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 study examining how English villages grew, connecting their development to manorial and tribal structures, along with the open-field farming method. The book looks into England's economic past to understand if these villages started as free communities or under the control of serfdom. The author states his focus on the economic aspects rather than just historical details, acknowledging that understanding the old ways helps us grasp modern ideas of freedom and democracy. Initially, the book presents the characteristics of the open-field system, showing its structure in places like Hitchin, detailing how this farming strategy greatly shaped England's economy and laying the foundation for discussions on the link between village communities, manorial systems, and the development of serfdom in England.