The World of the Small Farmer

Overview

This detailed and original study of early-modern agrarian society in the Somerset Levels examines the small landholders in a group of sixteen contiguous parishes in the area known as Brent Marsh. These were farmers with lifehold tenures and a mixed agricultural production whose activities and outlook are shown to be very different from that of the small 'peasant' farmers of so many general histories. Patricia Croot challenges the idea that small farmers failed to contribute to the productivity and commercialization of the early-modern economy.

Author Biography

Patricia Croot is a Senior Research Fellow of the IHR with a PhD from Leeds University. She has also worked for the Victoria County History of Middlesex, as both County and Consultant Editor.