English Economic History: Select Documents

by Unknown

By the King himself.

[223] This document, afterwards referred to as the Staplers' charter (cf Patent Roll, 13 Edward II, m. 19 d), contains the earliest reference in the English records to an organised body of wool merchants with a mayor and council; it is clear from the last words of the ordinance that both Staple and Staplers were older than the royal interest in them.

21. Arguments for the Establishment of Home Staple Towns [Exch. K.R. Accounts, 457, 32.], 1319.

London. Whereas our lord the King by his writ has signified to us that in particular in his Parliament last holden at York debate was raised touching the establishment of certain places within his realm whereat sales and purchases of wools should be made and not elsewhere; which business (which should turn to the profit of our said lord and of the people of his realm) and also the fixing of the places most convenient herefor, through certain disturbances,[224] remained undetermined; and signified also that divers moneys counterfeiting the coin of our said lord are brought by foreign people into his realm to the subversion of his money and to the prejudice of our said lord; whereon our lord the King wishes to have our advice and counsel; we do him to wit that in full treaty and discussion with divers merchants, citizens and burgesses of the realm, we have agreed, if it please our lord the King, that there be two places established for the said sales and purchases, namely, one on this side Trent, and another beyond, which places should fulfil the conditions below-written, that is to say, the places should be strong, well situated and secure for the repair of foreign merchants and the safety of their persons and their goods, and there should be ready access for all manner of merchandise, an exchange good, easy and prompt, and a good and convenient haven in the same places; and that the law and usages and franchises, which merchants repairing to the Staple in these times have had and used, they should use and enjoy henceforth at the places where they shall be, without being drawn into another law or another custom; and that the foreigners who shall come to the said places go not further in the realm nor send privily or openly by any manner of people to make any purchase of wools elsewhere than at the places established; and hereby the towns of our said lord which are now decayed and impoverished will be restored and enriched. If it be established in the form above written, it will befal to the great profit of our lord the King and of all his realm; principally, by the security of the persons and goods of merchants and other people of the realm, whom in these times death, robberies and other damages without number have in large measure befallen; and also by the increase of the profit of the change of our lord through the plate and bullion which shall be brought there; and also by the drawing of all manner of merchants and their merchandise that shall come there; moreover, owing to the great treasure of the goods of England that is and remains in the power of aliens, tort, trespass, robberies, and homicide cannot be readily redressed nor rightly punished in our parts on this side the sea for fear of the persons and goods which the aliens have in their power[225], whereby they are enriched and emboldened to maintain the mortal enemies of the King, and comfort them with people, arms and victuals; and by the ordinance aforesaid the merchants and the people of our said lord, to whom he can resort when need be, will be enriched, and the enemies of the King impoverished and all alien merchants in his subjection, and other profits without number will arise, which we cannot by any means fully show forth. With regard to money, if it please our lord, let it not be suffered to be brought from the parts beyond the sea, save only gold, plate and bullion; and to do away with the counterfeit money current among the good, wheresoever it be found, let it be pierced and sent to the change.[226]

[224] The struggle with Thomas, earl of Lancaster.

[225] i.e., through fear of malicious reprisals abroad; it is urged apparently that by the establishment of staples at home English merchants will stay in the realm and enjoy the profits of commerce without undertaking the risks. The policy of exclusive home staples was thrice attempted without success, in 1326, 1332 and 1353.

[226] Endorsed is a list of counties whose representatives agree to the foregoing advice, namely, Middlesex, Essex, Hertford, Buckingham, Bedford, Oxford, Berks, Gloucester, Hereford, Worcester, Salop, Stafford, Chester and Warwick, together with London and Stamford.

The arguments presented above were the outcome of a conference between the council, and representatives of cities and boroughs and of the merchants throughout the realm. See Eng. Hist. Rev., Jan. 1914.

22. Ordinances of the Staple [Patent Roll, 19 Edward II, p. 2, m. 8], 1326.

Edward, etc., to the mayor of our city of London, greeting. We command you, straitly enjoining, that the things below written, ordained by us and our council for the common profit and relief of the people of all our realm and power, you cause to be proclaimed and published and straitly kept and observed in our city aforesaid and everywhere in your bailiwick.