the kingdom about four hundred and thousand pounds of our present money,
instead of six millions, which is an extravagant sum. Even the former
sum is so high, as to afford a suspicion of some mistake in the
computation of the parliament with regard to the number of sacks
exported. Such mistakes were very usual in those ages.

Edward endeavored to introduce and promote the woolen manufacture,
by giving protection and encouragement to foreign weavers,[*] and by
enacting a law, which prohibited every one from wearing any cloth but of
English fabric.[*] The parliament prohibited the exportation of woollen
goods, which was not so well judged, especially while the exportation
of unwrought wool was so much allowed and encouraged. A like injudicious
law was made against the exportation of manufactured iron.[**]

It appears from a record in the exchequer, that in 1354 the exports of
England amounted to two hundred and ninety-four thousand one hundred
and eighty-four pounds seventeen shillings and twopence; the imports to
thirty-eight thousand nine hundred and seventy pounds three shillings
and sixpence, money of that time. This is a great balance, considering
that it arose wholly from the exportation of raw wool and other rough
materials. The import was chiefly linen and fine cloth, and some wine.
England seems to have been extremely drained at this time by Edward's
foreign expeditions and foreign subsidies, which probably was the reason
why the exports so much exceed the imports.

The first toll we read of in England for mending the highways, was
imposed in this reign: it was that for repairing the road between St.
Giles's and Temple Bar.[***]

In the first of Richard II., the parliament complain extremely of
the decay of shipping during the preceding reign, and assert that one
seaport formerly contained more vessels than were then to be found in
the whole kingdom. This calamity they ascribe to the arbitrary seizure
of ships by Edward for the service of his frequent expeditions.[****]
The parliament in the fifth of Richard renew the same complaint;[*****]
and we likewise find it made in the forty-sixth of Edward III.

* 11 Edward III. cap. 5. Rymer, vol. iv. p. 723. Murimuth p.
88.

** 11 Edward III. cap. 2.

*** 28 Edward III. cap. 5.

**** Rymer, vol. v. p. 520.

***** Cotton, p. 155, 164.

So false is the common opinion that this reign was favorable to
commerce.

There is an order