Stat. 15. of Ed. 3. ca. 8.
First, that no Cloath made beyond Seas, shall be brought into the King’s Dominions, on pain to forfeit the same, and to be further punished at the King’s will.
Stat. 15. of Ed. 3. ca. 5.
That all Cloath-workers, and Artificers in the trade of Cloathing, that came out of other Countries into the Kingdom, had the King’s Protection to dwell where they pleased, and convenient Franchizes and great privilidges were at first allowed them for their incouragement; maintained at a publique charge out of the King’s Exchequer.
Stat 18. of Ed. 3. cap. 3.
Stat. 8. Hen. 6. ca. 22.
Stat. 23. H. 8. cap. 17.
Stat. 31. Ed. 3. ca. 8.
Stat. 13. E. 3. cap. 9.
I find there that Strangers as well as Natives, might have bought Wooll as they could agree, and that great care was taken to avoid Deceits, to abate and lessen the prices of wooll, and to avoid false Packing, false Winding, and false Ballances, and to have one just Weight throughout England, proved and tried by the respective Sheriffs of every County, according to the Standard of the Exchequer: and that no buyer of Wooll, (Stat. 13. of Edw. 3. cap. 2.) should make any refuse or wast, but an equal hand should be carried between buyer and seller; and this upon grievous Forfeitures, as Stat. 12. Rich. 2. cap. 9. Also that all Wooll-felles and Leather bought in the Countries, should be brought to the Staples which were appointed on purpose, where Wooll and such commodities were to be sold, and should remain there fifteen days at least, for the supply of our own people who were to have the first choice, or as much as they would work up, and then the remainer which could not be wrought up in England, were to be sent to publique places in the day time, and from thence to the Ports appointed on purpose for the staples to be Transported, after the Buyers had paid their due Customs and Subsidies, (Viz.) for every sack of Wooll, which contained 94 Pounds, 2 pounds 10 shillings: and for every 300 of Wooll-felles two pounds ten shillings, and for every last of Leather, five pounds; and that no wooll vendible should be lodged, shewed or sold, within three miles of the Staple, by any Merchant, Buyer, or Transporter, or any others, but such as had of their own growth, and no other: And the Chancellour, Treasurer, with the advice others of the Kings Councel, had power to defer the Transportation of Wooll, when, and as often as they saw it convenient.