THE ESSEX WOOL TRADE.
155
marshland type, is interesting in that it offers a partial explanation
for certain farming changes observable in the County between
1274 and 1340. Information about the size of holdings at
the former date can be obtained from a subsidy levied in Essex.
Whilst probably not including every land-holder it gives some
indication of the relative sizes of holdings and it is clear that the
largest were to be found in the south and south-east of the
County. It will be recalled that these districts were those
showing a large sheep population in the eleventh century. How-
ever, less than a hundred years later—in 1340—a further subsidy
indicated a change in the size of holdings in at least one area.
The north and north-east now also show evidence of very large
holdings. It will be realised that this district includes the
CLOTH TRADE C. 1400.
Fig. 3.
heathland region around Colchester and Coggeshall referred to
by Norden as providing the best wool in Essex. It therefore
seems very probable that the localisation of the wool trade in
the north-east by 1200 A.D. had already had repercussions
on the agriculture of the surrounding area. No doubt enclo-
sures for sheep farming were proceeding apace, and it will be
realised that the type of holding probably existing in this part
of the County would not greatly impede this process.
Further evidence exists to support the view that the estab-
lishment of the woollen trade in the north-east of the County
took place at an early date. In figure 3 are shown those parishes
in Essex wherein the place name "tenterfield" occurs.3 The
3 Lists in Trans. Essex Arch. Soc., N.S. 6-9. with additions by writer.