Kersey (cloth)

Kersey (cloth)

Kersey is a kind of coarse woollen cloth.

It derives its name from the village of Kersey, Suffolk, having presumably originated in that region. However the cloth was made in many places. By 1475, the West Riding of Yorkshire including Calderdale was also a major producer. Kersey was a lighter weight cloth than broadcloth. English kerseys were widely exported to central Europe, [D. C. Coleman, "The Economy of England 1450-1750" (Oxford University Press, 1977), 53-4 77 78. ] and other places. For example, a business letter [Letter dated June 26th, 1578, from John Withal in Santos, Brazil, to Mr Richard Staper, excerpted in Richard Hakluyt (ed. Jack Beeching), "Voyages and Discoveries", (Penguin Press, 1972) 196.] from the end of the 16th century recommends to trade kerseys for good wine on the Canary Islands.

Notes

External resources

* [http://www.pilgrimhall.org/textileterms.htm Textile terms]
* [http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/timeline/1400_1500/1400_1500_6.html Calderdale site]


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