What are the Factors which led to the Enclosures in England?

What are the Factors which led to the Enclosures in England?

(i) In the 16th century price of wool increased. This prompted rich farmers to expand wool production to increase profits. For this purpose they were keen to enclose lands.

(ii) To improve sheep breeding and ensure good feed enclosures become necessary. They therefore began to enclose common land and grow hedges around their holdings to keep out the poor.

(iii) These enclosures were usually created by individual efforts and not supported by the state or church.

(iv) While 16th century enclosures were driven by need to increase wool production, those in the 18th century were a result of need to increase grain production.

(v) Rapid expansion of English population, growing industrialisation and urbanisation led to increase in demand and price of grain.

(vi) By end of 18th century England was at war with France. This disrupted import of food grain supplies. As prices increased further, landowners enclosed lands to bring land under cultivation. Landowners pressurised the Parliament to pass Enclosure Acts.

(vii) By 1850, nearly 6 million hectares of land was enclosed and the British Parliament had passed 4,000 Acts legalising these enclosures.