Volume of English trade
Increased during the first half of the 16th century
Continued rise in cloth exports - however market for raw wool declnied
Woollen cloth exports almost doubled during Henry VIII’s reign
Accompanied by significant increass in hides and tin export
Increase in import of wine - suggests spending power of upper classes increased
Export routes
From London to Antwerp - then sent to Central Europe and Baltic customers
Increasing proportion of exported cloth was routed through London - had a negative impact on other ports, especially Bristol
Broadcloths continued to be exported, but the biggest change in cloth industry was the increase in cheaper fabrics such as kersey
Profits of the cloth trade
Didn’t always find their way into English profits
70% of cloth exports were transported by English merchants from the 1550s
The woollen industry grew in the first half of the sixteenth centurt to keep pace with increasing demands of exports and profit rates
Effectiveness of the woollen industry
Ability of cloth trade to supply its markets depended on effectiveness of the woollen industry
Woollen industry grew in first half of 16th century
Work and employment in the cloth industry was not always secure and could lead to poverty
However entrepreneurial clothiers could aquire wealth from the industry
Mining industry
Some growth in the mining industry
Cornish tin remained a prize export
Lead in the Pennines and coal mining in the northeast was growing in importance
Newcastle supplied an increasingly important London market by the sea
Blast furnaces produced increasing amount of iron ore in Kent
However upsurge in iron ore smelting is later - only just started in Henry’s reign