CONTENTS 



i 



ENGLAND AND FRANCE COMPARED. INFLUENCE OF 

 LAND LAWS 



PAGE 



Remarkable contrast between the number of landowners in 

 England and France. The influence of English Law of Primo- 

 geniture and Entails much exaggerated. Direct and indirect 

 effects of these Laws discussed. Custom more potent than 

 Legislation 7 



II 

 THE GREAT PLAGUE AND ITS RESULTS - 



Its effects often exaggerated. Discussion as to its temporary 

 and permanent effects. The final solvent of the Manorial 

 Economy to be found in the agricultural and industrial 

 changes of the fifteenth century. Character and results of 

 these changes discussed. Their influence on the small free- 

 holdei', the villein or copyholder. Evidence of manorial rolls . 17 



III 



THE ENCLOSURES OF THE FIFTEENTH, SIXTEENTH, 

 AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES 5 



(1) Their extent. (2) The grievances of enclosure discussed. 

 How far exaggerated by contemporaries. Their influence on 

 the landowning classes, large and small, freeholders, copy- 

 holders, and others. How far the copyholder had legal 

 protection in his holding. How far Eviction was resorted to. 

 The struggle over copyholds of inheritance, copyholds for 

 lives and leases for lives, and the question of fines. Final 

 conclusion as to the effect, direct and indirect, of enclosures . 



