Cloth, and all manner of woollen stuffs, were the principal articles of Flemish production, and it was chiefly from England that Flanders drew her supply of Wool, the raw material of her industry.
Thence arose between the two countries commercial relations which could not fail to acquire political importance.

As early as the middle of the twelfth century, several Flemish towns formed a society for founding in England a commercial exchange, which obtained great privileges, and, under the name of the Flemish hanse of London, reached rapid development.
The merchants of Bruges had taken the initiative in it; but soon all the towns of Flanders--and Flanders was covered with towns--Ghent, Lille, Ypres, Courtrai, Furnes, Alost, St.Omer, and Douai, entered the confederation, and made unity as well as extension of liberties in respect of Flemish commerce the object of their joint efforts.

Their prosperity became celebrated; and its celebrity gave it increase.

It was a burgher of Bruges who was governor of the hanse of London, and he was called the Count of the Hanse.

The fair of Bruges, held in the month of May, brought together traders from the whole world.