Note 235 — Chapter IV · TEXTILES.
Reading edition
A report to the council from the High Sheriff of Somerset says: “Yet I thincke it my duty to acquaynt your Lordshipps that there are such a multytude of poore cottages builte upon the highwaies and odd corners in every countrie parishe within this countye, and soe stufte with poore people that in many of those parishes there are three or fower hundred poore of men and women and children that did gett most of their lyvinge by spinnyng, carding and such imployments aboute wooll and cloath. And the deadness of that trade and want of money is such that they are for the most parte without worke, and knowe not how to live. This is a great grievance amongst us and tendeth much to mutinye.”
(S.P.D., cxxx., 73, May 14, 1622, High Sheriff of Somersetshire to the Council.)