What were enclosures?

Enclosures were the process of consolidating small landholdings into larger farms in England, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. This transformation often involved the Fencing off of common lands, which had previously been accessible to local communities for grazing and farming. Enclosures aimed to increase agricultural efficiency and productivity but also led to the displacement of many small farmers and rural laborers, contributing to urban migration and social change during the Industrial Revolution.