In some parts of England, the economy of open fields and common lands started changing from about the sixteenth century”. Why?
It was during the sixteenth century that the price of wool in the world market increased. To earn more profits, rich farmers sought to expand wool production by improving sheep breeds and providing good feed. For this, a large block of land was required. This made them divide and enclose common land. Villagers having cottages were displaced and prevented from entering the enclosed fields. Later in the mid-eighteenth century, increased demand for the food grains encouraged the farmers to expand cultivation. It led to large scale enclosing of the common lands.
