Inclosure

Inclosure refers to the process of dividing and enclosing land, particularly common fields and common grazing land, into individually owned parcels. This was a significant historical process in many parts of the world, most notably in England from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Before inclosure, land was often farmed under an open field system where strips of land were farmed by individuals within larger unenclosed fields. Common land, such as meadows and pastures, was also available for communal use by villagers.

The inclosure movement involved the legal process of consolidating these scattered strips and common lands into compact, privately owned farms. This was often achieved through acts of Parliament or other legal mechanisms. Proponents argued that inclosure led to more efficient and productive farming methods, as individual owners could implement new techniques and invest in their land without the constraints of communal farming practices. It was seen as a way to modernize agriculture and increase food production.

However, inclosure also had significant social consequences. The consolidation of land often dispossessed smallholders and cottagers who relied on access to common land for their livelihoods. This led to increased rural poverty, migration to urban areas, and social unrest. The traditional village community structure was altered or destroyed as common rights were extinguished. The process varied in intensity and impact across different regions and time periods.