ABSTRACT
Calais in the twentieth century is a typical port and manufacturing town of modern times, with its extensive harbour, partly of natural formation partly of special construction. On the 3rd of December, 1347, Edward III confirmed the charter of the Countess of Artois, which described the laws and constitution previously to the conquest. In the early part of 1363 the great staple for wool, woolfells and leather, which had been removed from the continent to England in 1353, was established at Calais. In the parliament of 1372 the burgesses of Calais made numerous petitions to the king. In 1369, on the petition of parliament, the staple was removed from Calais, on account of the risk to the goods at sea, as a result of the renewed outbreak of war with France. In December of 1376 there is again a reference to Calais as the staple for all exports from England, with the exception of a few specified articles.
