“In all the forests there were a varying number of officers (usually four) elected in the county court, and styled Verderers. Manwood says that they should be ‘gentlemen of good account, ability, and living, and well learned in the laws of the forest.’ Their chief duty was to attend the forest courts; they served gratuitously; and they were immediately responsible to the crown. Possibly they were regarded as a check upon the Warden, as the coroner was upon the sheriff.” 1 William Holdsworth, A History of English Law 96 (7th ed. 1956).
verderer
verderer (v[schwa]r-d[schwa]r-[schwa]r), n. [fr. French verdier “caretaker of green things”] Hist. A judicial officer who, being in charge of the king’s forest, is sworn to preserve the vert (foliage) and venison, to keep the assizes, and to view, receive, and enroll attachments and presentments on matters involving trespass. — Also spelled verderor.
