Mitcheldean Road & Forest of Dean Junction Railway extraction industry in the Forest of Dean. The Monmouth and Hereford Railway was incorporated in 1845, but limited in scope by Parliament, and the powers were not exercised. However, in 1851 the "Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway" received its authorising Act of Parliament, and it opened a line on a similar alignment from Hereford to Grange Court on 1 June 1855. The GWR itself built the connecting section from Grange Court to Gloucester, and the South Wales Railway opened its line progressively from Grange Court to Chepstow. The South Wales Railway took over the "Forest of Dean Railway", successor to
Forest of Dean as the best source for building ships. As a result of King Charles I's decision to rule without Parliament, he sought to raise finances through grants of Royal forest lands. of the Forest of Dean was disafforested in the 1620s, causing riots in 1631–32, part of enclosure riots across the South West commonly known as the Western Rising. In 1639, were disafforested, with going to manorial lords and freeholders in compensation. were to go to the Crown, and be sold on to Sir John Winter. Riots ensued in 1641. Winter's claim to the lands was voided by Parliament in March