The English Village Explained: Britain’s Living History by Trevor Yorke Read Free Book Online Page A

century.

    FIG 4.9 CHENIES, BUCKS: Most chapels built for Nonconformist worshippers in the simple, symmetrical-fronted buildings like this example, with a large open space and gallery within .
    Partly due to social and economic changes but also because of the void left by the dissolved monasteries, hospitals and chantries, the role of the parish was to change in this period, as it was chosen to take on secular duties, in addition to its ecclesiastical ones. From 1538 each parish had to record its baptisms, marriages and burials in a register. In 1555 the Highways Act made parishes responsible for the maintenance of roads, while the 1601 Poor Laws put the raising and distribution of poor relief in their hands. New, unpaid officials were elected from the parish to administer these duties, including a constable who would report regularly on matters of crime and disorder, and the churchwarden who was responsible for church maintenance and the welfare of the parishioners. In addition to this, the collection of local, county and national taxes fell upon their shoulders.
The villagers
    In this period there was a widening gap between the various classes of society. With the end of the feudal system, landowners who previously had contact with members of the community through the organising of the agricultural calendar now had little need to communicate with the majority of them, as the land was leased or had been sold off. The ruling class ranged from dukes, lords and baronets (increasingly ones who had climbed in rank rather than being members of the old aristocratic families), down to the lesser gentlemen and squires, with their standing being judged mainly on the quantity of land they owned. Increasingly, however, a good education, appreciation of science and farming and an understanding of the arts became a sign of good breeding. Many 18th-century gentlemen spent their early years abroad on grand tours which took in Paris and Rome, to study Classical art and architecture and more often than not brought half of it back with them! Their new country houses were often built to house these new acquisitions.
    Further down the social order were the lesser landowners or freeholders who in addition to managing their farms would also fill the positions of the various parish officials. In areas affected by enclosure though, some would find it hard to pay for new buildings, hedging, fencing and legal expenses, so they might sell up and become tenants or use their capital to move into other trades. Generally this yeoman class diminished from the 17th century and the farmer, renting a new enclosed farm, became dominant in the middle order of the village.
    At the bottom of the pile were the cottagers, landless labourers and domestic servants who in the 18th century still made up the majority of villagers. Despite the improving living conditions and levels of education for some, this group still tended to live in primitive accommodation and were widely superstitious, illiterate and more influenced by folklore than the word ofthe vicar. Many men would be employed on a seasonal basis at the local hiring fairs, while the women and children would gain additional funds from grazing livestock, domestic work, or carrying out a local craft.

    FIG 4.10 TATTERSHALL, LINCS: Almshouses were originally provided here by Lord Cromwell as part of his complex of castle, church and college. These brick buildings were later replacements dating from the early 17th century and are typical of many found in villages, having a single-storey, matching doors and being set in a row or around a courtyard .
    The parish poor rates introduced in 1601 were designed to help those of this class unable to support themselves, but as their numbers multiplied through this period there were various alterations to the system and grumblings rose amongst ratepayers about the cost to themselves. While the enclosures deprived these poorer villagers of land for grazing, those who had not