On May 19, 1660, the British Parliament enacted legislation that severely restricted the export of Irish wool. This act was a significant blow to the burgeoning Irish wool industry, which had been a key component of the Irish economy. The prohibition aimed to protect England's own wool trade from Irish competition, forcing Irish producers to sell their raw wool exclusively to England at disadvantageous prices. This policy was one of many mercantilist measures designed to subordinate the Irish economy to English interests, contributing to long-standing economic grievances and fostering resentment among the Irish population.
