Explain briefly what the open field system meant to rural people in eighteenth-century England. Look at the system from the point of view of : (i) A rich farmer (ii) A labourer (iii) A peasant woman

(i) As the prices of wool increased, rich farmers wanted to

increase its production. Therefore, they began to privatize the

best parts of the common land and open fields for themselves.

This was done to ensure that their sheep would get good

fodder. They also began to drive out poorer farmers, disallowing

them from using common land for grazing.

(ii) For the poor labourers, the common lands were essential for

survival. They used to live with landowners, doing a number of

odd jobs for them in return for board and lodging and a small

pay. However, when the open field system began to disappear,

labourers were paid wages and employed only at harvest time.

This left them at the mercy of rich landowners and farmers.

(iii) For peasant women, the open field system was a good way

of community living wherein everything was shared between

the rich and the poor. They would use the common lands for

grazing their cattle, gathering fruits and collecting firewood.

However, all these activities were negatively affected because of

the disappearance of open fields.