FREEMINING

is an ancient mining custom, practised in the FOREST OF DEAN since
​​'TYME OUT OF MYNDE'
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A Freeminer by ancient custom and now statute, is a specific category of person born in the Forest of Dean area (specifically the Hundred of St Briavels) qualifying for legal registration by the Crown (see Today). Over many hundreds of years, Freeminers have been invaluable to the Crown, in return they were rewarded by various monarchs and now by Act of Parliament, with the legal right to exclusively mine in the Forest of Dean and Hundred of St Briavels.

People living in The Forest of Dean have an unbroken history of mining and exploration for useful materials from beneath their feet. For as long as people have lived between the Rivers Severn and Wye, they have been extracting useful minerals. Tools discovered at ancient Forest of Dean mine sites, clearly show that ochre mining in particular has been practised since prehistoric times. Ochre, iron ore and coal production by local miners was well established by the time of Roman occupation of the area; this is possibly where the present mining customs originated. Later from Crown records, we know Forest of Dean miners were operating independently and their mining skills were highly valued by medieval kings. Forest of Dean miners were taken on campaigns, around the country, to Scotland and even France, to the extent the king might ask for certain Freeminers by name. The Forest of Dean became one of the most important coal and iron mining districts of Britain, and Dean miners became known as the 'King's Men' and the 'King's Pyoneers.' It is from the medieval period we have the first known written record of Freemining.

Gales.
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A Freeminers' holding, or area to work, is known as a gale. Gales are an area of land below the surface, granted to a Freeminer by the Crown, with the right to mine coal, iron ore, stone and other specified minerals. ​Today Freemining is regulated by the Dean Forest (Mines) Act 1838. Only a Freeminer can require the grant of a gale from the Crown, but since 1838, the gale can subsequently be sold, willed or gifted to a non Freeminer and the new galee continues to hold the Freemining right to that gale. Gales are defined on maps held by the Deputy Gaveller at Bank House in Coleford. The Deputy Gaveller is appointed by the Gaveller (currently the Forestry Commissioners) to be their person on the ground and whose role has been recorded from 1464. Since 1838 the position has become a statutory one. The Deputy Gaveller collects Crown royalties and ensures rules, regulations and laws applicable to the Freemining custom are followed.
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Freeminers today.

​​As well as practising traditional mining, Freeminers hold their meetings at the Speech House in the traditional centre of the Forest of Dean. Freemining was regulated by the miners themselves through their Mine Law Court originally held at convenient places either side of the Forest. From the 12th century, Freeminers held most of their Mine Law Courts at St Briavels Castle and Clearwell Court, overseen by Forest of Dean officials on behalf of the Crown. St Briavels Castle became the administrative centre for the Hundred, until the Speech House was built in 1676, almost 350 years ago. The Speech House was the King's lodge built specifically to house the local courts, hence the name. The building is now leased as a hotel, but the Freeminer's meetings and Verderers courts are still held there. The last judicial Mine Law Court was held at the Speech House in 1777, even so Freeminers meetings are still held in the Forester's Room. There isn't a register showing when a Freeminer dies, but there are thought to be around 100 Freeminers alive today.

​Currently there are five operating collieries, one iron mine and several small stone quarries working, so there are places for potential Freeminers to complete their ‘year and a day’ to qualify for registration. Freemining is learned on the job, through being a 'vern' (trainee/partner) working with a skilled miner.

Freemining future.

The Freeminers' Association were an important part of a successful Heritage Lottery (HLF) bid called the ‘Forester's Forest’, administered by Forestry England, with Freemining being a key part.

Through the HLF, the Association formed a Community Interest Company (Freemining Futures CIC) to support training and provide equipment, helping this ancient custom to continue into the future.

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