Enclosures in the nineteenth century

Franklin, T. Bedford

pp 178-181

Study of the last major phase of the enclosure movement, associated with the increases in food production required by the growth in urban populations. Enclosure in the 19th century was a much speedier process than in previous centuries, and it tended to benefit the larger landowners who were much better placed to negotiate the exchange of plots of land to suit their plans to expand production. Smaller landowners often suffered by being given more remote or less viable plots and by losing grazing rights on common land. They were also less able to meet the costs of enclosure. Many therefore lost their freehold land altogether. Agricultural yields did rise, however, as better breeding methods were adopted and the enclosed fields were cultivated more effectively. The example of Shutlanger in Northamptonshire is used to illustrate the process of change.

The Amateur Historian Volume 1 Number 6 June July 1953