The Benefits of Enclosure

Although the motives of the landowners were selfish, the enclosure movement brought great benefits. More land was brought under cultivation and farming became much more efficient. The new style farmer took advantage of new techniques and new machinery and produced better food and more of it. Having all his land grouped around the farmhouse cut labour costs and the fences kept out intruders.

This increase in production was important in a country where the population was increasing rapidly and where workers were beginning to concentrate in towns.

The Bad Effects of Enclosure

The small landowners found the cost too high and were compelled to sell their land and join the ranks of the agricultural labourers.

The poor people who had owned no land suffered most. They were placed at the mercy of the big landowner and because labour was plentiful they had to work hard for long hours for very low wages.

The poor were denied their rights in the Common and were, therefore, deprived of their main sources of food, the right of gleaning the corn and of catching game.

What could the poor labourer do?

He could move to the town if there was work for him but when he became unemployed, he had to return to his own parish. Under the Settlement Laws a person was the responsibility of the parish where he was settled. He became a prisoner because no other parish would have him.

He could poach. Faced with a starving family what else could he do? Strict laws existed and sentences were heavy, including imprisonment, whipping, hard labour, transportation and even death. He could appeal for help to the parish and the poor law. He could die! and, of course, many did.