The English Village Community: Examined in its Relations to the Manorial and Tribal Systems and to the Common or Open Field System of Husbandry; An Essay in Economic History (Reprinted from the Fourth Edition)

"The English Village Community" by Frederic Seebohm is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the development of English village communities in relation to manorial and tribal systems, as well as the common open-field system of husbandry. It aims to shed light on the economic history of England, focusing on the historical question of whether these communities began as free entities or under serfdom. At the start of the work, Seebohm expresses his initial intention to approach the subject from an economic perspective rather than as an antiquarian study. He acknowledges the essential role that understanding the old social order plays in comprehending modern concepts of freedom and democracy. The opening chapters delve into the characteristics of the open-field system, illustrating its structures and features through specific examples, particularly focusing on the township of Hitchin. Seebohm details how this system contributed significantly to the economic landscape of England and sets the groundwork for the inquiry into the relationships between village communities, manorial land management, and the evolution of serfdom within English history.