Rural Depopulation \%\ 



the rural depopulation, due to the extension 

 of sheep farming, was considered to be a 

 source of political danger. It is said, e.g.^ 

 that the Isle of Wight was entirely taken 

 up by a few large sheep - runs, and that 

 the towns and villages had been let down, 

 and there was no effective force to defend 

 the coast against the French. Accordingly, 

 it was decreed that no one was to rent 

 more than one farm, and the rent was not 

 to exceed ten marks, which, at the old 

 rate of 6d. an acre, would be about 270 

 acres. In 15 17 a Royal Commission was 

 appointed to inquire on the spot as to 

 the area that had been enclosed since 

 1488, as well as the number of ploughs 

 let down, of houses decayed, and other 

 evidences of depopulation. The accounts 

 for many counties survive, and have been 

 carefully examined. 



In 1534 an Act was passed forbidding 



