WOOLLEN MANUFACTURE IN ENGLAND. 257 



in his last will, describes the females of his family as, " the 

 spindle side." 



It seems probable, judging from the illuminations of ancient 

 manuscripts, that the Saxons made more use of woollen than 

 of linen ; indeed, an old legendary tale preserved in the col- 

 lection of the brothers Grimm, represents the spinning of 

 Flax as a most extraordinary acquirement, which was not to 

 be thoroughly gained but by supernatural assistance. It is 

 singular that the same legend should also be found at one 

 time in Ireland. 



On reference to history, I find that wool was the most 

 important article of British produce ; and the Plantagenet 

 monarchs endeavoured to secure for themselves a large share 

 of the profits arising from it, by forbidding it to be bought or 

 sold in any market except the staple towns. In 1261 the 

 barons, enraged at the partiality which Henry III. showed to 

 the French connection of his queen, passed a law prohibiting 

 the export of wool, and ordering that no woollen clothes 

 should be worn except such as were woven at home. Little 

 cloth was made in England, and that only of the coarsest 

 description, until Edward III., in the year 1331, invited over 

 from Flanders, weavers, dyers, and fullers to settle in England, 

 promising them his protection and favour, on condition that 

 they would carry on their trades here, and teach the know- 

 ledge of this branch of manufacture to his subjects. 



In the reign of Henry VIII., not more than a century after 

 its introduction, the woollen manufacture had thriven so well 

 that it was made to contribute to the revenue, and we were 

 enabled to compete with the nations by whom we had been 

 taught it. It appears, however, that little progress was made 

 until the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when the persecution of 

 the Protestants in France, and more especially in Flanders 

 drove many eminent manufacturers to seek refuge in England, 

 where they were graciously received by Queen Elizabeth. 

 K 



