's
title to the crown.(291)

(M184)

Before setting sail for England, Edward despatched a letter (3rd April),
"to his well-beloved, the mayor, barons, and reputable men of London,"
thanking them for the preparations he understood they were making for the
ceremony of his coronation, and bidding them send a deputation of four of
the more discreet of the citizens, to him at Paris, for the purpose of a
special conference.(292)

(M185)

The difficulty which gave rise to this conference and to the signal mark
of distinction bestowed upon the citizens of London, proved to be of a
commercial character, and, as such, one upon which the opinions of the
leading merchants of London would be of especial value. Ever since the
year 1270, the commercial relationship between England and Flanders had
been strained. The Countess of Flanders had thought fit to lay hands upon
the wool and other merchandise belonging to English merchants found within
her dominions, and to appropriate the same to her own use. Edward's
predecessor on the throne had thereupon issued a writ to the mayor and
sheriffs of London, forbidding in future the export of wool to any parts
beyond sea whatsoever,(293) but this measure not having the desired
effect, he shortly afterwards had recourse to reprisals.

On the 28th June, 1270, a writ had been issued to the same parties
ordering them to seize the goods of all Flemings, Hainaulters, and other
subjects of the Countess, for the purpose of satisfying the claims of
English merchants; and all subjects of the Countess, except those workmen
who had received express permission to come to England for the purpose of
making cloth, and those who had taken to themselves English wives, and had
obtained a domicile in this country, were to quit the realm by a certain
date.(294) Those Flemings who neglected this injunction were to be seized
and kept in custody until further orders, and the same measures were to be
taken with those who harboured them. In the meantime, an inquisition was
ordered to be made as to the amount and value of the goods seized by the
Countess, and the English merchants were to lodge their respective claims
for compensation.

(M186)

The interruption of trade between England--at that time the chief
wool-exporting country in the world--and Flanders where the cloth-working
industry especially flourished, caused much tribulation; and the King of
France, the Duke of Brabant, and other foreign potentates,