Enclosure

An unjust practice in former England that became a public scandal and cause of great social unrest arising from the enclosure by the rich landlords of what was formerly public land—which were set aside for the poor and small holder to grow their own crops—by enclosing them with hedges and made their private properties. The process began in the 14th Cent and continued to be an issue well into the 19th Cent. These enclosured lands were most often turned into pastures for rearing sheep, with one shepherd replacing the former scores of agricultural workers. This led eventually to the depopulation of large parts of the countryside and the further disenfrenchisement of the poor, and became a major political issue in the 19th Cent especially.