This year marks the very first celebration of Sherwood Forest Day. The idea was introduced as an early day motion by MP for Sherwood Michelle Walsh at the end of 2024. It is hoped that this will become an annual event and this year’s inaugural celebrations also fall on Hayman Rookes birthday, 20th February.
The Mansfield Woodhouse Heritage Link have been instrumental in working with partners to bring this annual celebration to pass. We have long been proud of Major Hayman Rookes contribution to raising the profile of Sherwood Forest and Mansfield Woodhouse. In 2023 we held a celebration of his 300th birthday where we were also able to unveil a presentation board commemorating the Majors Life and achievements, outside Mansfield Woodhouse Library. In 2015 the MWHL also organised for a blue plaque to be erected on his home, Woodhouse Place in Mansfield Woodhouse. We are excited to grow the event into a vibrant yearly celebration of Sherwood Forest, Mansfield Woodhouse and the man who put them on the map.
Sherwood Forest was for many centuries one of the largest forests in England. A place of leisure for generations of Kings beginning with King John, where they would enjoy the sport of hunting the native deer and rabbits. According to Historic UK, ‘…Today it is possible to view the ruins of King John’s hunting lodge at the village of Kings Clipstone…’. The term forest was originally a term used to denote any aera of land designated for Royal use only.
In more recent years the forest has become synonymous with the legend of Robin Hood and while it would have certainly provided a perfect hiding place for bandits and thieves, the significance of Sherwood Forest goes much further than this Victorian folk tale. Major Hayman Rooke’s work would play an important role in giving this ancient and quickly diminishing woodland the recognition it deserved.
Andy Gaunt writes that ‘…Sherwood stretched at least 20 miles from Budby in the north… to Nottingham City… in the South…’ and covering most of the county of Nottinghamshire, compared to the 1,000 acres it spans today. It was not as you might assume, one dense blanket of trees however, since the Roman times spaces were cleared and turned to grazing, agricultural and heathland. Over time these became thriving settlements and villages, many often taking the name Woodhouse.
One of these settlements was Mansfield Woodhouse. Nestled in a clearing north of the larger market town of Mansfield and surrounded by Sherwood on all sides, people had made this place home since at least the 13th Century. The Forest provided those living within it with game, agricultural land, timber for their homes and as a means of trade. Wood cut from the forest was sold for the building of ships.
During King Henry the Eighths reign and his dissolution of the Monasteries, the lands of the forest and the towns within it were broken up and given to various aristocratic families and hence known as the Dukeries. The area including Mansfield Woodhouse was bestowed to the family of the Duke of Portland.
After retiring from a distinguished military career, Major Hayman Rooke sold his inherited estates in Kent and relocated to Mansfield Woodhouse. He took up residence in Woodhouse Place. This manor was situated on Leeming Lane and had stood there for 100 years.
The house was described in a work on the history of Mansfield Woodhouse by William Harrod as being ‘…nearly surrounded by lofty evergreens, the windows admitting a dim religious light. The pleasure grounds were planted with much ingenuity and taste, inside were things valuable to a mind like that of its worthy possessor…’
The Major didn’t intend his retirement to be a quiet one however and quickly put his considerable talents to work uncovering the area’s history. He worked with other local historians and antiquarians to write and publish articles, journals and books on Mansfield Woodlouse’s past. He was also instrumental in the discovery and the excavation and protection of the Roman Villa at Pleasley Vale.
He also enjoyed making sketches of the flora and fauna within Sherwood Forest, especially its ancient Oaks. It was these sketches that would come to shine a light on the natural treasure that lay within Sherwood Forest.
While taking long walks within the forest the Major was impressed by the ancient trees he saw there. He made detailed drawings of them and paid special attention to the various old Oak trees he found. One Oak tree in particular captures his imagination and affection. Then called the Queens Oak and now known in his honour as the Major Oak, this tree has a trunk 11 metres thick and a canopy that stretches 28 metres and is at least 1000 years old.
Hayman Rooke went on the compile his sketches and research in a book he published entitled ‘Descriptions and Sketches of some Remarkable Oaks’. His work gave renewed prominence to this ancient woodland and its ecosystem, and it became an increasingly popular tourist destination into the Victorian era. The Major Oak was especially gained so much attention from visitors that it had to be protected and has been cared for by forest wardens since 1900.
At the end of his life Major Hayman Rooke was buried in the church of St Edmunds in Mansfield Woodhouse. His gravestone lies on the floor of the church and over the years has become faded and worn. It is however a quiet tribute to an extraordinary man, one who’s boundless energy, enthusiasm, creativity and curiosity to raise the standing of one of the nations most revered forests and the people who called it home.
Amy Norris
Heritage Link Volunteer.
