This poem by Charles E Benham from 1850 deals with the problems experienced in Essex Farms in the mid 1800's when the import of grain from Europe brought financial problems to many small farmers and forced the closure of many. The result of closure usually meant the loss of tied accommodation and the workhouse for many of the labourers and their families.   Master ha' gone to the Court! An' the farm an' the stock to be sold Well I am wholly amaized, I was here at eleven year owd- That'll be forty two year, come Michaelmas next - an' you say Master ha' gone to the Court! What, an' brok' because he carn pay. Things must be wunnerful bad, do master 'ad never ha' broke, Him as had olluz a sight o' good luck, why that seem like a joke, Master gone to the Court! Wahat an' filed his petition an' that, Ten year agao I'd as soon ha' believed it as eaten my hat. An' wha's go'n to come o' the land - three hund'd o' acres an' more Wha's go'n to come o' the land? Tha's go'n to be sowd? But good lor, Who is the fule of a chap that's a goin' to buy it, I say? Land that 'ont pay, to be sowd? Yes but who is a goin' to buy. An' wha's go'n to come o' we chaps? Are we all going straight to the house? What, me an' Tom Hodge, an Jack Wilson, an Harry, an' Sandy, an' Rous Along o' the master and missus? Good lor, man alive if we must I knaow, when we git there, together , I knaow I shall larf till I bust The lan' for the people! Old Warty, he talk to em wunnerful grand But wha's go'n to come o' the people, and wha's go'n to come o' the land, well that is the master bit I do think ever was towd What is go'n to come o' this country if master's a go'n to be sowd?