The Distribution of Property in English Parliamentary Enclosure : An Example from a Buckinghamshire Parish

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  • イギリス議会エンクロージャーにおける土地分配 : バッキンガムシャー一教区の研究
  • イギリス ギカイ エンクロージャー ニ オケル トチ ブンパイ バッキンガムシ

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Abstract

Since the end of the nineteenth century a number of scholars have given their attention to the study of parliamentary enclosure. Books and Articles were published one after another, among which works of high quality appeared: those of W. HASBACH, E.C.K. GONNER, G.SLATER, A.H.JOHNSON, J.L.& B.HAMMOND, J.D.CHAMBETS. They chiefly dealt with such problems as the process of deliberation of enclosure bill, fairness of enclosure commissioners, cost and its financing, the relation between enclosure and labour supply in the Industrial Revolution. This paper, analysing enclosure documents owned by the Buckinghamshire County Record Office, attempts to clarify how landed property was distributed at enclosure of Weston Turville in Buckinghamshire, 1798-1800. It is a problem previous studies rather neglected. Comparing, especially, the landed property of each proprietor before and after enclosure is the main issue here. On the whole each property reduced by about twenty or thirty per cent after distribution. This is due to the commutation of tithes by enclosure act. Tithes were generally extinguished in exchage for allotments of land. Ecclesiastical estate was enlarged by nearly 300 acres in this parish; the rector became the second biggest landowner in the parish. Some irregular cases, however, are observed. Among about fifty proprietors in the parish, some reduced their property drastically and to some land was not alloted at all. They are thought to have sold a part or whole of their property. Instead, a dozen of new proprietors appeared after enclosure. Great consequence of tithe commutation, as many scholars have pointed out, is confirmed in this parish. How it relates to a tendency to land consolidation, however, we cannot exactly say unless we fruther observe the parish at several points after enclosure.

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