Wool and Cloth Trade

The wool and cloth trade was a vital part of medieval commerce, particularly in Europe. Sheep wool was a key material, especially valued in England. Local farmers would shear sheep and sell the wool to cloth makers who transformed it into textiles. These textiles were traded across regions, creating a lucrative industry. Towns like Florence and Ghent became famous for their high-quality cloth. This trade not only boosted economies but also shaped social structures, as wealth from cloth production contributed to the rise of merchant classes and the growth of towns in the Middle Ages.