工业化早期英国西部毛纺业的兴衰

The Rise and Fall of the Woolen Industry in West Country of England During the Proto industrialization

英格兰西部诸郡是14至16世纪英国毛纺业的主要生产中心,是英国出口的宽幅优质呢绒的主要产地。西部毛纺业主要是乡村毛纺业。在西部毛纺业中,还较早出现了包买商制度和集中手工工场这些新的生产组织。然而,这个英国"原工业化"的先锋在迈向工业革命的进程中却失败了。由于羊毛供应不足和羊毛质量变差,以及东部地区新呢绒工业的竞争,西部毛纺业从17世纪后期开始走向衰落。它没有引导西部继续向工业化挺进,也未能根据形势变化而转变发展方向、找到新的经济生长点。这个中世纪晚期英格兰最富裕的地区之一,从18世纪起却成为英格兰最不富裕的地区之一。英国西部毛纺业的跌宕命运,值得我们对"原工业化"论题作多向度反思。

The West Country was the main center of English woolen industry from the 14th century to the 16th century,and it was the main production area of the broadcloths for exporting.The woolen industry of West Country was developed mainly in rural areas.Here the new industrial organizations such as domestic system and manufactory emerged earlier than other places.Nevertheless,the pioneer of Proto-industrialization in England failed in stepping on the path of the industrial revolution.Because of the insufficient wool supply,the worsening wool quality and the competition of 'new draperies' industry in eastern England,the woolen industry of West Country had declined from the late seventeenth century on.It did not lead the local areas to industrialization and develop the new economical growing point.So West Country,once the richest area of England in later middle Ages,had become one of the poorest ones in England from the 18th century to present day.The downward destiny of the woolen industry of West Country is a negative example that inspires one to rethink the theme of Proto-industrialization.