The Importation Act 1455 (33 Henry VI c. 5) was an
act of the
Parliament
In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...
of
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
passed during the reign of
Henry VI.
In 1455, London
silkwomen complained that the
Lombards
The Lombards () or Langobards ( la, Langobardi) were a Germanic people who ruled most of the Italian Peninsula from 568 to 774.
The medieval Lombard historian Paul the Deacon wrote in the ''History of the Lombards'' (written between 787 and ...
were importing "ribbands and chains, falsely and deceitfully wrought, all manner girdles and other things concerning the said mistery and occupation, in no manner wise bringing in any good silk unwrought as they were wont to bring heretofore". Parliament therefore passed the Importation Act 1455 prohibiting the importation of these goods, with punishments of forfeiture and considerable fines.
[William Cunningham, ''The Growth of English Industry and Commerce during the Early and Middle Ages. Fifth Edition'' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1915), p. 429.]
Notes
Acts of the Parliament of England
1450s in law
1455 in England
Protectionism
{{England-statute-stub