In the early 1700s, three-fourths of England's population lived in the country. No one "owned" the land; it was held in common, or shared. The Enclosure movement began in the beginning of 1500s, by which wealthy individuals, often aristocrats, petitioned the Parliament in London to grant them exclusive title (ownership) to land previously held in common, that is, land with no specific owner.

This movement gained momentum after 1760s to 1850s. After title to the land was granted, the new owners typically built fences around their property and started grazing sheep, which generated a steady supply of wool for England's textile (cloth) manufacturers.

The enclosure movement