Introduction

In this book I try to tell the story of the farmers of England, their labourers and their landlords, in the period between about 1560 and 1760, to show how they went about their business, and to recount their great achievements. It was at this time that English farming underwent those mighty and profound changes that set up a unique form of rural life and economy, the peculiar ‘rural reign’ rejoiced at in the last verse but one of ‘Rule Britannia’, which was composed towards the end of this period. British agriculture became the wonder and envy of the world. Frenchman and Swede alike were amazed by the sight of rural England. The ‘rural reign’ helped to make Britain’s commerce shine and was a great pillar of strength to the whole nation. It was one of the main causes of England’s former wealth and power, and its influence, its example, and its very terminology were spread to the Continent, to the new countries beyond the seas, and to all the western world.