- emparking
- black death
- monastic depop.
- coastal erosion
- flooding
- military use
- open cast mining
- reason unknown
Name: Barcote
Parish: Littleworth
Reason for desertion: Enclosure
Period of desertion: 1450-1700
Extant: Manor House
Domesday Entry: Lierecote: Alfsi of Faringdon from the king
A note on Enclosures
Throughout most of the Middle Ages, labour was plentiful and cheap, but after the Black Death, labour became in short supply. This improved the bargaining position of labourers, who demanded better pay and conditions from landowners.
In response, many landowners discovered that the rearing of sheep for wool, was far more profitable than rent from tenants. Common land was then enclosed – a flock of sheep only needed a handful of shepherds to look after them, and villagers who were no longer required were evicted from the lands.
The process of enclosures flourished throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, and led to many thousands of villages being deserted. This led to poverty and homelessness amongst rural dwellers, and gave rise to mass revolts in 1536, 1569, and 1607. Most notoriously, the Highland Clearances in northern Scotland led to significant depopulation.
Source: http://www.berkshirehistory.com/villages/dmv.html
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