In England during the Middle Ages, each village had an area known as common pasture where families could graze their cows and sheep freely. This system was vital for rural communities, allowing villagers to sustain their livestock without incurring any additional costs. However, over time, the grass in these communal pastures became increasingly depleted due to overgrazing.
The depletion of pastureland meant that fewer resources were available for livestock. As more families relied on the common pasture to feed their animals, the competition for grass intensified. Eventually, this led to a situation where no family’s cows or sheep could get enough food from the overstressed land, putting their livelihoods at risk.
This challenge prompted a shift in how land was managed in the later Middle Ages. Many villages began to rearrange their agricultural practices, leading to the enclosure movement where common lands were fenced off, and private ownership became more prevalent. This transition was essential to ensure that livestock had adequate grazing without the detrimental effects of overpopulation in communal pastures.