DEAN, FOREST OF, a district in the west of Gloucester shire, England, between the Severn and the Wye. It is oval in form, 20 m. long and Io m. wide, and still retains its true forest character. The surface is undulating, its elevation ranging from 120 to nearly ',coo ft., and its sandy peat soil renders it most suitable for the growth of timber. It has been a royal forest from time immemorial. In the reign of Charles I. the forest contained 105,537 trees, and the king granted it to Sir John Wyntour for f 10,000, and a fee farm rent of £2,000. The grant was cancelled by Cromwell; but at the Restoration only 30,00o trees were left, and Wyntour, having got another grant, destroyed most of these. In 168o an Act was passed to enclose 11,00o acres and plant with oak and beech for supply of the dock yards. Near Coleford and Westbury pit workings of the Roman period have been discovered.