Common People: A Folk History of the Fight for Land Rights

A stunning book by photographer Leah Gordon and bestselling art author Stephen Ellcock, illustrated with 100 incredible colour images from a diverse range of artists of different eras, exploring the enclosure of common land in England and the struggle over the centuries to regain access.

IN 1600, 50% OF ENGLAND WAS COMMON LAND.
IT’S NOW 3%.
THIS IS THE STORY OF HOW THAT HAPPENED.

This is a visual journey through the history of the enclosure of common land in England and the stories of those who have attempted to resist. Richly illustrated with Leah Gordon’s photography alongside fine art and folk customs past and present, discover:

- A timeline of this centuries-long struggle for access to the land.
- The stories of rural resistance such as the Levellers, the Diggers, the Luddites and Captain Swing.
- The links between the struggles of the industrial working-class and the peasants.
- Contemporary conflicts around land rights, such as the New Age travellers and rave scene, the anti-road campaign and the Right to Roam movement.

Common People offers a reimagining of English history told by the people themselves, giving voice to the silenced history of the enclosures and the incredible visual creativity inspired by rural resistance and protest.

Leah Gordon is an artist, curator and writer. Her film and photographic work has been exhibited internationally including at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney; the Dak’art Biennale; the National Portrait Gallery, UK and MOCA, Miami, Florida. She is the author of Kanaval and the director and producer of the award-winning documentary Kanaval: A People’s History of Haiti in Six Chapters. Find out more here: leahgordon.co.uk

Stephen Ellcock is a bestselling author, art director, curator and online collector of images who has amassed over 600,000 followers across social media. He is the author of All Good Things, Time for Magic, The Cosmic Dance, Underworlds and Elements, among other books.

Annabel Edwards is writer and researcher who has worked in publishing, journalism, and on numerous art projects. She has been documenting the free festival scene and New Age Travellers since the 1990s.