THE PRICE OF WOOL. 379 



entry from Ponteland, which gives the same rate as in 1361. With 

 this year ends the long depression in the price of wool, which has 

 continued for upwards of thirty years with hardly any interruption. 

 Henceforth the price rises considerably, and will be found to repre- 

 sent during the next twenty years a generally dear rate. Europe had 

 in some degree perhaps recovered from the effects of the Plague. 

 It is certain that part of the increased price was due to a deficiency 

 in the number of sheep kept, and that the rise which we have else- 

 where seen to be general during the period on which I am entering 

 was caused, to some extent, by curtailed supply. 



1364. A considerable rise takes place. Apuldrum wool is low, 

 but has increased slightly on the previous year ; but in every other 

 place the rise is very marked. The fleeces from Whaddon are high. 

 The hogg wool of Wellow is much lower than the ordinary sheep's 

 wool. Lambs' wool participates in the rise. 



1365. The evidence is copious. A further rise takes place. 

 Apuldrum wool is much higher. The reader will see, on comparing 

 Eastwood in 1361-2, Heghtre in 1359, Somerton in 1358-9, how 

 great the increase is. The Somerton wool is again higher than any 

 other. Lambs' wool rises, but not so largely. 



1366. The price is still higher. The rise can be traced at 

 Eastwood and Wolrichston. The Whaddon fleece, too, is remarkably 

 high. The dearest rate is that of Steeple Claydon. Lambs' wool 

 is also much dearer. There is an entry from Northumberland, but, 

 as usual, the rate, though much higher than in many previous years, 

 is lower than in other localities, and in accordance with the rule 

 hitherto acted on, it is not calculated in the averages. 



1367. The price is still higher on most estates, though there is a 

 fall at Eastwood. At Brancaster it is nearly double that at which it 

 sold in 1362. It is very high at Aston Monialium, a place which 

 seems to be in Worcestershire. The price at Somerton, 3,?., is the 

 same as that in 1365. Wolrichston wool is sold at the rates of the 

 year before. It is from this place only that a price of lambs' wool is 

 derived, and the rate is rather low. 



1368. There is a decided reaction, slightly in Eastwood, more 

 considerable in other places. As before, the Northumberland sale is 

 omitted. The high price of lambs' wool given at Wye is quite 

 inexplicable. 



1369. There is a slight recovery. On the whole, prices are very 

 uniform, though the information is derived from distant localities, 

 chiefly in the south. 



