The History of English Podcast Episode 71: On The Hunt
Dec 5, 2015
Explore the events leading to the death of William the Conqueror and the reign of his son William Rufus. Learn about the origins and implications of forest laws in Norman England, conflicts and rivalries faced by William and his sons, the Anglo-Saxon view of William and his love for deer, the origins of 'rich' and 'poor' in Old English, and the tensions and revolts against King William Rufus.
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Hunting Shaped English Phrases
- Hunting vocabulary permeates English with phrases like 'bated breath' and 'hue and cry' derived from medieval hunting.
- These common expressions reflect how central hunting was to medieval life and language.
Forest Meant Royal Preserve
- 'Forest' originally meant any royal hunting preserve with strict legal controls, not just wooded land.
- The Norman forest laws transformed large swathes of England into restricted preserves, causing resentment across classes.
Brutal Impact Of Forest Laws
- Forest laws prohibited cutting trees, clearing land, diverting streams, or hunting animals except by the king.
- Violations could lead to brutal punishments, deepening popular hatred of the system.