.18-19 Century British Parliamentary Enclosure

This thesis studies English Parliamentary enclosure systematically. The characteristic of it is analyzing established notion to a deeper degree on the basis of western studies. The aim of it is to find out the true history. The thesis is divided into six parts: introduction and five chapters.The introduction looks back the history of the studies of parliamentary enclosure and makes a summary. Then it points out the study scope of the thesis.The first chapter attempt to answer a question, that is, why was there so much parliamentary enclosure between about 1760 and about 1815? It introduces the open field system-the most important farming system during pre-capitalistic times, and points out that the nature of open field system had changed before full-scale parliamentary enclosure. Then it establishes the possible determinants of enclosure. Price, money supply, population, rents and commutation of tithes will all be offered separately or in association with one another as possible determinants.The second chapter introduces the process, method and course of parliamentary enclosure. It thinks parliamentary enclosure is open and legal.The third chapter discusses the opposition encountered by parliamentary enclosure, including the class of opposition and the ways of opposition. It concludes by saying that not only lesser landowner and small landowner but also large landowner is likely to oppose parliamentary. The poorest if the most determined to oppose.The forth chapter compares the parliamentary enclosure with the enclosure took place in fifteenth and sixteenth century. It concludes that the size of parliamentary enclosure in far greater than the former enclosure. The difference is parliamentary enclosure is the re-allotment of land. Whereas the former enclosure is the amalgamation of land.The fifth chapter investigates the influence of parliamentary enclosure. The conclusion is that parliamentary enclosure had effect on the social structure and economic development of England to some extent.