DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62931#0163
ENGLISH FABRICS
English
England early had a reputation for embroidery and the
production of woven fabrics in which linen and wool were the chief
materials used. The patterns, when not in stripes, would doubtless
consist of a repetition of small and simple geometrical figures, such
as is shown on the 12th century loom given in fig. 4, page 13.
In 1246, the embroidered orphreys of the English clergy in
Rome excited the admiration of Pope Innocent IV., who, finding they
were worked in England, is said to have exclaimed, “ Truly England
is our garden of delight, in sooth it is a well inexhaustible, and where
there is great abundance, from hence much may be extracted.”
In the 14th century mention is made of the fine woollen cloths of
Bath,Worcester, and Norwich; at that period these towns had reached a
considerable degree of importance in the production of textile fabrics.
There is no doubt that the Flemish weavers took a very
important part in the commercial life of England, and in the
industrial activities of the early English looms, for in 1343 Edward
III. granted “ protection to John de Bruyn, burgess of Ghent, now
making stay in Abyndon for the making of woollen cloths.” The
king also granted “protection to John Kemp of Flanders for the
making of cloths.” He also invited Flemish fullers and dyers to
come and settle in England.
Other towns associated with the weaving industry were
Ailesham in Lincolnshire, where, during the 14th century, excellent
linens were made ; and Worsted in Norfolk, where a fine woollen of a
peculiar hard quality was produced and used extensively for church
vestments and bed covering.
Figured fabrics of wool were also frequently used for hangings,
for the wardrobe account of Edward II. contains this item :—
“ To a mercer of London for a green hanging of wool, woven
with figures of Kings and Earls upon it, for the king’s service in his
hall on solemn feasts in London.”
In 1592 the Earl of Arundel willed to his wife “the hangings
of the Hall which was lately made in London of blue tapestry, with
red roses and the arms of my son.”
Silk weaving was established in London and Norwich during the
reign of Edward III. by Queen Phillipa of Hainault, who knew some-
thing of the advantages to be derived from this industry, and in 1455
we hear of silk throwing and weaving by a company of women called
silk women. They petitioned Parliament against the competition of
the Lombards, and an Act was passed prohibiting the import of laces,
ribbons, and such narrow fabrics as were manufactured by them.
9i
English
England early had a reputation for embroidery and the
production of woven fabrics in which linen and wool were the chief
materials used. The patterns, when not in stripes, would doubtless
consist of a repetition of small and simple geometrical figures, such
as is shown on the 12th century loom given in fig. 4, page 13.
In 1246, the embroidered orphreys of the English clergy in
Rome excited the admiration of Pope Innocent IV., who, finding they
were worked in England, is said to have exclaimed, “ Truly England
is our garden of delight, in sooth it is a well inexhaustible, and where
there is great abundance, from hence much may be extracted.”
In the 14th century mention is made of the fine woollen cloths of
Bath,Worcester, and Norwich; at that period these towns had reached a
considerable degree of importance in the production of textile fabrics.
There is no doubt that the Flemish weavers took a very
important part in the commercial life of England, and in the
industrial activities of the early English looms, for in 1343 Edward
III. granted “ protection to John de Bruyn, burgess of Ghent, now
making stay in Abyndon for the making of woollen cloths.” The
king also granted “protection to John Kemp of Flanders for the
making of cloths.” He also invited Flemish fullers and dyers to
come and settle in England.
Other towns associated with the weaving industry were
Ailesham in Lincolnshire, where, during the 14th century, excellent
linens were made ; and Worsted in Norfolk, where a fine woollen of a
peculiar hard quality was produced and used extensively for church
vestments and bed covering.
Figured fabrics of wool were also frequently used for hangings,
for the wardrobe account of Edward II. contains this item :—
“ To a mercer of London for a green hanging of wool, woven
with figures of Kings and Earls upon it, for the king’s service in his
hall on solemn feasts in London.”
In 1592 the Earl of Arundel willed to his wife “the hangings
of the Hall which was lately made in London of blue tapestry, with
red roses and the arms of my son.”
Silk weaving was established in London and Norwich during the
reign of Edward III. by Queen Phillipa of Hainault, who knew some-
thing of the advantages to be derived from this industry, and in 1455
we hear of silk throwing and weaving by a company of women called
silk women. They petitioned Parliament against the competition of
the Lombards, and an Act was passed prohibiting the import of laces,
ribbons, and such narrow fabrics as were manufactured by them.
9i