The Lore of the Land: The Reclamation of Englefield
My thesis merges film and folklore to critique the surge in land privatisation. Proposing the "Theatre of Trespass" on the Englefield Estate, it envisions covert structures made from reclaimed timber built with the goal of taking back commons lost to aristocracy and excessive wealth.
Richard Benyon, the owner of Englefield Estate, is the wealthiest MP, owning nearly 5% of Berkshire County. Despite this, he has served as Minister for Rural Affairs and continues as Minister of State for Climate, Environment, and Energy. The "Theatre of Trespass" aims to conjure the spectral presence of the Old Crockern, a folklore character whose narrative has been tailored for this site and project. To persuade Benyon to abandon his vast estate and shift his political stance, becoming a true ally for fair public land access.
