User:Noisy/Inclosure

Inclosure is the term in English law (and subsequently British law) for the removal of commons rights, and distribution of lands for private usage. The ownership of the property is not normally changed; merely the right of commoners to use the land for agriculture (principally grazing) or foraging for wood for fuel. In general, the land remained within the ownership of the manor but was allotted in parcels to tenants.

The process started as early as the 12th century, but only became more structured in the 16th century. The 17th century saw inclosure come under the sway of law, with the institution of local Inclosure Acts with the force of parliament for individual inclosure agreements. Two major pieces of legislation in the 19th century provided a more general framework, rather than relying on individual acts. The Inclosure Consolidation Act 1801 and the General Inclosure Act 1836 created a common method of formalising an inclosure. These were supplemented by the Inclosure Act 1845 and the Inclosure Commissioners Act 1851. The process of inclosure came to an end in 1876.