The great Venetian merchant-galleys touched the southern coasts and left in our ports the dates of Egypt, the figs and currants of Greece, the silk of Sicily, the sugar of Cyprus and Crete, the spices of the Eastern seas.

Capital too came from abroad.

The bankers of Florence and Lucca were busy with loans to the court or vast contracts with the wool-growers.

The bankers of Cahors had already dealt a death-blow to the usury of the Jew.

Against all this England had few exports to set.