In 1801 a General Enclosure Act made land-grab easier for the grabbers and much harder for anyone else – even modestly prosperous small farmers – to do anything about. Compensation was paid to some people, but money is soon spent, whereas land remains. Enclosure of common land, or peppercorn-rented land, left nowhere for the cottager or terraced-house dweller to keep a few sheep or a cow, or to grow extra crops beyond the garden. Wood could not be gathered freely to heat the home, or for cooking. What had been held in common for all became private property.
