THE PRICE OF WOOL. 377 



significant of the terror and prostration induced by the Plague than 

 the sudden fall in the price of wool at this time. It is a long time 

 before a recovery takes place, and this, when it does occur, affects 

 the different kinds of wool unequally. 



1350. There is a slight recovery from the panic, but the average 

 is enhanced by the Maldon sale, which is effected on rather high 

 terms. There is an entry from Stillington, the rate of sale being 

 higher than that which is ordinarily reached in this part of England. 

 This entry, however, is not included in the average. There is a high 

 price of woolfells recorded. 



1351. The only evidence of wool sold by the larger weight is 

 derived from Berks and (if I am right in my interpretation of the 

 name) Warwickshire. The weight, a remarkable but not a singular 

 one, is the petra of iSlbs. I exclude Stillington sales on the 

 principle already adverted to. They do not vary much from those 

 of the year before, and one entry from this place, in which a date is 

 given, seems to imply that fluctuations in the price had taken place. 

 Lambs' wool is very cheap, even on an estate where the great wool is 

 fully priced. The price by the pound does not vary materially from 

 the average derived from sales by the larger weight. 



1352. The price is lower than in the previous year. The terms 

 of the Sharpness sale are not at first sight very clear, but it will be 

 found that very often the fractions of a sack or wey are sold at 

 higher or lower rates than the whole numbers. The price, for 

 instance, of the four sacks sold is about is. 2\d. the clove, but the 

 thirteen cloves over and above the four sacks are sold at i s. gd. On 

 the other hand, the Wolrichston sale is effected almost exactly at the 

 same rate by the sack as it is stated to be by the clove. 



r 353- The average is considerably enhanced by the sale of wool 

 from Frodsham, which appears to be in Cheshire ; but it is manifest 

 that the price has risen in Apuldrum, the only other locality from 

 which evidence is derived. Lambs' wool, too, is a little dearer. 



1354. The price is sustained at Apuldrum, but is considerably 

 increased in some other localities. The Wolrichston produce is 

 considerably higher than in 1352, and that from Wolford is almost 

 at old rates. Lambs' wool was probably, on the whole, higher than 

 the average, the only evidence supplied coming from Apuldrum. 

 The Wolford fleece is heavy. 



J 355- Prices are again falling. Wolrichston entries are lower, 

 and so are those from Apuldrum. Spene sales are on the whole 

 lower, that is, are effected at the same rate as the lowest price 



