[296] Topographer and Genealogist, vol. i.
[297] Northumberland County History, vol. ix. In this case enclosure was carried out by the freeholders. But the procedure is similar to that at Ewerne. The allusion to “justice and right" shows what the reason for the intermixing of strips had been.
[298] We know why lords wanted to enclose much better than we know why tenants wanted to enclose. Here is a petition from a freeholder (Northumberland County History, vol. v. undated): “To the Right Honourable Earl of Northumberland, William Bednell ... gent., humbly prayeth: That where the said village of Over Buston is held in common ... it would please your good lordship to consent that partition may be made of the same, and that also there may be convenient exchange of the arable lands lyinge in the common fields there to be rateable reduced into severall by the same partition for the reasons under-written.
“First, for that the common and pasture of the said village lying open, unfenced upon the common and fields of [Wordon and Bilton], wherein are many tenants and great number of cattle, the profits of the same are continually by them surcharged, and your lordship’s tenants prevented.
“By reason hereof divers quarrels and variances have happened, and daily like to ensue between the tenants of both towns, by chasing, rechasing, and impounding of their cattle damage fezant, which cannot be kept out but by perpetual staffherding, to the great charge of your honour’s poor tenants.
“Your lordship’s tenants being four in number, unprovided to keep able horses by reason of the want of convenient pastures and meadow, may be enabled by this particion for that purpose.
“Inclosure would greatly strengthen the said village, and your lordship’s tenants, against the incursions of Scotts and foren ryders, which otherwyse, lying open, cannot be defended by the number there, who are forced to watch generally together every night, to their great charge and endurable toil.
“This breeding betterment to the soil and ease to your lordship’s tenants will augment your honour’s revenue there, avoid forren commoners, prevent contentions, enable your lordship’s tenants to do your honour their requisite service, and bind your orator to pray that your lordship live long in happy state.”
[299] Northumberland County History, vol. v. The Surveyor of Buston (1569).
[300] Ibid.