London quadrupled in population. Many lands that
were in scattered strips, pasture lands, waste lands, and lands
gained from drainage and disafforestation were enclosed for the
introduction of convertible agriculture (e.g. market-oriented
specialization) and only sometimes for sheep. The accompanying
extinguishment of common rights was devastating to small tenants
and cottagers. Gentry and yeomen benefited greatly. There was a
gradual consolidation of the land into fewer hands and demise of
the small family farm. In towns, the mass of poor, unskilled
workers with irregular work grew. Prices finally flattened out in
the 1620s.
Society became polarized with a wealthy few growing wealthier and
a mass of poor growing poorer. This social stratification became a
permanent fixture of English society. Poverty was no longer due to
death of a spouse or parent, sickness or injury, or a phase in the
life cycle such as youth or old age. Many full-time wage earners
were in constant danger of destitution. More subdivided land
holdings in the country made holdings of cottagers miniscule. But
these were eligible for parish relief under the poor laws. Beside
them were substantial numbers of rogues and vagabonds wandering
the roads. These vagrants were usually young unmarried men. There
were no more licensed liveries of lords.
During the time 1580 to 1680, there were distinct social classes
in England which determined dress, convention in comportment which
determined face-to-face contacts between superiors and inferiors,
order of seating in church, place arrangement at tables, and rank
order in public processions.
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