Abstract
The article deals with the peculiarity of economic structure of Norwich in the 17th century. The leading branch of industry in the city was the textile, which accounted for almost 1/2 of the total labor force of Norwich. More than half of them were worsted weavers. The production of new types of cloth was prospering and rapidly replaced old fabrics (stuffs) in the early 17th century. The weavers of Norwich were the main consumers of yarns from Suffolk.
There was prevalence of worsted weavers and leather workers Norwich. The same proportion was in the economic structure of the region as a whole, where this sector was leading in all cities in East England.
Norwich economy was a fairly versatile structure despite its existing specialization in the 17th century. From the point of view of the pre-industrial economy, this may be expressed by a large number of available jobs.
Population growth led to the development of so-called «service industry», which was aimed at providing citizens with all necessary things (food, water, clothing, shelter). This category of persons engaged in the provision of food and clothing was the largest after textile workers.
Like other provincial capitals, Norwich was the largest center of trade and distribution of goods in East England. The significance of trade and transport specialists emphasized that at the end of 16th century it employed 1/5 of the total workforce of the city. Norwich was an important center of the wholesale trade and the city was one of the main outlets for agricultural products in Norfolk. Internal trade held prevailing position in Norwich, especially in the second half of 17th century.
The economic success of Norwich in the 17th century was primarily based on developed agriculture of the region and prosperous cloth-production in the rural areas surrounding the city.
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