The Heritage of Britain’s Wool Industry

The wool industry is one woven into the history and heritage of the UK, particularly East Anglia. 

From the first Bronze Age settlers and Roman Britain to Tudor times and the Victorian era, wool has taken centre stage. It’s no surprise we see the impact of the industry in villages and buildings across the county.

Today, the use of wool isn’t as widespread as we think it should be at Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. Wool is a wonderful fibre with myriad benefits. Perhaps the key to loving wool as much as we do is understanding its importance in our local Norfolk communities and beyond.

Origins of the English Wool Trade

The wool industry is one woven into the history and heritage of the UK, particularly East Anglia.

From the first Bronze Age settlers and Roman Britain to Tudor times and the Victorian era, wool has taken centre stage. It’s no surprise we see the impact of the industry in villages and buildings across the county.

Today, the use of wool isn’t as widespread as we think it should be at Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. Wool is a wonderful fibre with myriad benefits. Perhaps the key to loving wool as much as we do is understanding its importance in our local Norfolk communities and beyond.

Why Was Wool So Important?

Apart from monetary wealth, the wool industry allowed English society to prosper through multiculturalism, architecture and warfare.

Exporting to Europe began during the 8th century and peaked during the 13th. Export taxes helped fund wars with France and invited others to engage with our weaving industry. Waves of skilled Flemish cloth weavers (from Flanders, Belgium) established themselves in Wales, northern counties and East Anglia. At this time, Norwich was our second city after London, a wealthy and influential destination. 

Fun fact: Norwich City F.C.’s Canaries nickname originates with the canaries that Norfolk-based weavers kept during this time.

It was the trade routes set up in southern and eastern towns that had the most to gain. Do the names Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft ring any bells?

Into East Anglia: Norfolk’s Woolly History

Unlike the West Country, Lancashire and Yorkshire, East Anglia had to take a different approach to weaving. These other areas thrived from their landscape- hydropower from soft water flowing in the hills. But as we know, Norfolk is flat, the land of wide-open skies and field-filled horizons.

The solution? Worsted wool. Named after the Norfolk village of Worstead, it’s a process that requires less water where wool is washed and combed instead.

This was our county’s signature. Worsted wool is high-quality, most often used for precise tailoring of suits. Worsted wool was blended with mohair, linen and silk, the latter two being fine natural fibres we blend in our own luxurious Sandringham wool mattress collection. Combined with Dutch and Flemish craftsmanship and dyed an unmistakable eye-catching shade of red from the madder plant, Norfolk’s ‘Norwich stuffs’ were renowned and traded worldwide. 

As the Industrial Revolution took hold in the 18th and 19th centuries, Yorkshire became the main hub for weaving. To cater these growing communities, meat production took precedence over fleece when it came to sheep farming. Norwich and Norfolk’s more isolated location couldn’t cater to trade via the Atlantic nor could it face the rise of easily accessible cotton.

However, that doesn’t mean the legacy of this period is any less important.

Norfolk’s Wool Legacy

The wool industry is an undeniable part of our county history. Although it may be an undiscovered aspect of Norfolk’s heritage for many, the influence of England’s wool industry is evident across our towns and cities. Look to the architecture. 

Boasting the highest concentration of churches anywhere in the world, have you ever wondered why Norfolk’s churches are so big in villages so small? The answer is wool.

These ‘wool churches’ were built on the wealth of local merchants and traders, identifiable thanks to their towering steeples and overall imposing structures. Examples include Attleborough and Wymondham Abbey near Norwich, The Walpoles close to King’s Lynn (another influential market town/ port) and Cley-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk coast. Even Baconsthorpe Castle was built on this legacy. Across the border, it’s Lavenham that takes the title of ‘Suffolk’s Wool Town’.

In Norwich itself, mediaeval architecture abounds. The mediaeval cloth hall now houses a cinema, while a local museum preserves the history of a cloth merchant’s home. Throughout the centre, weaver’s windows are quickly totted up by anyone with an observing eye. They’re distinguished by their wide horizontal shape, designed to let in as much light as possible for home-weavers. Perhaps the most poignantly preserved example is St James’ mill. Built as a last attempt to save Norfolk’s wool industry, the building is now an iconic sight along the river.

In central wool church St Peter Mancroft (opposite the Forum), find 16th century tapestries gifted by Dutch weavers for the city’s hospitality. There’s even exhibition space in Norwich Castle Museum dedicated to Norwich shawls, a popular design made to replicate luxurious Kashmir shawls with local wool and silk (even Queen Victoria owned multiple Norwich shawls).

Working with Wool Today

Today, the wonders of wool are less well known.

However, the fibre still holds value. Due to the rise and affordability of synthetics, wool is instead esteemed as a sustainable approach to materials, whether it’s fashion, interiors or farming. And through education and exposure, there’s no doubt more consumers will welcome wool again. 

Our Mattress Collections
At Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co., our Natural Comfort and Sandringham Wool collections showcase the possibilities of British wool. 

Those same qualities that prized woven English wool then, make it ideal for bedding today. Wool’s breathable, hypoallergenic and regulates your body temperature. Its inherent properties elevate and enhance your sleep for uninterrupted stress-free slumber. Renewable, biodegradable and moisture-wicking, you’ll sleep soundly, reassured and relaxed.

Natural Comfort: with sustainably sourced British wool at its heart. In partnership with British Wool, the plump mattresses are a fine foundation for indulgent sleep.

Sandringham Wool: where hyperlocal sourcing helps local suppliers and offers sumptuous support. This mattress collection epitomises the luxury of local wool for unequalled comfort and the ultimate night’s sleep. 

Paired these with cloud-like wool enhancer, a refreshing mattress protector, two plump pillows and an enveloping wool duvet, there’s no reason that wool shouldn’t be your go-to choice.