Introduction
In the days of Edward III (1327-1377), English wool was the finest in Europe; but as we knew no more what to do with our wool (wrote Thomas Fuller) than the sheep that wear it, we exported it raw to the Continent and imported the finished cloth at a high price. Lesser men might have imposed taxes, subsidies or price controls to balance the economy, but Edward had a much better idea: some healthy competition.
THE intercourse now being great betwixt the English and the Netherlands, (increased of late, since king Edward married the daughter of the earl of Hainault,)* unsuspected emissaries were employed by our king into those countries, who wrought* themselves into familiarity with such Dutchmen as were absolute masters of their trade, but not masters of themselves, as either journeymen or apprentices.* These [emissaries] bemoaned the slavishness of these poor servants, whom their masters used rather like Heathens than Christians, yea, rather like horses than men! Early up and late in bed, and all day hard work and harder fare, (a few herrings and mouldy cheese,) and all to enrich the churls* their masters, without any profit unto themselves.
But O how happy should they be if they would but come over into England, bringing their mystery* with them, which would provide their welcome in all places! Here they should feed on fat beef and mutton, till nothing but their fulness should stint their stomachs: yea, they should feed on the labours of their own hands, enjoying a proportionable profit of their pains to themselves.
* Philippa of Hainault (?1314-1369), daughter of William, Count of Holland and Hainault. Philippa and Edward (at that time heir to the throne of England) were betrothed in 1326, part of a plan, efficiently executed, by Queen Isabella to put young Edward on the throne in place of her disappointing husband, Edward II. Philippa herself was a remarkable woman too. She outgeneralled the Scots who invaded England while her husband was fighting the Crécy campaign in France, and in 1347 successfully interceded for six burghers of Calais accused of treason. A mother of twelve, she was also a lady of fashion with an impressive collection of fine clothes, something which perhaps helps to explain why Edward took such a keen interest in the price of fabrics.
* ‘Wrought’ is an archaic past tense and past participle of ‘work’. It survives in the term ‘wrought iron’, an iron alloy shaped by working it while it is hot.
* That is, these Dutch craftsmen were highly skilled itinerant workers or apprentices, but they had reached a ‘glass ceiling’ in their profession and could not set up in business for themselves. This often happened where mediaeval craft Guilds restricted competition in each town. See also The Hollow Blade Sword Company.
* ‘Churl’ comes from an Old English word meaning a commoner, one who is not well-born. It came to imply a boor, a rude and mean-spirited man.
* Sometimes spelt ‘mistery’, a craft or skill, in mediaeval towns often self-regulated as a Guild. These Guilds put on plays at major religious festivals, which came to known as Mystery (or Mistery) Plays.
Précis
In the fourteenth century, King Edward III was not satisfied with exporting raw wool to the Continent. Hoping to establish a full-scale domestic textile industry, he dispatched agents to the Netherlands with instructions to sow discontent among over-regulated Dutch craftsmen, and win them over with tales of England’s more liberal economy and higher standard of living. (56 / 60 words)
In the fourteenth century, King Edward III was not satisfied with exporting raw wool to the Continent. Hoping to establish a full-scale domestic textile industry, he dispatched agents to the Netherlands with instructions to sow discontent among over-regulated Dutch craftsmen, and win them over with tales of England’s more liberal economy and higher standard of living.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, because, just, otherwise, ought, until, whereas, whether.
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