The Hundred of St. Briavels includes the Forest of Dean in its legal sense, with the addition of the surrounding parishes of Hewelsfield, St. Briavels, Newland, Staunton, English Bicknor, Ruardean, Mitcheldean, Abinghall, Flaxley, Little Dean, parts of Westbury-on-Severn, Lea, manor of Rodley, a small detached area of Newnham-on-Severn, the district called Hinder’s Lane and Dockham. Several of these were within the boundary of the Forest in the time of Edward I, but were excluded subsequently as the forested area contracted. Staunton is now once again within the Forest (Potts is writing in 1949 – EB), the surrounding woodland known as High Meadow Woods having been acquired by the Crown in 1817 and henceforth considered as part of the Forest, though not continuous with the main tract.
The above text is from:
“Roaming Down the Wye”
By W.H. Potts
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, 1949
Boz's Gaff 