There they
still survive under the name of the "City Companies."

275. The Wool Trade.

Under Edward III a flourishing trade in wool grew up between England
and Flanders. The manufacture of fine woolen goods was also greatly
extended in England. All commerce at this period was limited to
certain market towns called "staples."

To these places produce and all other goods for export had to be
carried in order that the government might collect duty on them before
they were sent out of the country. If an Englishman carried goods
abroad and sold them in the open market without first paying a tax to
the Crown, he was liable to the punishment of death. Imports also
paid duties.

276. The Great Strike.

The scarcity of laborers caused by the ravages of the Black Death
caused a general strike for higher wages on the part of free
workingmen, and also induced thousands of villeins to run away from
their masters, in order to get work on their own account. The general
uprising which a heavy poll tax caused among the villeins (S150), or
farm laborers, and other workingmen, though suppressed at the time,
led to the ultimate emancipation of the villeins by a gradual process
extending through many generations.

VI. Mode of Life, Manners, and Customs

277. Dress; Furniture.

During most of this period great luxury in dress prevailed among the
rich and noble. Silks, velvets, scarlet cloth, and cloth of gold were
worn by both men and women. At one time the lords and gallants at
court wore shoes with points curled up like rams' horns and fastened
to the knee with silver chains.

Attempts were made by the government to abolish this and other
ridiculous fashions, and also to regulate the cost of dress according
to the rank and means of the wearer; but the effort met with small
success. Even the rich at this time had but little furniture in their
houses, and chairs were almost unknown. The floors of houses were
strewn with rushes, which, as they were rarely changed, became
horribly filthy, and were a prolific cause of sickness.

278. The Streets; Amusements; Profanity.

The streets of London and other cities were rarely more than twelve or
fifteen feet wide. They were neither paved nor lighted. Pools of
stagnant water and heaps of refuse abounded. There was no sewage.
The only scavengers were the crows. The houses were of timber and
plaster, with projecting stories, and destructive fires were common.
The chief amus