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During the 15th and 16th centuries the number of jobs available to people had not kept pace with the growth of the population. Bad weather had led to harvest failures which in turn had led to food shortages and high prices. The growth in sheep farming brought about an increase in unemployment for rural labourers. Whilst agricultural enclosures did not have a great effect in Herefordshire until the 17th century (and parliamentary enclosures until the 19th century), Herefordshire did not have a thriving handicraft industry, nor were there mineral or mining industries. Bad roads and transportation made it difficult for people to sell goods outside the county at competitive prices. As a result there were many very poor people.

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16y ago

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