Abstract

There have been many studies on the assart in medieval Europe, nevertheless few of them made a specialized research relating it with the subsequent enclosure movement. In the 11－12th century, with the establishment of feudal system,Europe entered its first adolescence. The reclamation throughout Europe in the 11－14th century was not only a response to population growth and economic recovery, but also a part of the transition of European rural system. In fact,the increase of the newly reclaimed lands was synchronized with serf emancipation and the rise of emerging towns. The pursuit of free labour and free land by ordinary peasants had become the most profound and lasting impetus of the reclamation. The reclamation had a strong impact on the old field system and made an earlier release of the demand for land property right reform. In this sense, it has become the first sign of the subsequent enclosure movement.

Keyword

Western Europe; Medieval; Assart; Enclosure Movement

Published on Collected Papers of History Studies, Issue 5,2018.