Royal Forests

Royal forests were large areas of land reserved by monarchs primarily for royal hunting and recreation. These lands included woods, parks, and game preserves, often kept protected from farming or settlement. While they provided game for hunting, they also played roles in managing resources like timber and managing water flow. Over time, laws restricted common people's access to these forests, making them royal privileges. Today, the concept of royal forests has evolved into protected areas and national parks, but historically, they symbolized royal authority over land and resources.