Weaving

Coggeshall Museum

Weaving in Coggeshall

In the museum there is a working wool loom on which demonstrations are given and there is the opportunity to try your hand at weaving. This page shows some of the items used in the weaving trade and gives a brief history of the weaving of wool, silk and velvet in Coggeshall.

Above: The loom in the museum

Material being made on the loom and a shuttle

A loom weight

Jack Thornton, who restored the loom to working order weaving in the museum. Jack demonstrates weaving on the loom regularly and encourages visitors to 'have a go!'

.Jack has written a general history of weaving which can be reached here- just click the button

The History of Weaving in Coggeshall

Although weaving had been carried on for centuries by women to clothe their families, Coggeshall's history of weaving of any note began in 1140 with the foundation of a large Cistercian abbey by King Stephen's queen, Matilda. The monks were extensively sheep farmers and this promoted the wool and cloth trade from the 15th to the mid-18th century on which Coggeshall's prosperity was based. During this time the town rose to prominence and was one of the most industrial towns in Essex, famed on the Continent for a type of cloth called Coggeshall Whites. This prosperity has left a rich legacy of timber-framed houses and Coggeshall has almost 300 "listed" buildings. Probably the finest bequest from the wool years is the large 15th century cathedral-style church of St.Peter-ad-Vincula built with wool merchant's money, most notably the Paycocke family whose own fine 16th Century house is a prominent landmark in the town.

On the right are the images of John and Joan Paycocke taken from brass rubbings. The Paycocke brasses can be seen in the parish church.

For a history of the Paycocke family and a look at the house, just click the picture on the left. It will take you to the guided walk on Coggeshall2003 - the other site maintained by the museum.

Following the demise of the wool trade the first half of the 19th century was given over to the manufacture of silk and velvet, and during this period well over half the population was engaged in these flourishing cottage industries. John Hall owned the biggest silk mill in Coggeshall and in 1860 was said to have employed over 700 people in his mill. However the Free Trade Act was passed which allowed imports to come into the country free of duty which had a devastating effect on the local economy. Hall ceased production in 1863, re-opened in 1865 but ownership soon passed to Stephen Brown. In 1877 silk production ceased and Hall’s former premises closed for the last time.

Velvet shears. They have a cranked handle to avoid touching the 'pile'

A velvet cutter

The Musts, the last Coggeshall velvet weavers, at their looms in their home in Tilkey

The weaving of velvet was a highly skilled occupation and the picture above right shows Mr and Mrs Must, the last of Coggeshall's velvet weavers. They wove some of the blue and crimson silk velvet for the Coronations of both Edward Vlll and George V and it took them about a week to weave 4 yards (3.6metres). They were paid 4/6d (about 23p) per yard.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws