Medieval English Wool Trade

Medieval English Wool Trade examines the development and impact of England's wool industry from the 13th through 15th centuries. Power analyzes the economic structures, international trade networks, and social dynamics that made wool England's primary export commodity during this period. The book covers the mechanics of wool production and commerce, from sheep farming practices to the role of merchants and financiers in the trade. Power explores the activities of key players including monasteries, peasant producers, wool merchants, and the Crown, showing how their interactions shaped the medieval economy. Through extensive use of historical records and documentation, Power reconstructs the complex systems of credit, contracts, and shipping that facilitated the wool trade between England and Continental Europe. The work presents findings based on customs accounts, merchant letters, court records, and other primary sources. The study remains an influential work on medieval economic history, demonstrating how a single commodity could drive social transformation and international relations. Power's analysis reveals the foundations of England's emergence as a commercial power.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Eileen Power's overall work: Readers praise Power's ability to make medieval history engaging and accessible. In "Medieval People," many note how she brings historical figures to life through careful detail and clear writing. Several reviewers highlight her focus on everyday people rather than just rulers and battles. Readers liked: - Clear writing style that makes complex topics understandable - Use of specific examples and personal stories - Balance of academic rigor with readability - Focus on common people's daily lives - Inclusion of women's perspectives in medieval history Main criticisms: - Some dated language and interpretations - Occasional oversimplification of complex topics - Limited scope in geographic coverage Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (997 ratings) "Medieval People": - Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (89 reviews) - Amazon US: 4.4/5 (112 reviews) One reader noted: "Power writes with such immediacy that medieval people feel like neighbors." Another commented: "Revolutionary for its time but some conclusions need updating based on newer research."

The Great Wave: Price Revolutions and the Rhythm of History by David Hackett Fischer This book traces the economic patterns of medieval and early modern Europe through price fluctuations and their connection to wool, grain, and other commodity trades.

The Rise of Merchant Empires by James D. Tracy The text examines the development of long-distance trade networks across Europe from 1350-1750, including the wool trade's role in building commercial systems.

The Commercial Revolution of the Middle Ages by Robert S. Lopez This work explores the transformation of European commerce between 950-1350, with emphasis on the wool trade's contribution to medieval economic growth.

The First European Revolution by R.I. Moore The book analyzes the economic and social transformations of Europe between 970-1215, including the development of wool production networks that shaped medieval commerce.

Power and Profit: The Merchant in Medieval Europe by Peter Spufford This text maps the commercial systems of medieval Europe through the activities of merchants who traded wool and other commodities across the continent.

🐑 Eileen Power was one of the first women to become a professor of economic history at the London School of Economics, achieving this milestone in 1931. 🏰 The medieval wool trade was so crucial to England's economy that wool sacks were featured on the Lord Chancellor's seat in Parliament, known as the Woolsack, a tradition that continues today. 📜 Italian merchants, particularly from Florence, played a major role in England's wool trade, with companies like the Bardi and Peruzzi essentially acting as bankers to the English crown in exchange for wool trading privileges. 🌟 The wealth generated by the wool trade funded the construction of many of England's magnificent medieval churches and cathedrals, particularly in East Anglia and the Cotswolds, leading to the saying "the wool on the sheep's back built the church." 🔄 The book demonstrates how the wool trade transformed England from a raw material exporter to a finished cloth producer by the end of the medieval period, fundamentally changing the country's economic structure.