Part Ii: 1485-1660

SECTION I

RURAL CONDITIONS

1. Villeinage in the Reign of Elizabeth, 1561 231

2. Customs of the Manor of High Furness, 1576 232

3. Petition in Chancery for Restoration to a Copyhold, c. 1550 234

4. Petition in Chancery for Protection against Breach of Manorial Customs, 1568 241

5. Lease of the manor of Ablode to a Farmer, 1516 245

6. Lease of the Manor of South Newton to a Farmer, 1568 246

7. The Agrarian Programme of the Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536 247

8. The Demands of the Rebels led by Ket, 1549 247

9. Petition to Court of Requests from Tenants Ruined by Transference of a Monastic Estate to lay hands, 1553 251

10. Petition to Court of Requests to stay Proceedings against Tenants Pending the Hearing of their Case by the Council of the North, 1576 254

11. Petition from Freeholders of Wootton Bassett for Restoration of Rights of Common, temp. Charles I 255

12. Petition to Crown of Copyholders of North Wheatley, 1629 258

13. An Act Avoiding Pulling Down of Towns, 1515 260

14. The Commission of Enquiry Touching Enclosures, 1517 262

15. An Act Concerning Farms and Sheep, 1533 264

16. Intervention of Privy Council under Somerset to Protect Tenants, 1549 266

17. An Act for the Maintenance of Husbandry and Tillage, 1597 268

18. Speech in House of Commons on Enclosures, 1597 270

19. Speeches in House of Commons on Enclosures, 1601 274

20. Return to Privy Council of Enclosers furnished by Justices of Lincolnshire, 1637 275

21. Complaint of Laud's Action on the Commission for Depopulation, 1641 276