Patterns of parliamentary enclosure of waste in Cumbria: a case study from north Westmorland

ABSTRACT

Compared with the amount of research on the enclosure of open field arable, research on the parliamentary enclosure landscapes of upland waste in northern England has been neglected. Using a case study from north Westmorland, this article examines the chronology and geography of parliamentary enclosure, identifying and explaining the main periods of activity, and the resulting landscapes, as well as looking at the differing experience of neighbouring communities. The significance of private enclosure is emphasised, together with the influence of pre-enclosure features in shaping the patterns of later landscape development

KEYWORDS:

• Cumbria
• parliamentary enclosure
• Westmorland