The Amateur Historian Volume 1 Number 6 June July 1953

By Pine, L.G.

pp 166-168

Discussion of the links between royal blood lines and the 'common people'. Pine suggests that very large numbers of people are descended from the various English royal houses, due in no small measure to the many marriages of royal daughters to commoners, and to the extremely numerous illegitimate progeny of members of the royal family over the past nine centuries.

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By Hector, L.C.

pp 174-177

Account of the early 19th century origins of the census and an investigation into the returns for 1841 and 1851. The 1841 census was the first attempt (for which records survive today) to collect data on the individual names, ages, sex, and occupations of the population. The 1851 census, which is usually seen as being the most important of the 19th century, added further detail on family relationships, more accurate figures on age, and precise description of birthplace. The article gives details on where these records might be found (i.e. in 1953).

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By 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.

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By Eaton, V.

pp 182-185

Reference article which briefly describes the significance of saints' days and other church festivals for the dating of documents and then lists the more important of these in alphabetical order of saint's name or feast.

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By Robins, F.W.

pp 187-191

Summary of the main characteristics of the plans of monastic sites. The author describes how, because the layout in many monastic houses followed a standard pattern, it is possible to reconstruct the distribution of different buildings even where they do not survive above ground, and to follow the sequence of rooms and buildings around any given site.