Following on from the Enclosure Acts, in 1822 the Turnpike Act was introduced, fining any gypsies camping along the road. The Vagrancy Act of 1824, swiftly followed making it an offence, among other things, “to be in the open air, or under a tent, or in a cart or wagon, not having any visible means of subsistence, and not giving a good account of himself, or herself.”
Only two years later then came the Commons Act of 1826, which allowed the local authority to set its own rules for its own common land. Which meant that very soon the commons were closed to gypsies. For generations after these Acts gypsies were regularly sent to prison merely for existing.
Clare's natural sympathies lay with the gypsies. On the other hand, the landowners stewards and gamekeepers, are "terrifying rascals" who "make a prison of the forrests and are its jaolers." But where were they to go once the so-called ‘waste’ grounds became private property? It was through their eyes that Clare saw the terrible injustice of enclosure.
With the Gipsies (Arbour Chapbook No. 3) is available from me at £3.50 + £1.00 postage and packing (UK). Not sure how much the postage would be to other parts of the world, but I'm sure I can let you know.
Kindle edition (PDF) is £1.50 - just send me a message to arborfield@pm.me
Clare's natural sympathies lay with the gypsies. On the other hand, the landowners stewards and gamekeepers, are "terrifying rascals" who "make a prison of the forrests and are its jaolers." But where were they to go once the so-called ‘waste’ grounds became private property? It was through their eyes that Clare saw the terrible injustice of enclosure.
With the Gipsies (Arbour Chapbook No. 3) is available from me at £3.50 + £1.00 postage and packing (UK). Not sure how much the postage would be to other parts of the world, but I'm sure I can let you know.
Kindle edition (PDF) is £1.50 - just send me a message to arborfield@pm.me
Posts
