Elsdon : Enclosure

The common land of the township was enclosed in 1731, one of the earliest enclosures authorised by an Act of Parliament. The layout of the enclosed fields surrounding the ancient enclosed lands is shown on the map drawn up in conjunction with the award and is itemised in the attached terrier.

However, if the ever observant Rev. Dodgson is to be believed, it is questionable how significant the immediate impact of this measure was.

The inhabitants are fond of a pastoral life, but have no taste for agriculture. The enclosed lands are only separated by a dry ditch and a low bank of earth. The sheep, as Milton says, at one bound would overleap all bounds. Quicksetts would grow, but people are enemies to hedges, because the sheep would be entangled in them.

Evidently the vast bulk of the recently enclosed ground was given over to pasture, just as before. Moreover the lack of proper fencing meant there was little incentive for landowners to improve their pasture, since such expenditure might simply benefit their neighbours.