Legal Definitions - bow-bearer

A bow-bearer was a historical officer, primarily found in medieval England, whose specific role was to enforce the laws within the king's designated forests. These individuals were tasked with patrolling these royal lands to prevent and apprehend anyone who illegally entered, hunted game without permission (poaching), or cut down trees or gathered resources without authorization (trespassing).

• Imagine a commoner in the 12th century, struggling to feed his family, who ventures into the royal forest to set snares for deer. A vigilant bow-bearer, during his regular patrol, discovers the poacher in the act. The bow-bearer's duty would be to apprehend this individual, demonstrating his responsibility for protecting the king's game and enforcing forest laws.

• Consider a scenario where a local villager, needing timber to repair his home, decides to fell a few trees from the king's forest without obtaining a royal license. A bow-bearer, noticing fresh axe marks and the sound of woodcutting, would investigate. Upon finding the villager, the bow-bearer would be authorized to arrest him for trespassing and illegally taking royal resources.

• During the 14th century, a group of merchants attempts to take a shortcut through a restricted section of the king's forest to avoid a longer, more dangerous road. Even though they have no intention of hunting or stealing, their unauthorized presence in the royal domain constitutes a trespass. A watchful bow-bearer encountering these merchants would have the authority to detain them and escort them out, or even bring them before a forest court for violating the king's forest laws.