CHAP. V. THE POET CHAUCER. 73 passed in court were still taken and published in A.D.1362. French, and so continued for hundreds of years after." the Poetry." It is impossible to quit this account of the first legal recognition and command of the use of the English language without taking some further, though but slight, notice of the "Father of English Poetry." Chaucer Chaucer was born in 1328, and is believed to have "Father of died in 1400. His great poem, "The Canterbury English Tales," was not, it is true, written until the middle of the reign of Richard II., and it is to his reign therefore that Chaucer properly belongs. But Chaucer was writing his immortal verse in the English tongue at the time when the Statute commanding its use was enacted. A passing tribute therefore, even if somewhat anticipating time, is due to him, who, in conjunction with his contemporaries Longland, the author of "the Vision of Piers Ploughman," and John Gower, the author of the "Confessio Amantis," was building up the English language; and who is the earliest English poet whose writings can still be read with pleasure, and understood without trouble. He is justly called "The Homer of his country." Other important laws and regulations relating to Other laws trade, and to the manners and customs of the people lations. were made about this time, of which it is desirable to give some account before resuming the narrative of the more public history of the reign; for although many of them were repealed in the following year, they strikingly illustrate the times. 112 and regu terference The first of these has reference to that constant Unwise ininterference with trade, either, by protections or with trade. restrictions in favour of one or other traffic or ma 1 Reeve's English Law, vol. ii. p. 450. 2 Craik's Eng. Lit. vol. i. p. 271. A.D. 1862. nufacture, at the proportionate cost of some other; or, for regulating modes of dealing; or with a view to raising larger revenues for the King personally or for the State, which was so characteristic of this reign. The true principle of trade, viz.: to allow any man to buy and sell as he pleases so long as he does so honestly, was not then understood; but the constant enactments for the regulation of commerce, bear testimony to its growing importance, and to the care with which it was attempted to be fostered, although the foster child ran an imminent risk of being smothered in the process. Low price of wool One of the first matters taken into consideration by the Parliament, which met on October 13th, 1362, was the low price of wool, for which a remedy was sought by removing the staple from London to Calais. It is not easy to understand how this could have the desired effect, and it is singular that after the valid reasons given only nine years before (27 Edward III. stat. 2) for the establishment of staples within the kingdom, it should now have been decided that it was better to have them out of it. The effect indeed which staples had on commerce was evidently not clear to the legislators themselves. At the beginning of the reign, however, either sounder views were entertained relative to them, or it had not then become necessary to sacrifice commerce to revenue. They were then said to be contrary to the principles of Magna Charta, and were abolished in order "that all merchants strangers and privy may go and come with their merchandises into England, after the tenor of the Great Charter." The merchants presented a petition to the King, stating that whereas 1 Stat. 2 Ed. III. c. 9. CHAP. V. EXPORT OF WOOLS AND WOOLFELLS ALLOWED. 75 "the wools of the kingdom are put at little value, as much because they are taken out of the kingdom into another Seignory or Power where our Lord the King has no jurisdiction, as for exchange of money and its debasement, it would be good to remedy it, and that the city of Calais, which belongs to the King, would be a good place for the wools and for the abode of the Merchants to avoid the aforesaid mischiefs and damages, and by which the price of wools will be amended and enhanced." In answer to this petition, the King promised "to show these things more openly to the Great Men and the Commons and take their advice thereon," and the staple was consequently removed to Calais on the 1st of March following; but before three years had elapsed this policy was reversed.2 A.D. 1362. to be re medied by removal of staple to Calais. wool, &c., granted In this Parliament, notwithstanding that on the Export of 27th of September the export of wools and woolfells because of had been absolutely forbidden,3 leave was given "that subsidy the merchants denizens may pass with their wools as thereon, well as the Foreigners without being restrained." The object of this alteration was palpable; for the reason given for it was, that the King had "regard to the great subsidy which the Commons have granted, now in this Parliament, of wools, leather, and woolfells, to be taken for three years."4 The duty to be levied was 20s. for each sack of wool, 20s. for each 300 woolfells, and 40s. for each last of leather exported; in addition to the ancient duty of a half mark from Denizens and 10s. from Aliens, for each sack of wool, and for each 300 woolfells, and of one mark for each last of leather from Denizens, and 20s. from Aliens.5 The export 1 Rot. Parl. vol. ii. p. 268. 2 See Preamble of Stat. 43 Ed. III. 4 Stat. 36 Ed. III. c. 11. 3 Rymer, vol. iii. p. 677. 5 Rot. Parl. vol. ii. p. 273. |