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In English history, the 18th century was a period of great change in agriculture, industry and society. A change that was related to these is the Enclosure Movement that transformed the agricultural production, the farming systems, and the wool and cloth production. This paper aims at assessing the effects of enclosure and how it affected the quality of wool and cloths which were an important part of England’s economy and society.
Enclosure was the process of dividing open fields and common land into small pieces of land which were fenced. Most of England’s farmland was managed cooperatively, where people had permission to cultivate or graze their animals in publicly owned fields. Landowners began to enclose land starting from the end of the 17th century and the process gained momentum in the 18th century. These changes, although raised the level of production, affected negatively the rural way of life and brought about other challenges to the wool production.
It enabled landowners to engage in better controlled and directed sheep farming. As a result of better pasture management, some areas such as the South could concentrate on improving the quality of sheep rearing for production of softer and finer wools. It was during this time that Southdown and Leicester Longwool sheep were improved and produced strong and homogeneous wool that was in high demand by textile manufacturers. Nonetheless, in Yorkshire, the quality of wool was poorer because enclosure promoted more production than the previous systems that produced softer and better quality wool.
Before the enclosure system, some small holders and cottagers raised sheep on the open range and contributed to the national wool supply. But when the land was enclosed, they were denied the right to graze their livestock, and hence, they were unable to produce good wool. This means that wool production became a preserve of bigger landlords, and in some cases, they gave priority to quantity over quality, especially in areas such as Yorkshire where production was high and the quality of wool was poorer.
As a result of enclosure, it was possible to establish bigger and more effectively run flocks. Since the grazing area was well defined, sheep were better fed, and in some areas healthier, and therefore produced better quality wool. But in Yorkshire, with the extensive enclosure, the sheep had limited choice of diet and were over density stocked, which led to poor quality wool that was not well suited for high quality fabrics.
With higher quality wool produced in certain areas, English cloth makers were in a position to create higher quality textiles. This led to an increase in the manufacture of higher grade products like worsted wool which is less hairy and stronger. However, in Yorkshire, due to enclosure, the quality of wool was poor and therefore the textile industry produced coarser fabrics which had low appeal to the high end market.
As a result of enclosure, more people turned to agriculture as a business, thus leading to the movement of labor force to the cities and setting up of textile mills. This shift was very essential in the Industrial Revolution when spinning and weaving industries required high standard wool for better production and quality. Nevertheless, in Yorkshire, the deterioration in wool quality was problematic for weavers and manufacturers who had to work with lower quality fibers.
Paul Rushworth-Brown is the author of three novels:
Skulduggery- The bleak Pennine moors of Yorkshire; a beautiful, harsh place, close to the sky, rugged and rough, no boundaries except the horizon, which in places, went on forever. Green pastures and wayward hills, the colours of ochre, brown and pink in the Spring. Green squares divided the land on one side of the lane, and on the other; sheep with thick wool and dark snouts dotted the hills and dales. The story, set on the Moors of West Yorkshire, follows wee Thomas and his family shortly after losing his father to consumption. Times were tough in 1603 and there were shenanigans and skulduggery committed by locals and outsiders alike. Queen Bess has died, and King James sits on the throne of England and Scotland. Thomas Rushworth is now the man of the house being the older of two boys. He is set to wed Agnes in an arranged marriage, but a true love story develops between them.
"Skulduggery, a different treat for lovers of historical fiction, an exciting and mysterious romp through the moors of 17th century Yorkshire, more specifically Haworth and Keighley. The story is a well-painted image of how 'copyholders' or peasants would have lived at this time but that is only the backdrop to a suspenseful whodunit with romantic tones. Modern writers usually don't know what it was like to live in the past but Rushworth-Brown has done this with great skill in this accomplished, atmospheric and thoughtful novel."
Red Winter Journey - Come on this historic journey, which twists, turns and surprises until the very end. If you like history, adventure and intrigue with a dash of spirited love, then you will be engrossed by this tale of a peasant family unexpectedly getting caught up in the ravages of the English Civil War in 1642.
Reviewed in Australia on 17 October 2022
Paul Rushworth-Brown’s Red Winter Journey is the story of a family surviving in the time of the English Civil War; however, the story goes much deeper than that and focuses on the love of a father for his son and his plight to rescue him. I usually do not like tales of war, but Rushworth-Brown has captured the essence of humanity with love, romance, fear and mystery in this engaging family saga. The twists and turns really threw me and, the ending? Mmmmm interesting.
The much anticipated story of the Rushworth family and their journey out of poverty takes place against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in English history. The execution of King Charles and the establishment of a Republic under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell set the stage for a time of great uncertainty and change. As the Rushworth family navigates their way through these turbulent times, they find themselves caught up in a world filled with intrigue and danger. Amidst the political upheaval, a cast of colorful characters emerges to tell the tale. Highwaymen roam the countryside, preying on unsuspecting travelers and adding an element of danger to the story. Thief-takers, tasked with tracking down criminals, operate in the shadows, their motives and allegiances often unclear. Pirates ply their trade on the high seas, their exploits adding a sense of adventure to the narrative. And wool broggers, dealing in the valuable commodity of wool, provide a glimpse into the economic underpinnings of the era. As the Rushworth family grapples with their own struggles and aspirations, they must also contend with the larger forces at play in this mysterious and bone-chilling historical thriller. The stakes are high, the risks are great, and the outcome is far from certain. Will they be able to rise above their circumstances and forge a new path for themselves in this ever-changing world? Only time will tell in this gripping tale of intrigue and suspense.
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