Cloth Trade Research UK 15-17 Century

The mercery trade had an important position in the economy and oversea trade of Britain, but the road of its development had twists and turns. The growth of Britain mercery trade, not only depended on the historical condition at that time, but related to generations of mercers who devoted themselves to the domestic and oversea business positively and opened up oversea markets bravely. Studying on the economic process of the mercery trade, still can catch a glimpse of the whole country’s economy and the change tendency of commerce, which was inevitable.In addition to foreword and epilogue, the thesis is divided into three parts.The first chapter "the mercery trade of Britain", mainly introduces the cloth trade, silk trade, linen trade and many other mercery trades. The wide use and inducible profit attracted a large number of English merchants and alien merchants to join the trade, and they made new import and export trade record. Certainly, its development course was not very smooth as a result of the influences of circumstances at home and abroad.The second chapter "the main part of mercer trade, mercers", mainly analyzes all kinds of mercers from different classes. The discussion includes how the alien flopped from being powerful and domestic mercers explored various ways to be powerful. At that time, commercial enterprises were established one after another and vast oversea markets were opened up constantly.The third chapter "the mercery trade and the society and economy of Britain" explores the impacts on Britain economy and social life which was made by mercery trade. In the process of setting up commercial empire, mercery trade acted as a pioneer, and the fabric trade network which took London as its axis appeared which promoted the formation of integral domestic market and the changes of clothes fashion and consumption level.