Common People

This book is an ambitious project to trace through diverse artworks the history of the enclosure of common land in England and the stories of those who over the centuries have attempted to resist this. Richly illustrated with Leah Gordon’s photography, it brings together wonderful array of artworks, from renowned fine art imagery to historical satirical work to photography of folk customs past and present. Discover:

• A timeline of the history of the struggle for access to the land, from the Peasants’ Revolt to the Enclosure Acts to the current Right to Roam movement.
• The stories of rural leaders of resistance such as Gerrard Winstanley, Robert Kett, the Levellers, the Diggers, the Luddites, Queen Mag and Captain Swing, and the peasant poet, John Clare,
• The links between the histories of the industrial working-class and the peasants.
• Tales of contemporary conflict around land rights, such as the allotment movement, New Age travellers, the rave scene, the anti-road protests and the Right to Roam campaigns.

Common People offers a re-imagining of English history from below, informing readers about the silenced history of the enclosures and the incredible visual creativity that has been inspired by rural resistance and protest.