| The Pale was established about 700 years ago,
in Medieval times. It was a huge wall made of clay, which was used to stop deer
getting out of the forest so it would be easier for the hunters to hunt them.
To make sure the deer were securely embraced in the boundary of the forest, the
hunters dug a ditch on the inside, so the deer could get into the forest but not
out. The hunters attached a wooden fence to the top of the pale. There used to
be gates in the pale leading into the forest so the hunters and vehicles could
get in. Some gate names still remain today such as Highgate and Chelwood Gate.
There were also some half gates called hatches, which were entrances for people.
Some of those names still remain today such as Chuck Hatch, Colemans Hatch and
Hatch End. |
