ENCLOSURE

com.aon land converted to the use of a private individual. In England, in the Middle Ages, there was an enormous amount of common land, but gradually much of it was enclosed by the Jords of the manor. By law they could do this, provided they left enough unenclosed for the use of the tenants. In the 18th century by special Acts of Parliament dividing the land between the lord of the manor and the tenants, about 5,000,000 acres were enclosed, and the practice continued until 1845, when commi ioners were appointed and further enclosures were few and small.