Shropshire Routes to Roots

4.Enclosure of open fields systems and commons

Although there is evidence to show that open-fields began to be enclosed during the 14th and 15th centuries, it was from the early 17th century that enclosure became more evident. Much of the early enclosure is known as 'Piecemeal Enclosure' as it was the gradual gathering together of strips in the open-fields into larger units and eventually enclosing them with a fence or hedge. Enclosure in England during the 18th century was mostly by Act of Parliament, for example the enclosure of the open fields in Shifnal.

Enclosure Act for Shifnal, 1793 [Shropshire Archive reference: 539/1/5/3]

However the cost of obtaining an act of Parliament was expensive and some enclosure was undertaken by private agreement of the land-owners and occupiers especially after the passing of the General Enclosure Act of 1801 and the Enclosure by Consent Act of 1836.

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