xiv CONTENTS 



CHAPTER IV 



PAGE 



THE GROWTH OF FREEDOM . . . -49 



The great national events: (i) wars, (2) plagues, and (3) 

 agitations Changes in manorial life The Black Death and the 

 land and labour difficulties The thirty years' struggle The 

 Peasant Revolt Results of the revolt Mediaeval village life 



PART II 

 THE RECONSTRUCTION OF RURAL LIFE 



CHAPTER V 

 CIVILIZATION AND ITS EFFECT ON RURAL LIFE . . 66 



The intrusion of commerce Personal freedom Tenants by 

 custom replaced by leaseholders Landless labourers En- 

 closures, and the 'new agriculture' The Church Local and 

 central government New people and new features 



CHAPTER VI 



FROM THE PEASANT REVOLT TO THE DAYS OF THE 



STUARTS . . . . . -?2 



Changes that followed the revolt Prosperity and disorder in 

 the XVth century Enclosures Convertible farming Growth 

 of wool trade and agriculture Prosperity and the social life 

 New interests and sheep farming Parliament and sheep 

 farming The peasants' action Suppression of monasteries 

 The raising of the standard of life Government Roads 

 The Church, the gilds and poverty 



CHAPTER VII 

 COUNTRY LIFE IN THE TIME OF THE STUARTS . . 95 



Continuation of gradual change The Civil War Puritanism 

 and social life Enclosures Sport and game Poverty and 

 'settlements' Travellers and the roads The Church and 

 Nonconformity General character of the changes 



