156 ENGLISH FIELD SYSTEMS 



eight-field townships to avail themselves of the opportunity to 

 enclose their open fields by act of parliament. Behind all the 

 differences, however, which in course of time manifested them- 

 selves within the two- and three-field area was the unity of origin 

 and character that marked off the midlands from the other parts 

 of England which are now to be considered. 



