medieval-atlas/economic-development/242

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Overseas trade: the Middle Ages to the sixteenth century By the time of the earliest surviving customs data the Scottish economy was already in a state of transition, precipitated by the Wars ofIndependence. Berwick, Aberdeen and Perth (in that order) had earlier been the major exporting burghs. Until 1333 it seemed probable that Berwick and Aberdeen would remain pre-eminent, although Dundee had overtaken Perth and Edinburgh had become Wool WooIfeIIs an irritating rival to Berwick. The second Wars of Independence transformed the situation by eliminating Berwick, providing new opportunities for numerous minor burghs, notably Linlithgow and Haddington, but Edinburgh was the main beneficiary. Wool was much the most important export throughout the period, but in those burghs funnelling the trade of the Highlands and the west cowhides were also an important factor. Overseas trade: burghs' share of customs: fourteenth century There was a marked slump in the wool trade at the end of the fourwas consolidating its position as the economic capital of Scoiland; teenth century and only a temporary recovery thereafter, under while Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth and, most spectacularly, Linlithgow lames I. The wool trade was increasingly concentrated in Lothian all declined. Aberdeen compensated to some extent by an increase and, by the later fifteenth century, mainly in Edinburgh. Edinburgh in salmon exporting, and Dundee by developing its cloth trade. Wool WooIfeIIs Skins Salmon 1425-31 1475-79 Overseas trade: burghs' share of customs: fifteenth century The sixteenth century saw the continuing consolidation of Edinsurge in the last years of lames V's reign), there was a sharp decline burgh in most sectors of the export trade, at its greatest in wool, in the trading activities of a number of towns, like Haddington and cloth, hides and woolfells. As a result both of this and the continuLinlithgow, and decay in the case of others such as Perth and Stir ing stagnation of overseas trade until the late 1570s (despite a brief ling. The increase in overseas markets·for the fisheries, however, Wool Woolfells Hides Skins Overseas trade: burghs' share of customs: sixteenth century ML,ASt 242

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