Wool and Water

In the woollen industrys heyday Gloucestershire had over 200 mills, producing cloth which was transported to markets all over the world: to Europe, Hudsons Bay, India; it clothed the British Army and was used for coronations and even the Popes robes. The authors previous and much-consulted work, Gloucestershire Woollen Mills, has long been out of print, making the time ripe for a fresh appraisal of this fascinating period in history. Wool & Water traces the origins of the water-powered industry from the late twelfth century to its demise, with two mills remaining in the twentieth century. Themes discussed include the organisation of the domestic industry until the mid-eighteenth century; the development of the factory; fluctuations in trade and, finally, competition from Yorkshire. Containing previously unpublished material and unique illustrations from private collections, plus a comprehensive gazetteer of the countys textile mill sites, Wool & Water is the ideal book for those interested in the industrial heritage of Gloucestershire.