CHAPTER XVII. 



THE PRICE OF WOOL. 



I HAVE attempted in the subjoined table to derive inferences 

 from the evidence collected in the second volume, pp. 338-352, 

 5<^_6 3 as to actual sales of wool, sheep and lambs', calculated 

 by the clove of 7 Ibs., as also for the value of the former by the 

 pound, whenever the account gives this weight. The table 

 supplies also the highest and lowest price at which fleeces and 

 woolfells are sold ; and, lastly, the weight of fleeces on various 

 manors or estates. 



The value of wool sold varies considerably with the locality. 

 This must be carefully remembered in taking account of 

 averages from evidence collected. A clove of wool from the 

 northern was worth very much less than one from the midland 

 counties. This is brought out very clearly in the record given 

 of the permission to export specified quantities of wool accorded 

 to certain parties by the Parliament of 1339-40 (March 29). 

 These persons are allowed to export 1500 sacks of York wool 

 at 90^., 500 of Nottinghamshire at 931. 4^., 500 from Derbyshire 

 at 6y. 4*/., 400 from Cumberland and Westmoreland at 531. 4 

 500 from Leicester at io6s. 8^., 100 from Rutland at 90*., 400 

 from Shropshire at 126^. 4^. It will be seen that, reckoned at 52 

 cloves to the sack, the value of this produce was is. 8f*/., is. 9 

 is. i\d., is.o\d. y 2s. id., 2*. $\d. from each locality respectively; 

 that is, Shropshire wool was worth more than twice as much, 

 weight for weight, as Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Derby- 

 shire produce, and Leicester twice as much as that of the 



