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Common People: A Folk History of Land Rights, Enclosure and Resistance
A stunning book by photographer Leah Gordon and bestselling art author Stephen Ellcock, illustrated with 100 incredible colour images from a diverse range of artists of different eras, exploring the enclosure of common land in England and the struggle over the centuries to regain access.
This book is an ambitious project to trace through diverse artworks the history of the enclosure of common land in England and the stories of those who over the centuries have attempted to resist this. Richly illustrated with Leah Gordon’s photography, it brings together wonderful array of artworks, from renowned fine art imagery to historical satirical work to photography of folk customs past and present.
A timeline of the history of the struggle for access to the land, from the Peasants' Revolt to the Enclosure Acts to the current Right to Roam movement. The stories of rural leaders of resistance such as Gerrard Winstanley, Robert Kett, the Levellers, the Diggers, the Luddites, Queen Mag and Captain Swing, and the peasant poet, John Clare, The links between the histories of the industrial working-class and the peasants.Tales of contemporary conflict around land rights, such as the allotment movement, New Age travellers, the rave scene, the anti-road protests and the Right to Roam campaigns.
Common People offers a re-imagining of English history from below, informing readers about the silenced history of the enclosures and the incredible visual creativity that has been inspired by rural resistance and protest.
This book is an ambitious project to trace through diverse artworks the history of the enclosure of common land in England and the stories of those who over the centuries have attempted to resist this. Richly illustrated with Leah Gordon’s photography, it brings together wonderful array of artworks, from renowned fine art imagery to historical satirical work to photography of folk customs past and present.
A timeline of the history of the struggle for access to the land, from the Peasants' Revolt to the Enclosure Acts to the current Right to Roam movement. The stories of rural leaders of resistance such as Gerrard Winstanley, Robert Kett, the Levellers, the Diggers, the Luddites, Queen Mag and Captain Swing, and the peasant poet, John Clare, The links between the histories of the industrial working-class and the peasants.Tales of contemporary conflict around land rights, such as the allotment movement, New Age travellers, the rave scene, the anti-road protests and the Right to Roam campaigns.
Common People offers a re-imagining of English history from below, informing readers about the silenced history of the enclosures and the incredible visual creativity that has been inspired by rural resistance and protest.
Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 27, 2025
“Over the course of several centuries, acts of law gradually prohibited forms of subsistence hunting by labelling this illegal poaching, made small scale farming economically unviable, redesignated former peasants as wage-enslaved industrial workers and created a tribe of society’s outriders, labelled vagabonds, who were condemned as soon as they existed. In essence, the rich and powerful took away nearly all forms of livelihood from the majority class of peasants, and then immediately criminalized them for their ensuing poverty.”
This is an important book which looks at the history of land rights and enclosure. In 1600 about fifty percent of England was common land. It is now about three percent. This tells the story of that struggle from the point of view of those who lost most. There are over one hundred photos and illustrations and Gordon, who is a photographer (as well as an indie musician from the 80s, and veteran of many protests concerning land and roadbuilding). Gordon and Ellcock look at the history of rebellion against enclosure right up to the present day, covering things as esoteric as the allotment movement.
There is a detailed timeline from 1066, including the 1217 Charter of the Forest which established rights of access to the royal forests. In 1452, 1455 and 1493 there were Papal Bulls establishing the Doctrine of Discovery, setting out legal and religious principles which gave rights to European Christian nations the right to colonize lands outside Europe, stating that any non-Christian landowners could not be legitimate owners. In fact it was their Christian duty to seize the lands and convert any residents. Thus establishing a religious and moral justification for Imperialism, as early as the fifteenth century. These Papal Bulls were not revoked until 2023. Land ownership was an alien concept to many indigenous tribes.
Up to 1597 there was opposition in parliament against enclosure and there were acts in favour of enclosure and against it. 1597 was the date when the last Act was passed against enclosure. The first general (rather than specific) act of enclosure was in 1621. The opposition to enclosure is documented as is the Civil War period rise of groups like The Levellers and the Diggers. The opposition to enclosure in the fens lasted over 160 years.
Enclosure was also made easier by the Reformation. The changes in belief system meant that there were no more holidays for saints days and less days off work. The ruling classes began to see holidays as an excuse for licentiousness in the lower classes.
Enclosure changed the nature of the countryside. One early driver was the wool industry as landowners wanted more land on which to graze their sheep.
Enclosure was vital for the Industrial Revolution because it produced many homeless workers who could move to towns and to where the industry was developing and could live in poor conditions and be paid a pittance. It also helped to create the notion that there was a rural idyll in the past when land was in common. There are obviously problems with this, but it is easy to see where the idea comes from. Enclosure also contributed to a rise in vagabondage which led directly to the Poor laws and later workhouses.
Enclosure is one of the fundamental parts of British history which is too often misunderstood. Leah and Ellcock have done an excellent job here of documenting a basic history. The photographs and illustrations are marvellous. There are also important sections on allotments and the protests of the 1980s and 90s following the effects of Thatcher’s policies.
This is an important book which looks at the history of land rights and enclosure. In 1600 about fifty percent of England was common land. It is now about three percent. This tells the story of that struggle from the point of view of those who lost most. There are over one hundred photos and illustrations and Gordon, who is a photographer (as well as an indie musician from the 80s, and veteran of many protests concerning land and roadbuilding). Gordon and Ellcock look at the history of rebellion against enclosure right up to the present day, covering things as esoteric as the allotment movement.
