King's deer

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AlexAD

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Hello.

Robin Hood, as you probably know, chased animals in Sherwood Forest with his band. This time I have met the expression King's deer. Does it mean that forest was guarded by the law and nobody but the King and their surroundings were allowed to chase animals there? Is that the reason why they used adjective King's with deer?

Dear teachers, I would be grateful if you would find and correct any errors in my writing.

Thanks, Alex.
 

bhaisahab

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Hello.

Robin Hood, as you probably know, chased animals in Sherwood Forest with his band. This time I have met the expression King's deer. Does it mean that forest was guarded by the law and nobody but the King and their surroundings were allowed to chase animals there? Is that the reason why they used adjective King's with deer?

Dear teachers, I would be grateful if you would find and correct any errors in my writing.

Thanks, Alex.
Sherwood, in common with other forests in Britain, was a Royal forest and all the resident wildlife belonged to the reigning monarch. "The King's deer" means the deer belonging to the King.
 
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AlexAD

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Thanks, bhai.

Was there a forest in Britain at that times which didn't belong to the King?
 

birdeen's call

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If you look at this entry in AH, you will notice the third meaning of the word, which is
A defined area of land formerly set aside in England as a royal hunting ground.
As you see, by definition a "forest" is the same as "royal forest". It didn't even have to be a wooded area necessarily.

Private hunting grounds were called chases.
 

AlexAD

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Would it be possible for me to visit Sherwood forest if I came to the UK? ;-)
 
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birdeen's call

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I visited one wooded area in England, Moseley Bog, and it was a very sad view. :-( It's such a pity that we're making them disappear.
 
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