Editing Enclosure (section)

===The end of the open-field system===
Seeking better financial returns, landowners looked for more efficient farming techniques.{{sfn|Motamed|Florax|Masters|2014|pages=339–368}}  They saw enclosure as a way to improve efficiency,{{efn|Efficiency meant improvements in per unit acre yields and in total parish output.{{sfn|Turner|1986|pages=669–692}}}} however it was not simply the fencing of existing holdings; there was also a fundamental change in agricultural practice.{{sfn|Friar|2004|pages=144–146}} One of the most important innovations was the development of the [[Norfolk four-course system]], which greatly increased crop and livestock yields by improving soil fertility and reducing [[fallow]] periods. Wheat was grown in the first year, turnips in the second, followed by barley, with clover and ryegrass in the third. The clover and ryegrass were grazed or cut for feed in the fourth year. The turnips were used for feeding cattle and sheep in the winter.{{sfn|Overton|1996|page=1}} The [[crop rotation|practice of growing a series of dissimilar types of crops]] in the same area in sequential seasons helped to restore plant nutrients and reduce the build-up of pathogens and pests. The system also improves soil structure and fertility by alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants. For example, turnips can recover nutrients from deep under the soil. Planting crops such as turnips and clover was not realistic under the open field system{{efn|M. E. Turner disagreed with this point of view. He posited that with a certain amount of organisation, turnips were grown in the open field system and were only grown marginally more under enclosure.{{sfn|Turner|1986|pages=669–692}}}} because the unrestricted access to the field meant that other villagers' livestock would graze on the turnips. Another important feature of the Norfolk system was that it used labour at times when demand was not at peak levels.{{sfn|Overton|1996|pages=117 and 167}}

From as early as the 12th&nbsp;century, some open fields in Britain were being enclosed into individually owned fields. After the [[Statute of Merton]] in 1235 manorial lords were able to reorganize strips of land such that they were brought together in one contiguous block.{{efn|Land owned by an individual, rather than in common, was known as [[wiktionary:several|Severals]]{{sfn|Friar|2004|p=390}}}}{{sfn|Friar|2004|pages=144–146}}

Copyholders{{efn|name=copyholder}} had a "customary tenancy"{{efn|name=ct1|The lord of the manor has the [[Freehold (law)|freehold]] to all the land of the estate. A "customary tenancy" is parcel of land, from the estate, held at the will of the lord according to the custom of the manor. A "copyhold tenancy" was a "customary tenancy" held by the copyholder. The [[manorial court]] was responsible for dealing with these tenancies.{{sfn|Chisolm|1911}}}} on their piece of land that was legally enforceable. The problem was that a "copyhold tenancy"{{efn|name=ct1}} was only valid for the holder's life. The heir would not have the right to inheritance although usually by custom, in exchange for a fee (known as a fine), the heir could have the copyhold transferred.{{sfn|Hoyle|1990|pages=1–20}} To remove their customary rights, the landlords converted the copyhold into a leasehold tenancy. Leasehold removed the customary rights but the advantage to the tenant was that the land could be inherited.{{sfn|Hoyle|1990|pages=1–20}}

<span class="anchor" id="Tudor enclosures"></span>
There was a significant rise in enclosure during the [[Tudor period]]. Enclosure was quite often undertaken unilaterally by the landowner, sometimes illegally.{{sfn|Friar|2004|pages=144–146}}{{sfn|Beresford|1998|p=28}} The widespread eviction of people from their lands resulted in the collapse of the open field system in those areas. The deprivations of the displaced workers has been seen by historians as a cause of subsequent social unrest.{{sfn|Friar|2004|pages=144–146}}