 During the Roman occupation of the British Isles , a large wool processing factory was established in Winchester , England in about 50 AD . By 1000 AD , England and Spain were recognized as the twin centers of sheep production in the Western world . As the original breeders of the fine @-@ wooled merino sheep that have historically dominated the wool trade , the Spanish gained great wealth . Wool money largely financed Spanish rulers and thus the voyages to the New World by conquistadors . The powerful Mesta ( its full title was Honrado Concejo de la Mesta , the Honorable Council of the Mesta ) was a corporation of sheep owners mostly drawn from Spain 's wealthy merchants , Catholic clergy and nobility that controlled the merino flocks . By the 17th century , the Mesta held upwards of two million head of merino sheep . 
