Brief History of Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase is a mixed area of countryside in the county of Staffordshire. It contains the towns of Cannock, Hednesfordand Rugeley as well as a sweeping area of forest know as The Chase. Despitethe forest being relatively small in area it contains a wide variety of landscape and wildlife, including a herd of fallow deer and a number of endangered birds. This local fauna and stunning vistas make it an attractive area for tourists and they contributed to it being designated an Area of Natural Beautyin 1958.

The area has a rich and diverse history with burial mounds found that date back to the Bronze Age. During the Iron Age the area came under the dominion of the Cornovii tribe who occupied the surrounding plains and territories (as Britain was a largely tribal society at the time). Evidence of their brutal reign can be found in the various forts dotted around the Chase. It was also around this time that the town of Cannock was founded, with its name being derived from the Celtic word cnoc, meaning "high place". This references the town being perched on an outcrop over the area. When the Romans came they mostly kept the area untouched aside from establishing bath-houses as well as various temples.

The area remained that way until the Saxons arrived and divided the area into several shires. These shires were maintained by the Normans; in fact William the Conqueror used the Saxon Administrative system to record the Domesday entries for Cannock Chase. During this period the Norman kings also began to exploit the area's dense forests by proclaiming it all Royal Forest, allowing the nobility unprecedented access to the vast deer population. Subsequently the area became a huge hunting ground for the nobility with hunts being held every few months up till the Stuart Period.

In the post-medieval period the area began to develop the factors that make it so distinctive today. Of particular note are the 5 beautiful canals that surround the area in a pentagon shape, the first of which began development in 1766. These scenic landmarks were contrasted by the area's thriving iron and coal industry, which fuelled an economic and cultural boom in the early 19th century. At one point there were 52 active coal mines in the Chase region. This juxtaposition of natural wonder and human efficiency is a cornerstone to the area's unique charm. However the last mine in Cannock Chase closed in 1993 and now there is little evidence left of the mining heritage upon which originally cultivated this district.

In modern times The Chase is popular with cross-country mountain bike users. The purpose-built XC 'Follow the Dog' trail is an 11 km (7 mile) technically challenging route that's open to all. Horse riding is another popular activity in the region as well as a Go Ape climbing course that is widely enjoyed. Since 2006 the forest has also been used as an open air music venue, with acts such as The Zutons, The Feeling, Status Quo and Jules Holland playing.

Sources:
www.cannockchasehistory.org.uk