Enclosure Awards
Farming in the Middle Ages was undertaken on the 'open-field' system. Three or four large fields surrounding a central village were divided into strips and each farmer had so many strips in each field. Each field was used to grow a different arable crop.
During the eighteenth century this system proved to be inefficient. Consequently, the system of farming was changed. The large fields were divided into small plots (closes) or fields which were awarded to the farmers, the size of the field matching the amount of land the farmer originally had across his strips. Each field was then enclosed by hedges or fences.
In order to determine how much land each farmer should have, surveyors were employed to map the parish.
Main groups of documents
How to find the document you want
Main groups of documents include:
Enclosure maps
Coverage: 1759 - 1879, most before 1820
Series of maps produced by surveyors to show where new plots of land were going to be. Usually includes buildings in the village or town, and the size of the plots. Each plot is numbered, the numbers relating to entries in the Enclosure Award.
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Enclosure awards
Coverage: 1759 - 1879, most before 1820
Series of volumes, each of which accompanies an enclosure map. The plot numbers on the map relate to entries in the award. The award details who had been given the newly created plot, and also who was responsible for the maintenance of boundaries and roads.
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How to find the document you want
Enclosure Awards are arranged by parish, and there is a catalogue in the Archives search room listing which enclosures we hold for each parish.
Not all parishes had statutory enclosures. Nottinghamshire Archives will hold copies of the enclosure which were enrolled at the Quarter Sessions and often a copy from the parish records or those of the principal landowner. There are more than 150 maps held at Nottinghamshire Archives. If you are unable to find an enclosure for the parish you want, see if there is a tithe map.
Download our leaflet on Maps and Plans [PDF 308KB] 
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