Kings & rulers > History of the reign of the Emperor Charles V. > Volume 1

A VIEW OF THE
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fuch new and in creating demands for commodi¬
ties of every kind, that it excited among the
inhabitants of the Netherlands a more vigorous
fpirit in carrying on the two great manufactures
of wool and flax, which feem to have been con-
fiderable in that country as early as the age of
Charlemagne. As Bruges became the centre
of communication between the Lombard and
Hanfeatic merchants, the Flemings traded with
both in that city to fuch extent as well as ad¬
vantage, as fpread among them a general habit
of induftry, which long rendered Flanders and
the adjacent provinces the moll opulent, the
moll populous, and bell cultivated countries in
Europe.
Struck with the flourilhing Hate of thefe pro¬
vinces, of which he difcerned the true caufe,
Edward III. of England endeavoured to excite a
fpirit of indultry among his own fubjecls, who,
blind to the advantages of their fituation, and
ignorant of the fource from which opulence was
deltined to flow into their country, were fo little
attentive to their commercial intereils, as hardly
to attempt thofe manufactures, the materials of
which they furnilhed to foreigners. By alluring
Flemilh artifans to fettle in his dominions, as well
as by many wife laws for the encouragement and
regulation of trade, Edward gave a beginning to
the woollen manufactures of England, and Aril
turned the aftive and enterpriling genius of his
people towards thofe arts which have railed tire
Englilh to the highell rank among commercial
nations.
This increafe of commerce, and of intercourfe
between nations, how inconliderable foever it
may