Preenclosure refers to the historical period before the Enclosure Acts in England, which took place between the 16th and 19th centuries. The term specifically describes the period prior to the enclosure movement, which involved the division and privatization of common lands previously held in common by villagers.
During preenclosure, land in England was typically held collectively as part of the open-field system, where small plots of land were managed communally by the villagers. These lands were utilized for agriculture, primarily for the cultivation of crops and grazing of livestock. However, there was a gradual shift towards enclosing land through legal, social, or economic means, as landowners sought to consolidate their holdings and increase agricultural productivity.
Preenclosure was characterized by a lack of significant restrictions on land usage, as the open fields were divided into strips that were cultivated by individual farmers. Livestock would often roam freely across the common land, with villagers sharing rights to the land for grazing purposes.
The preenclosure period represents a stage in history where land use was more communal, allowing for a degree of flexibility and collective responsibility. However, the subsequent enclosure movement transformed this system, as the land was divided into smaller, privately owned plots, leading to increased agricultural efficiency but also the displacement of many rural communities and villagers who relied on common lands for their livelihoods.
