Enforcing of the former Prohibition Acts by a late one made in the 10th year of his Present Majesty. Secondly, the Lace which used to come for England is but a small part of their [Flanders] whole Lace-Trade, for they send it to Holland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, etc., whereas we make it chiefly to serve our own Country and Plantations. ... The Lace Manufacture in England is the greatest next to the Woollen and maintains a multitude of People, which otherwise the Parishes must, and that would soon prove a heavy burthen, even to those concerned in the Woollen Manufacture ... on the Resolution which shall be taken in this affair depends the Well-being or ruin of numerous families in their own Country. Many laws have been made to set our Poor on Work and it is to be hoped none will be made to take away work from Multitudes who are already Employed.” Here follows the numbers of the people in a few places which get their living by making of lace. Those quoted in Devonshire as interesting to compare with the present day are:— Gittesham 139 Culliton 353 Coumbraleigh 65 Northleigh 32 Sidmouth 302 Axmouth 73 Sidbury 321 Buckerall 90 Farway 70 Upotery 118 Shut and Musbery 25 Southley 45 Fennyton 60 Branscombe Beare and Seaton 326 Widworthy and Offerell 128 Broad Hembury 118 Honyton 1,341 Luppit 215 Axminster 60 Otrey St. Mary 814 Shut and Musbery 25 The Dragoons suppressing Monmouth’s Rebellion in 1680 are stated to have despoiled the poor lacemakers greatly, and at Colyton broke into the house of a dealer in bone lace, Burd by name, and stole his goods to the value of £325. The trade was still advancing when Defoe wrote in 1724:— The valuable manufactures of Lace, for which the inhabitants of Devon have long been conspicuous, are extending now from Exmouth to Torbay.