Then, in 1808, Parliament directed that large areas of the Forest be enclosed, in order to satisfy an increased demand for naval timber.

Unable to compete with the outside industrialists, and denied their ancient rights to collect timber or graze animals in the enclosed areas, many Foresters descended into abject poverty.

In 1831 he led a group of up to 3000 Foresters in open revolt against the Crown, tearing down around 60 miles of fencing in an attempt to retake possession of the enclosures.

His actions have inspired many other campaigns over the years and he remains one of the most significant figures in Forest of Dean history.

[2] A map dated 1787[3] shows the family house as being on the southern edge of Parkend, and describes it as a 'Turf' cottage, built on encroached land, and valued by the Crown at 15 shillings per year.

The younger James appears to have had no formal education, although later documents show that he could read and write as an adult.

The Forest of Dean is home to a range of natural resources, primarily timber, coal and iron ore.

The Free Miners found it difficult to compete with these and often ended up working as waged labourers for the new owners.

In 1808, Parliament passed the Dean and New Forests Act 1808 in response to a severe shortage of naval timber.

Responsibility for the execution of this part of the Act fell to a young, newly appointed deputy surveyor named Edward Machen.

Unrest was growing, but at first there was no organised resistance as the foresters had been told that the fences would be removed after 20 years, once the oaks were mature enough to withstand grazing.

A petition from James, opposing the commission's parliamentary bill, was presented to the House of Commons on 11 June 1830, but foundered.

[4] After further efforts to have the fences removed failed, James finally called the Free Miners to action.

A notice, dated 3 June 1831, was distributed and instructed Free Miners to meet on the following Wednesday "for the purpose of opening the Forest".

After listening to several more witnesses, the jury found James guilty of felony under the Riot Act, but made a plea for clemency on the grounds of his previous good character.

The judge, Mr Justice Patteson, sentenced James to death, but within two weeks this was commuted to transportation for life.

Then on 24 February 1836, he was sentenced to thirty six lashes and sent to work in a coal mine near Port Arthur, for 'gross contempt towards the commandant when addressing the prisoners'.