Inclosure Acts (n.):
A series of United Kingdom Acts of Parliament which enclosed open fields and common land in the country.
History:
- Few Inclosure Acts for small properties had been passed since the 12th century, but it was between 1750 and 1860 when the majority of the acts were passed.
- Much larger properties were enclosed during this time period.
- In 1801, the Inclosure Act was passed to "clean up" pervious acts.
- In 1845, another General Inclosure Act was passed so that Inclosure Commissioners could enclose land without seeking Parliament's permission.
Discussion:
- Do you agree with the idea of the Inclosure Acts?
- How do you think society would be different if there was more public/shared space today?
Enclosure (v.):
The action of surrounding or marking off (land) with a fence or boundary; the action of thus converting pieces of common land into private property.
- Modern spelling is "enclosure", but older documents in the United Kingdom and Whales use the term "inclosure"
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