* * * * * APPENDIX A. STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF ACTS ENCLOSING WASTE 267 APPENDIX B. PRIVATE ACTS ENCLOSING COMMON FIELDS 268 APPENDIX C. LELAND’S ITINERARY 314 APPENDIX D. GENERAL ACTS AFFECTING ENCLOSURE 322 APPENDIX E. A NORFOLK OPEN FIELD PARISH 331 INDEX 333 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE VIEW OF OPEN FIELD IN EPWORTH, AXHOLME _Frontispiece._ MAPS:-- LAXTON, WEST FIELD, AND PART OF MILL FIELD _To face_ 8 STRATTON MEADOW ″ 25 ENCLOSURE OF COMMON FIELDS BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT ″ 73 LELAND’S ITINERARY ″ 161 EAST MIDLANDS. SECTION I. ″ 196 EAST MIDLANDS. SECTION II. ″ 197 HAMPSHIRE, SURREY, AND SUSSEX ″ 233 PART OF BRAUNTON GREAT FIELD ″ 250 INTRODUCTION. THE ENGLISH PEASANTRY AND THE ENCLOSURE OF COMMON FIELDS. The enclosure of common fields, and the passing away of the English Village Community to make room for the agricultural organisation prevailing to-day, is a subject not merely of historical interest, but one which touches very closely some of the most vital national problems of the twentieth century. During the past five generations mechanical, industrial, and commercial progress, with the consequent creation of great towns and cities, has so occupied the national activities, and has made us to such an extent a nation of town-dwellers, that there has been a tendency to overlook rural life and rural industries. But in recent years social reformers have come to see that the solution of many of the problems of the town is to be found in the country, and increasing attention is being paid to the causes of the rural exodus and the best means by which it can be arrested. No industry can be in a healthy condition which does not provide an opportunity for the small man to improve his position; and consequently such questions as the provision of allotments and small holdings, agricultural co-operation, the preservation of the independence of spirit of the agricultural labourer, and the securing for him the prospect of a continually advancing career on the land are recognised as matters of urgent national importance.