English Table of Contents
Written and researched by Margaret Odrowaz-Sypniewska
THE TUDOR DYNASTY:
BRITISH PEERAGE AND LANDED GENTRY:
ANCIENT ROYALS:
ROYALS AND SAINTS:
PEERAGE:
| In the early sixteenth century, in the midland counties, there was the usual practice of the conversion of the lands to pastures for sheep grazing..."Sir John Spencer who had flourished as a grazier on rented property in south-eastern Warwickshire ... [he] purchased Wormleighton, Warwickshire, and Althorp in Northamptonshire" (Heal, 108). Between 1500-1509 and 1590-1599, wool prices tripled. Sheep farming did not need many hired hands, only one or two shepherds were needed. Thus profits were high. The sheep rancher built a few buildings to house the sheep during cold weather and storms. Their land provided much of the food, and the sheep kept the lawns well-trimmed. Their shepherds were given living quarters on the estate or if they preferred worked in shifts from their own homes. One shepherd working nights and one working daytime. On the other hand, profits could be made by land titlers by renting out housing to their tenants with a one and one-half plot of land. These tenants fed their own families and gave the excess to their landlords. In order to get this deal, they were required to sign a long-term lease with low rents as the incentive. Most landowners treated their tenants with compassion, but some let the tenant houses turn to ruins. This would eventually cause civil disturbances. |
