Local folklore asserted that this was punishment for the crimes committed by William when he created his New Forest ; a 17th-century writer provides exquisite detail : `` In this County [ Hantshire ] is New-Forest , formerly called Ytene , being about 30 miles in compass ; in which said tract William the Conqueror ( for the making of the said Forest a harbour for Wild-beasts for his Game ) caused 36 Parish Churches , with all the Houses thereto belonging , to be pulled down , and the poor Inhabitants left succourless of house or home .
Local folklore asserted that this was punishment for the crimes committed by William when he created his New Forest ; a 17th-century writer provides detail : `` William the Conqueror ( for the making of the said Forest a harbour for Wild-beasts for his Game ) caused 36 Parish Churches , with all the Houses thereto belonging , to be pulled down , and the poor Inhabitants left succourless of house or home .