From the history of wool in England

1. Sheep's wool has long been used as a textile fibre and of course, the skins from these animals were used for clothing for a still longer time. Sheep have been raised in practically every country, and the wool fibre is easy to work into textile products.

2. The ancient Romans were skillful in spinning and
weaving wool, and it is from them that the people of North­ern Europe learned the art. The art of wool weaving is known to come to the British Isles from the Romans. In the fourth century of our era Roman soldiers in Great Britain started a wool-weaving factory at the British town of Winchester to supply themselves with clothing.

3. It is from this factory that the native population of Great Britain learned the full value of wool, and began to spin and weave it for themselves.

4. Mediaeval Britain was already famous for wool. At first, it was a large exporter of raw wool and, later, it became an exporter of woolen textiles.

5. It is believed that Great Britain owed its wealth to wool which was manufactured into cloth at home and was not allowed to be exported to other countries as raw material. Eyen now the Lord Chancellor of England has his seat in Parliament on the wool sack, and this shows the importance of wool in the history of England.

Exercise 12. Answer the questions:

1. Haw long has sheep’s wool been used as a textile fibre?

2. Is the wool fibre easy to work into textile products?

3. From where has the art of wool weaving come to the British Isles?

4. From whom did the people of Northern Europe learn the art of wool weaving?

5. What did the Roman soldiers start in Great Britain?

6. Was medieval Britain famous for wool?

7. Why has the Lord Chancellor of England his seat in Parliament on the wool sack even now?