Wildbannforst
A Wildbann ("wildlife ban") in the
The forest referred to in a Wildbann was called a Wildbannforst ("wildlife ban forest") or Bannforst ("ban forest"). Originally only the king had the right to hunt in a wildbann. Hunting rights were also delegated to others for a fee. They had to pay the so-called wildgeld ("wildlife money").
Before the 9th century, royal forests were known as forestes [singular: forestis]. A forestis was a legally recognised region that could be used by the king. This right included the use of forest produce (such as timber), hunting,
As a result of the increasing importance of hunting during the 9th century, the designation of these areas changed from forestis to wildbann. The wildbann was a hunting area under the king's
In the 15th century the word wildbann was replaced by the term Forst ("forest"). A Forst was an area over which "forest sovereignty" (Forsthoheit) was exercised.
To protect such a forest and its wildlife, several so-called Wildhuben ("wildlife hides", probably forester's huts) were established. These were lived in by foresters.
The management of a wildbann lay in the hands of a
See also
Literature
- Richard B. Hilf: Der Wald. Wald und Weidwerk in Geschichte und Gegenwart - Erster Teil [Reprint]. Aula, Wiebelsheim, 2003, ISBN 3-494-01331-4
- Hans Hausrath: Geschichte des deutschen Waldbaus. Von seinen Anfängen bis 1850. Series by the Institute for Forest and Regional Administration of the University of Freiburg. Hochschulverlag, Freiburg im Breisgau, 1982, ISBN 3-8107-6803-0