There is a detailed timeline from 1066, including the 1217 Charter of the Forest which established rights of access to the royal forests. In 1452, 1455 and 1493 there were Papal Bulls establishing the Doctrine of Discovery, setting out legal and religious principles which gave rights to European Christian nations the right to colonize lands outside Europe, stating that any non-Christian landowners could not be legitimate owners. In fact it was their Christian duty to seize the lands and convert any residents. Thus establishing a religious and moral justification for Imperialism, as early as the fifteenth century. These Papal Bulls were not revoked until 2023. Land ownership was an alien concept to many indigenous tribes.
Up to 1597 there was opposition in parliament against enclosure and there were acts in favour of enclosure and against it. 1597 was the date when the last Act was passed against enclosure. The first general (rather than specific) act of enclosure was in 1621. The opposition to enclosure is documented as is the Civil War period rise of groups like The Levellers and the Diggers. The opposition to enclosure in the fens lasted over 160 years.
Enclosure was also made easier by the Reformation. The changes in belief system meant that there were no more holidays for saints days and less days off work. The ruling classes began to see holidays as an excuse for licentiousness in the lower classes.
Enclosure changed the nature of the countryside. One early driver was the wool industry as landowners wanted more land on which to graze their sheep.
Enclosure was vital for the Industrial Revolution because it produced many homeless workers who could move to towns and to where the industry was developing and could live in poor conditions and be paid a pittance. It also helped to create the notion that there was a rural idyll in the past when land was in common. There are obviously problems with this, but it is easy to see where the idea comes from. Enclosure also contributed to a rise in vagabondage which led directly to the Poor laws and later workhouses.
Enclosure is one of the fundamental parts of British history which is too often misunderstood. Leah and Ellcock have done an excellent job here of documenting a basic history. The photographs and illustrations are marvellous. There are also important sections on allotments and the protests of the 1980s and 90s following the effects of Thatcher’s policies.
December 16, 2025
A very good overview of land theft by the powerful and the refusal of ordinary people through physical and cultural activity to resist. A resistance which continues to this day and is growing. An educational read that inspires.
November 30, 2025
I was given the opportunity to read a 2 chapter sampler of this book. I was drawn to it because I grew up in the countryside, my family has a history of working on farms and in forestry. Also I love history, and learning more about social history. The photographs in this book are beautiful, each one has a hand coloured finish making them look from an earlier era.
The book opens with an introduction to Leah Gordon and her background. It then gives a timeline of Land Enclosure which I found really interesting going from pre-Norman Conquest to the Twentieth Century. It documents how peoples rights to the land has diminished over the centuries and how this has affected the working class. The next chapter introduces the reader to the Commoners, a series of photographs of people who still use their rights to the land today. It also gives some historical context to people from that area in the past. The last chapter in the sample covered Enclosed Land and Vanquished Peasants. This goes more in depth to some of the events in the timeline. I knew about some of them, having lived in Norwich for many years I knew of Kett’s Rebellion. I also found the section on poaching very interesting.
This is a book I will definitely buy for myself (it’s on my Christmas List). I’m eager to read on and find out about more prominent rebels and uprisings, rural traditions and allotments. Also, I can’t wait to see more of the beautiful photographs.
Thank you to Watkins Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advance copy sample.
The book opens with an introduction to Leah Gordon and her background. It then gives a timeline of Land Enclosure which I found really interesting going from pre-Norman Conquest to the Twentieth Century. It documents how peoples rights to the land has diminished over the centuries and how this has affected the working class. The next chapter introduces the reader to the Commoners, a series of photographs of people who still use their rights to the land today. It also gives some historical context to people from that area in the past. The last chapter in the sample covered Enclosed Land and Vanquished Peasants. This goes more in depth to some of the events in the timeline. I knew about some of them, having lived in Norwich for many years I knew of Kett’s Rebellion. I also found the section on poaching very interesting.
This is a book I will definitely buy for myself (it’s on my Christmas List). I’m eager to read on and find out about more prominent rebels and uprisings, rural traditions and allotments. Also, I can’t wait to see more of the beautiful photographs.
Thank you to Watkins Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advance copy sample.
October 10, 2025
This is a fascinating book, I only had a couple of sample chapters and the full book is now on my wishlist!
The only slight critisism I have is that it doesn't give a clear idea of where some of the places are, and I had to google to check whereabouts in the UK, but that's a very small issue, and I do have access to checking it myself as I read!
I'm looking forward to getting hold of the full book!
I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.
The only slight critisism I have is that it doesn't give a clear idea of where some of the places are, and I had to google to check whereabouts in the UK, but that's a very small issue, and I do have access to checking it myself as I read!
I'm looking forward to getting hold of the full book!
I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.
October 14, 2025
A fascinated book looking at the history of commoners and the modern day community. The pictures were beautiful and the inking for color gave it a romanticized whimsy to the photographs. I enjoyed the local stories with the photographs.
I had no idea commoners wasn’t just a universal term for anyone with no royal heritage, but it referred to those living on the common lands and what that means.
Thank you Net Galley for this wonderful ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I had no idea commoners wasn’t just a universal term for anyone with no royal heritage, but it referred to those living on the common lands and what that means.
Thank you Net Galley for this wonderful ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 3, 2025
What a fantastic topic and great history. The pictures in the book are amazing and touching. Each picture having its history brought the read back in time. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews