Enclosure
In 1066 William I invaded England and distributed its land among 180 barons. He established a feudal system where these barons held the land as his tenants in chief. Yet he promised to keep the laws of Edward the Confessor for the English people. This promise allowed commoners to exercise their ancient customary rights over the land they occupied. The original contract bound these people to provide some form of service to their lords. Over time this evolved into a financial agreement that avoided or replaced the physical labor. Economic growth and urban expansion followed the introduction of the feudal system. Successful lords did very well financially during the 13th century while peasants faced increasing costs. Their landholdings dwindled under the pressure of rising expenses. Outbreaks of the Black Death in the middle of the 14th century caused a major decline in population and crop yields. The surviving farm workers were in great demand after the plague. Landowners had to raise wages to compete for labor or let lands go unused. Wages for laborers rose and translated into inflation across the economy. These difficulties in hiring labor have been seen as causing the abandonment of land and the demise of the feudal system.
Enclosure could be accomplished through three distinct ways depending on the local context. First there was the creation of closes taken out of larger common fields by their owners. Secondly proprietors acting together usually small farmers or squires led to the enclosure of whole parishes. Finally enclosures occurred by acts of Parliament which became increasingly common from the 1750s onwards. Formal enclosure was achieved either through an act of Parliament or from 1836 onwards via written agreements signed by all parties involved. The written record would usually include a map showing the new boundaries. With informal agreements there was minimal or no written record other than occasionally a map of the agreement. The most straightforward informal enclosure was through unity of possession. Under this arrangement if an individual managed to acquire all the disparate strips of land in an area they consolidated them into one whole piece. Any communal rights ceased to exist since there was no one left to exercise them. Before the enclosures common land was under the control of the manorial lord. The usual manor consisted of two elements: the peasant tenantry and the lord's holding known as the demesne farm. The remaining land was organized into a large number of narrow strips each tenant possessing several disparate strips throughout the manor.
Seeking better financial returns landowners looked for more efficient farming techniques beyond simple fencing. One of the most important innovations was the development of the Norfolk four-course system. This method greatly increased crop and livestock yields by improving soil fertility and reducing fallow periods. Wheat was grown in the first year followed by turnips in the second then barley with clover and ryegrass in the third. The clover and ryegrass were grazed or cut for feed in the fourth year. Turnips were used for feeding cattle and sheep during the winter months. Growing dissimilar types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons helped restore plant nutrients. It also reduced the build-up of pathogens and pests while improving soil structure. Planting crops such as turnips and clover was not realistic under the open field system because unrestricted access meant other villagers' livestock would graze on them. Another feature of the Norfolk system was that it used labor at times when demand was not at peak levels. The very nature of the three-field rotation system imposed discipline on lord and tenants regarding their management of arable land. Every one had freedom to do what they liked with their own land but had to follow the rhythms of the rotation system.
In Tudor England the ever increasing demand for wool had a dramatic effect on the landscape. Attraction of large profits from wool encouraged manorial lords to enclose common land and convert it to sheep pasture. The consequent eviction of commoners became an important political issue for the Tudors. Authorities were concerned that many dispossessed people would become vagabonds and thieves. From the time of Henry VII Parliament began passing acts either to stop enclosure or limit its effects. The so-called tillage acts were passed between 1489 and 1597. People responsible for enforcement were often those actually opposed to the acts. Consequently the acts were not strictly enforced until market forces intervened. An increase in corn prices during the second half of the 16th century made arable farming more attractive. Between 1604 and 1914 there were more than 5,200 inclosure bills which amounted to approximately one fifth of the total area of England. The Inclosure Act 1773 created law enabling enclosure while removing the right of commoners' access. Although there was usually compensation it was often in the form of smaller and poorer quality plots of land. Commissioners of inclosure were appointed to oversee the statutory process weighted in favor of the tithe owner.
During the 19th and early 20th century historians generally had sympathy for cottagers who rented dwellings from manorial lords. John and Barbara Hammond said enclosure was fatal to three classes: the small farmer the cottager and the squatter. Marxist historians such as Barrington Moore Jr focused on enclosure as part of class conflict that eliminated the English peasantry. They saw the emergence of the bourgeoisie following the English Civil War which provided basis for acceleration of enclosures. In contrast J.D. Chambers and G.E. Mingay suggested Hammonds exaggerated costs when reality meant more food for growing population. Data showed more land under cultivation and on balance more employment in the countryside after enclosure. Rises in rents immediately after enclosure between 1765 and 1805 varied significantly across villages. Elford in Staffordshire trebled its rent after 1765 while Lidlington in Bedfordshire rose by 83 percent. D. McCloskey examined available contemporary data and concluded difference in efficiency between open field system and enclosure is not so plain. M.E.Turner's paper found mean yield per acre for wheat reached 22.8 bushels in enclosed parishes compared to 18.5 in open fields.
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Common questions
When did William I invade England and establish the feudal system?
William I invaded England in 1066 and distributed its land among 180 barons. He established a feudal system where these barons held the land as his tenants in chief.
What were the three distinct ways enclosure could be accomplished in England?
Enclosure was accomplished through the creation of closes taken out of larger common fields, proprietors acting together to enclose whole parishes, or acts of Parliament which became increasingly common from the 1750s onwards. Formal enclosure was achieved either through an act of Parliament or from 1836 onwards via written agreements signed by all parties involved.
Why did manorial lords in Tudor England convert common land to sheep pasture?
Manorial lords converted common land to sheep pasture because the ever increasing demand for wool offered large profits. This conversion led to the eviction of commoners and became an important political issue for the Tudors.
Who led the Midland Revolt against enclosures in May and June 1607?
The Midland Revolt was led by John Reynolds otherwise known as Captain Pouch who originated from Desborough Northamptonshire. He told protesters he had authority from the King and Lord of Heaven to destroy enclosures.
How many inclosure bills existed between 1604 and 1914 in England?
Between 1604 and 1914 there were more than 5,200 inclosure bills which amounted to approximately one fifth of the total area of England. The Inclosure Act 1773 created law enabling enclosure while removing the right of commoners access.