner's grazing land, it also recognised the open woodland as 'ancient' and re-establish the Verderer's Court which had previously been dissolved. There's something carved above the date, though whether it's letters and/or a symbol are uncertain due to distortions in the bark. I have to wonder if this double underlined date is in recognition of the Commoner's victory?
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