local history

King John’s Hunting Park

Toxteth Park was once an enclosed hunting forest teeming with game and other wildlife, closely linked to the foundation of Liverpool.

Unlike Liverpool, Toxteth was recorded in the Doomsday Book – so named because it was regarded as a final authority. Made by order of William I, it was a comprehensive record of the extent, value, ownership and liabilities of land in England. King John granted Liverpool’s first charter in 1207, resulting in the construction of a castle and port facilities.

We assume the monarch visited the area because he acquired forested land around the newly-established town. It was probably already used for hunting but John had Toxteth Park fenced off for his exclusive enjoyment. Hunting played a big part in the lives of the monarchy and aristocracy, who spent long hours in the saddle pursuing game such as deer and wild boar. Only the wealthy could afford to hunt in style. In John’s time, Toxteth Park boasted a master huntsman assisted by 49 men, 10 horses, two packs of dogs, 52 spaniels and 2,000 hand nets.

Following John’s death, the park fell out of favour for field sports – no other royal is thought to have visited. Henry III dismantled many hunting forests but Toxteth Park remained enclosed and presumably still used for permitted hunting. Royal warrants were required for removing timber for building. The royal park was disafforested – reduced from the legal status of forest to ordinary land - by newly-crowned James I in 1604. The district was then acquired by members of the aristocracy, merchants and others.