Question

In which of the following ways was the life of poor peasants affected by the Enclosure Movement?

• A. The land of the cultivator was taken over by the landlord
• B. The poor peasants were deprived of the common land where they could graze their cattle and collect firewood
• C. Fences around lands prohibited easy movement between lands
• D. The landlords did not hire peasants any more
• E. None of these

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The poor peasants were deprived of the common land where they could graze their cattle and collect firewood

With the expansion of enclosures, the poor could no longer have access to the commons. They could not collect firewood or graze their cattle, or collect apples or hunt small animals for meat. The poor were displaced from the land. Most of the poor from the Midlands were forced to move to southern counties in search of livelihood. The southern part was most intensely cultivated and hence there was a great demand for agricultural labourers.