Impediments to expropriation. Peasant property rights in medieval England and Marcher Wales

Abstract In this paper, an attempt will be made to discuss the likely context for pre-plague indications of expropriation and its limits. There is plentiful evidence active land market in medieval villages by end thirteenth century, most some time earlier. Fluctuation rate buying selling coincided with difficult harvest years suggests a link between impecunious peasant sellers wealthier buyers. also association pre-existing indebtedness. period partial commercial development, extent which exchange or moveables proceeded significant structural redistribution resources was constrained, even those parts country where early well-established, adjustment not evident. Instead, impediments expropriation, such as seigneurial control limited capacity extensive capital accumulation, acted constraints on accumulation redistribution. That said, there suggestion our sources property rights associable inequality dealing advantage landholders creditors. exploring last point, particular use court records Welsh marcher lordship Dyffryn Clwyd.