What Was The Run-rig System?

The run-rig system was the means by which arable land was divided up in almost all of medieval Europe.

Land held run-rig meant different strips of arable land were allotted each year to the peasantry. This was done in such a way so as to ensure everyone got a share of the better and worst ground in different years.

However, this system lead to bad agricultural practices, with the inevitable consequence of general impoverishment of all the available arable land. No-one was in a hurry to manure a field or maintain drainage if there was no guarantee of getting the same piece of land the following year.

In medieval Europe this system of alloting land was almost universal until the mid 18th century when rural populations were rising at a vast rate, due to better diets and improved medical care. Around this time there was major upheaval in European society and revision of land management and ownership.