England experienced a substantial income of trade under Henry VII.
Merchants worked in various trading companies each specialising in particular commodities. Mercers were associated with silk, Grocers with spies, Merchant Adventurers with woollen cloth and Merchant Staplers with raw wool.
Merchants demonstrated their status through building magnificent town houses, wearing fine cloth and where the could invest in land.
During the 15th Century they organised themselves into groups and became known as the Merchant Adventurers. They dominated the local trade and became a powerful political lobby group.
In 1502, Henry granted the Merchant Adventurers of London a charter that allowed them to appoint a governor and 24 assistances to support their organisation.