Tillage Act 1597 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
|
|
| Citation | 39 Eliz. 1. c. 2 |
|---|---|
| Introduced by | Francis Bacon (Commons) |
The Tillage Act 1597 was an important law passed by the Parliament of England during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. It was created to help make sure there was enough food for everyone in England. This law focused on how land was used for farming.
What Was the Tillage Act?
The Tillage Act 1597 was a special rule about farming. It said that land that had been changed from growing crops to raising animals (like sheep) had to go back to growing crops. It also stopped people from changing any more land into pastures for animals. This law was important for 25 different areas, or counties, in England.
Why Was This Act Needed?
In the late 1500s, many landowners found it more profitable to raise sheep for wool than to grow crops. This meant they were changing fields used for farming (called tillage) into pastures for animals. While wool was valuable, it meant less food was being grown for people to eat.
Francis Bacon, a famous lawyer and politician, was worried about this. He brought the idea for this law to the House of Commons, which is part of the English Parliament. He spoke about how important it was to grow crops to feed the country. He believed that if people stopped farming, it would cause problems for everyone.
The Big Debate
A few years later, in 1601, the Tillage Act was going to expire. This meant Parliament had to decide if they wanted to keep it going. There was a big discussion about it.
One famous person, Sir Walter Raleigh, argued against the Act. He thought that people should be free to use their land however they wanted. He believed that if farmers could choose what to grow or raise, it would be best for the country. He said, "leave every man free, which is the desire of a true Englishman."
However, Sir Robert Cecil, another important politician, strongly supported the Act. He believed that growing crops was essential for the country's survival. He famously said, "Whoever doth not maintain the plough, destroys the kingdom." This meant that if people didn't support farming, the country would suffer. In the end, the Act was renewed, showing that many people agreed with Cecil's view.
