Dictionary

woolmonger en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English wollemongere; equivalent to wool + monger.

Meanings

1. A retailer of wool.
   • In 1264, the besieged city was taken by the stratagem of Sir J. Giffard, and Sir J. de Balun, who gained an entrance at the west gate, disguised as woolmongers, then throwing off their large Welsh cloaks, and appearing in complete armour, the terrified wardens delivered up the keys; 1826, Griffith’s New Historical Description of Cheltenham and Its Vicinity, London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green, page 150:
   • At the heart of the city trade were its Tower and Billingsgate families of woolmongers, the Turgys, Brothers, Uptons and Beauflours, solidly placed among the fifty sacks a year men, paying substantial taxes and serving on councils. 1963, Gwyn A. Williams, Medieval London, page 115:
   • […]and the Clothier is made Creditor in Account for ſo much as he ſold for to the ſaid Merchant, then ſuch Cloathier having occaſion to pay money to a Stapler or Woolmonger for Wool, he doth buy of him, ſo the said Clothier is made Debtor, and the Woolmonger Creditor in Account: the ſaid Woolmonger hath bought his Wool of a Countrey Farmer, and muſt pay him for it, ſo the Woolmonger is made Debtor, and the Farmer Creditor:[…] 1657, Samuell Lambe, Seasonable Observations Humbly Offered to His Highness the Lord Protector, pages 12–13:
   • Merchants were common among the early Londoners of Suffolk origin, especially mercers (a dozen), burellers, pepperers, woolmongers, vintners, skinners.[…]The export of wool was largely carried on via London, and many woolmongers would find it convenient to settle there. 1956, Eilert Ekwall, Studies on the Population of Medieval London, pages XLVIII and LXVIII:
   • Because the woolmongers and usurers are not directly in the hands of the millowners; but the working men are. 1952, Ernest Jones: Chartist, page 206:

Forms