The Agrarian economy and the Cloth Trade

• What type of economy did Henry VII inherit after the Black Death?

  A recovering economy
• What were the effects of Henry VII's reign on the economy?

  It marked an increase in economic stability and population growth
• What was the population of England by the early 15th century?

  Approximately 2.2 million
• Which urban center had a population of 50,000 during this period?

  London
• What were the major industries in cities during this time?

  Wool and cloth production, metalworking, leatherworking, shipbuilding, and paper manufacturing
• What was the dominant sector of England's economy?

  Agriculture
• How did the Black Death impact income from land?

  Income from land had declined due to population losses
• What economic recovery began in the 1490s?

  The economy began to recover as population growth supported increased production
• What shift occurred in farming practices during this period?

  There was a shift to sheep farming as crop farming became less profitable
• What are the two regional farming zones in England?

  Lowland zones and highland zones
• What type of farming was focused on in highland zones?

  Pastoral farming
• What was the problem associated with enclosure?

  It involved converting common land into privately owned fields
• What type of farming was dominant in lowland zones?

  Mixed farming
• How did enclosure impact peasant farmers?

  Many lost access to land, leading to displacement and migration
• In which region was enclosure particularly common?

  The Midlands
• What legal policies did Henry VII implement regarding enclosures?

  He balanced landowner profits with peasant welfare
• What percentage of England's exports was the cloth trade responsible for?

  About 90%
• What effect did the Intercursus Magnus of 1496 have on cloth exports?

  It boosted cloth exports by 60%
• What shift occurred in the export of wool during Henry VII's reign?

  There was a shift from raw wool to woolen cloth production
• What new commercial enterprises developed in the cloth trade?

  Weaving, fulling, and dyeing
• How did the cloth trade expansion affect urban growth?

  It led to the growth of cities like London, Norwich, and York
• What was the role of the Merchant Adventurers?

  They managed and promoted England’s wool and cloth exports
• What was the Hanseatic League?

  A major trade network in Northern Europe
• How did the Hanseatic League influence trade dynamics?

  It competed with English merchants
• What was the population of England at the beginning of the 15th century?

  Approximately 2.2 million
• What was the majority demographic of the population in England during the 15th century?

  Most were countryside dwellers
• What was the population of London during the 15th century?

  50,000 dwellers
• Which industries were prominent in urban areas like London, Bristol, York, and Coventry?

  Wool and cloth were the main industries
• What caused the decline in income from land after the Black Death?

  Mass casualties led to a decline in income from land
• What was the state of England's economy in the 15th century?

  It was heavily agrarian
• Why were the 1490s considered a time of economic recovery?

  Due to an increase in population and production
• What type of farming increased due to the profitability of sheep farming?

  Sheep farming
• What problem did Henry VII face regarding land use?

  Enclosure
• What are highland zones known for in England?

  Pastoral farming
• What was the traditional farming system before enclosure?

  The open-field system
• Where was enclosure most frequently occurring?

  In the Midlands
• What was the consequence of enclosure for peasant farmers?

  They lost their land and livelihood
• What percentage of English exports was the cloth trade responsible for?

  Approximately 90%
• What was the result of signing the Intercursus Magnus in 1496?

  A 60% increase in cloth exports
• What did Henry VII incentivize in the cloth trade?

  The production and export of woolen cloth