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England Enclosure Records and Maps (view source)
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The dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530's led to the distribution of these lands to those in the King's favor. This in turn lad to the creation of Tudor estates with mansion houses and surrounding buildings, deer parks, and formal gardens--all informal means of enclosure of lands once held in common. Estate records can contain lists of tenants. | The dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530's led to the distribution of these lands to those in the King's favor. This in turn lad to the creation of Tudor estates with mansion houses and surrounding buildings, deer parks, and formal gardens--all informal means of enclosure of lands once held in common. Estate records can contain lists of tenants. | ||
In 1607, a mob of some 3000 angry men and women tore up new enclosure hedges and fences and filled in ditches. There were called the 'Levellers.' Their protest led to a Royal COmmission enquiry into the high incicence of enclosures in the counties of Berkshire, Buckingham, Huntingdon, Leicester, Lincoln, Northampton, and Warwick. Northamptonshire was the worst with over 27,000 acres informally enclosed in the 30 years prior to 1607, affecting more than 118 towns and villages. | In 1607, a mob of some 3000 angry men and women tore up new enclosure hedges and fences and filled in ditches. There were called the 'Levellers.' Their protest led to a Royal COmmission enquiry into the high incicence of enclosures in the counties of Berkshire, Buckingham, Huntingdon, Leicester, Lincoln, Northampton, and Warwick. Northamptonshire was the worst with over 27,000 acres informally enclosed in the 30 years prior to 1607, affecting more than 118 towns and villages. | ||
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*the consolidation of holdings by enclosing the open fields | *the consolidation of holdings by enclosing the open fields | ||
*enclosing of common lands. | *enclosing of common lands. Common lands were abolished and replaced with assigned allotments of land--strip farming. Strip farming was replaced with fenced fields and common lands further vanished. | ||
Strip farming was replaced with fenced fields and common lands further vanished. | |||
Enclosure by Parliamentary act enabled a landowner to: | Enclosure by Parliamentary act enabled a landowner to: | ||
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*Landowners and usually the vicar would agree to enclose their lands. | *Landowners and usually the vicar would agree to enclose their lands. | ||
*Public notice of intent was posted on the church door or in a local newspaper. | *Public notice of intent was posted on the church door or in a local newspaper. | ||
* | *A meeting would be held, with tenants in attendance, to discuss the issue. Then a petition would be drawn up to request Parliament's permission to submit a Bill for approval. Opposition might result in a counter petition to Parliament. | ||
*The House of Commons received and granted the petition and the Bill was sent to Parliament where it would be enacted. | |||
*From 1798, copies of all Enclosure Acts were sent to the local Clerks of the Peace, and it is these copies that usually appear in the county archive offices. | |||
*Commissioners for Enclosure would be appointed and would hear all complaints, weigh evidence, and pronounce the final awards. There would be lots of compaints. | |||
*Surveyors would draw up plans and maps. | |||
*Enclosure of the land would be carried out. | |||
This process produced a wealth of documentation. | |||