The reign of Edward III is directly connected with the rise of a
flourishing commerce with the Continent. In the early ages of its
history England was almost wholly an agricultural country. At length
the farmers in the eastern counties began to turn their attention to
wool growing. They exported the fleeces, which were considered the
finest in the world, to the Flemish cities of Ghent and Bruges. There
they were woven into cloth and returned to be sold in the English
market; for, as an old writer quaintly remarks, "The English people at
that time knew no more what to do with the wool than the sheep on
whose backs it grew."[1]
[1] Thomas Fuller. This remark applies to the production of fine
woolens only. The English had long manufactured common grades of
woolen cloth to some extent.
Edward's wife, Queen Philippa, was a native of a French province
adjoining Flanders, which was also engaged in the production of
cloth. (See map facing p. 128.) She used her influence in behalf of
the establishment of woolen factories at Norwich, and other towns in
the east of England, in 1336. Skilled Flemish workmen were induced to
come over, and by their help England successfully laid the foundation
of one of her greatest and most lucrative industries.
From that time wool was considered a chief source of the national
wealth. Later, that the fact might be kept constantly in mind, a
square crimson bag filled with it--the "Woolsack"--became, and still
continues to be, the seat of the Lord Chancellor in the House of
Lords.