 The last offender dealt with in this severe way was hanged as recently as 1829.The edges of the wood were gradually cleared and felled away in the 16th century and 17th century by farmers.In 1678 Wentwood was the scene of riots led by Nathan Rogers and Edward Kemys against the actions of the Marquis of Worcester, Henry Somerset, who, as Lord Lieutenant of Monmouthshire and Governor of Chepstow Castle, enclosed some of the forest for his own use, and began to fell trees for use in his ironworks at Tintern.