How Wool Shaped the British Economy

Wool has played a role in shaping Britain’s economy, heritage and identity for 2,000 years, and during the medieval period was responsible for creating great wealth - and made Britain a leader in trade. The quality of British wool has stood the test of time ever since and, today, is still considered to be amongst the finest in the world.

What have the Romans ever done for us?

The rise of the British wool trade began as far back as the Roman occupation of Britain. The Romans were so impressed by the quality of British woven wool cloth that they set up a large weaving mill in Winchester in the first century AD. The British wool ‘birrus’ (hooded cloak) and its prices were included amongst the top ‘must have’ products across the Roman Empire in the Edict of Diocletian in 301 AD.

The British climate is eminently suitable for sheep rearing and over the years British wool became a cornerstone of the British economy, helping towns to thrive and grow.

Golden fleeces in medieval Britain

In Greek mythology, Jason and the Argonauts went on a quest to find the Golden Fleece but, in medieval Britain, British fleeces generated gold and other riches for the wool merchants, who could be found plying their trade around the cities and towns of England.  

Hundreds of years ago, a wealthy English merchant had the following engraved on the windows of his house: “I praise God and ever shall – it is the sheep hath paid for all”. He was right to give thanks for his fortune as, by the 12th century, wool was integral to England’s wealth. Exporting huge quantities to mainland Europe, including Flanders and Italy, British wool was woven into beautiful fabrics and became a key driver of the English economy.

This new wealth enabled British wool merchants to move in higher society and enjoy prosperous lifestyles in large houses. They also donated towards public buildings. For example, in the Cotswolds, many towns and villages became homes to ‘wool churches’ – churches that were built or enlarged by the local wool merchants. In the 13th century, the monarch seized the opportunity to raise money for military campaigns by imposing taxes on wool exports and this became a major source of income for the crown. Even today, the Lord Chancellor’s seat in the House of Lords is known as ‘the Woolsack’, signifying wool’s importance to the economy.

British wool and the British cloth trade

By the late Middle Ages, England had also developed a successful trade in domestic woollen cloth production and export, and this was a further boost to the English economy. The most well-known and popular of these was ‘Broadcloth’, which was very durable. Several cities, such as London and Bristol became hubs for the woollen cloth trade and were supported by wool mills in regions such as Yorkshire. These regions would eventually become the heart of the Industrial Revolution’s textile industry but by the 16th century other European countries were competing in the raw wool market and so Britain shifted away from exporting raw wool and focused on the production of cloth.

What is the connection between wool and the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the mid 18th century and spread to other parts of the world. Gathering momentum throughout that century and well into the 19th century, it increased wool weaving production through machinery such as the spinning jenny and power loom. Woollen mills in Lancashire and Yorkshire became the backbone of the British cloth industry, and British cloth was exported not just to Europe but also to the Americas and beyond. The wealth generated by this helped to build Britain’s global dominance at the time.

Why was the Wool Marketing Board created?

The invention of synthetic fibres, such as nylon and polyester, in the 20th century, led to a reduction in the demand for woollen textiles, as synthetic materials were cheaper to produce, despite not being sustainable. To support the centuries-long heritage of British wool and woollen cloth, the British government established the Wool Marketing Board in 1950. 

Playing a crucial role in stabilising wool prices and ensuring British farmers could continue producing wool profitably, It also launched marketing campaigns to promote wool as a natural and sustainable fibre, which offered a superior quality to synthetic alternatives for products such as garments and carpets. 

Now known as British Wool, the British Wool Shepherd’s Crook Mark logo is a trusted symbol of quality and authenticity. British Wool also sets the standards for wool grading and promotes best industry standards in support of DEFRA’s rules regarding animal welfare. British Wool also trains an average 800 shearers a year and by investing in the education and training of young people, is helping to ensure the British wool industry remains a vital and thriving part of our agricultural sector.

Why is British sheep farming important?

Wool is part of our heritage as a nation. Today, British sheep farming has never been more important. The livelihood of thousands of farmers depends on it and because there are more breeds of sheep in the UK than anywhere else in the world, this means that there is a huge choice of wool grades and types that can be used to make products from jumpers to trousers, carpets to cushions – and toppers to duvets.

Wool is natural and sustainable and has many benefits, especially when it comes to bedding. Breathable, temperature regulating and dust mite resistant, wool creates an optimum sleeping environment as well as being luxurious and cosy.

At Devon Duvets we are proud that we only ever source our wool from British flocks, selected from farms in Devon and the southwest and from farmers we know adhere to the highest standards of animal welfare. Our wool is certified as fully traceable 100% British wool by British Wool and our farmers receive a higher than market price for their fleeces. This ensures they can continue to maintain and build their flocks, thereby providing beautiful British wool for our products – each one individually handcrafted by expert seamstresses in our Devon-based workshops.

For further information about our award-winning products, just call the team on 01752 345399 or contact us via email. We're here to help!