Wool Act 1662

Recital that Sheep Wool, &c. have been exported contrary to Law, and that great Mischief has arisen therefrom.

Exporting Sheep, Wool, Woolfells, &c. Fullers Earth, &c. or loading for Exportation.; Felony.

WHEREAS against the Lawes of this Kingdome great number of Sheep and great quantities of Wooll Woolfels Mortlings Shorlings Yarn made of Wool Woolflocks Fullers Earth or Fulling Clay are secretly exported transported carried and conveyed out of the Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales the Towne of Berwicke upon Tweed and Kingdome of Ireland into the Kingdom of Scotland and into Forreigne parts to the great decay of the Woollen Manufactures the ruine of many Families and the destruction of the Navigation and Commerce of the Kingdoms Town and Dominion aforesaid which is like dayly to encrease if some further remedy be not provided and further penalties imposed upon the Offenders therein. Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporall and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same That if any person or persons shall from and after the First day of August One thousand six hundred sixty and two directly or indirectly export transport carry or convey or shall cause to be exported transported carried or conveyed out of or from the Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales or Town of Berwick upon Tweed or after the First day of January One thousand six hundred sixty and two out of the Kingdome of Ireland into any parts or places out of the Kingdomes or Dominion aforesaid or into the Kingdome of Scotland any Sheepe or Wool whatsoever of the breed or growth of the Kingdomes or Dominion aforesaid or any Woolfells Mortlings Shorlings Yarn made of Wool Wool flocks or any Fullers Earth or Fulling Clay whatsoever or shall directly or indirectly pack or load or cause to be packed or loaden upon any Horse Cart or other Carriage or shall load or lay on board or cause to be loaden or laid on board in any Ship or other Vessel in any place within the Kingdomes of England or Ireland Dominion of Wales or Towne of Berwick upon Tweed aforesaid any such Sheep Wooll Woolfels Mortlings Shorlings Yarn made of Wooll Woolflocks Fullers Earth or Fulling Clay to the intent or purpose to export transport carry or convey the same or to cause the same to bee exported transported carryed or conveyed out of the Kingdomes of England or Ireland the Dominion of Wales or Town of Berwicke upon Tweed aforesaid into the Kingdome of Scotland or into any Forreign parts that then every such Offence shall be adjudged Felony and the Offender or Offenders being duly convicted shall suffer and forfeit as in case of Felony