An Act for the true makinge of Woollen Clothes (1606)

Artifact Summary
Artifact type	Statute
Creator/author	Parliament of England
Date	1606
Period	Stuart
City and country of origin
Abstract

Entry

[Statutes of the Realm, Vol. IV, Part II, Anno 4° [& 5] JACOBI, I. A. D. 1606. [& 1607.], CHAPTER XXIV.]

CHAPTER II

AN ACT for the true makinge of Woollen Clothes,

Length, Breadth, and Weight of Cloths, vis

Long Brueil Clothe maste of dyed Woo X, Y York, Heading, Ac.1

White Clothe, called Long

Plunkers, Azures, W Suffolk, Norfolk,

White Cloths of

and Enver

Short Clotha, enloured and white, and Sorting Clothe

DOR the avoydinge of many Inconvenience happeninge to his Highnes Subject exercysinge the Mysterie and FOR Trade of makinge and workinge of Woollen Clothes of dyvers Names and Natures, and that the Buyers of such Clothes may have true and just commerce whout Fraude or Deceite, It pleaseth his most Excellent Majestie, with the Consent of the Lorde Spirituall and Temporall, and the Comons in this psent Parliament assembled, That it be enacted, & by the authoritie of the same it is enacted, That from and after fourescore dayes next after the end of this Session of Parliament, every longe Broad Clothe and Clothes, which shalbe made of dyed Woolles and mingled Colours within any of the Shires of Kent Yorke or at the Towne of Readinge, or elswhere of like makinge, shall conteyne in Length at the Water, everie peece beinge thoroughly wette betweene thirtie and foure and thirtie yardes, every yarde yarde and inch of the Standard and noe more, and in breadth six quarters and half of a yarde at the least whin the Liste by the whole length of the same Cloth; And that everie Piece of the same Cloth beinge well scowred thicked milled and fullye dryed, shalbe in weighte eightie sixe poundę at the least: And that every white Cloth which shalbe made within the Cities of Worcester Coventrie and Hereford, comonly called Longe Worcesters, or elswhere of like makinge, Worcesters shall conteyne in length beinge wette, betweene thirtye and thirtie three such said yardes and inches as aforesaid, and shalbe in bredth seaven quarters thoroughout all the whole Cloth, and beinge cleane scowred thicked milled and fully dryed shall weigh seventie eight pounde at the least; And that all and every longe colored Clothes, comonlie called Plunkette Azures and Blues, and longe White Clothes, which shalbe made in any of the Shires of Suffolk Norfolke and Essex, or elswhere of like makinge shall conteine in length beinge wette, betwene twentye nyne and thirtie twue such said yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and shalbe in bredth six quarters and one half quarter whin the Listes at the least & beinge well scowred (thickned') milled and fully dryed, shall weigh eightie pound at the least, And that all and everie Short Clothes coloured, and Shorte White Clothes, comonly called Sortinge Clothes, which shalbe made in any of the Shires last before mencioned or elsewhere, of like sorte and makinge, shall conteyne being wett in length betweene twentie three and twentie six such said yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and in bredth thoroughout the whole Price six quarters within the Listes at the least, and being well scowred thicked milled and fullic dryed, shall weigh sixtie foure powndes the Cloth at the least, And that all and every Short Clothes coloured, and Shorte White Fine short Buffolkaj Clothes, comonlie called Fyne Shorte Suffolkes, which shalbe made in the Shires last before mencioned, or elswhere of like makinge, shall conteyne beinge wett in length betweene three and twentic and six and twentie such said yarde and inches as is aforesaid, and in bredth thoroughout the whole Peice sixe quarters and a halfe within the Listes at the least and beinge well scowred thicked milled and fullie dryed shall weigh sixtie foure powide the Clothe at the least, And that every such sortinge Shorte Cloth shal be differenced from the said Fyne Clothes last before Blue Listen mencioned, by a blewe selvedge or edginge on both Listen, And that every White Cloth which shalbe made within the same mencioned Shires or elswhere of like makinge comonlye called Handywarpes, shall conteyne in length betwene twentic nyne and thirtie twoe such saide yardes and inches as is aforesaide, and in breadth seven quarters, and beinge well scowred thicked milled and fully dryed, shall weigh seventie six pownde at the least; And that all Broade Plunkett Azures Blues and other coloured Cloth, which shalbe made within the Shires of Wiltshire and Homersetshire Soffsetsheire, or clsewhere of like makinge, shall conteine beinge throughly wett, betweene twentie six and twentie eighte such yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and in breadth six quarters and a half within the Listes, and beinge well scowred thicked mylled and fully dried, shall weigh sixtie eight pound(' the Cloth at the least: And that every Cloth Short Yorkshire comonly called Shorte Clothes which shalbe made of dyed Woollf and mingled Collours within the Countie of Yorke, dred w or elswhere of like makinge, shall conteyne in length, beinge thoroughly wett, betweene twentye three and twentie fyve such yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and in bredth six quarters and an halfe between the Listes, and beinge cleane scowred thicked mylled and fully dried, shall weighe sixtie six poundes the Cloth at the least, and every half Price Half Pires thereof, comonlie called Dozena, to be made and wrought after the same Rate in every respecte; And that all Broad Listed Whites and Rede which shalbe made in any of the Counties of Wiltshire Gloucestershire Oxfordshire and the Easterne lymitte of Soddsettshire or elswhere of like makinge, cõmonly called Sortinge Packe Broad Listed Clothes, shall conteyne in length beinge wett betweene twentie six and twentie eighte such saide yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and

Short Clothe Handy warpo Wiltshire and

Plunketa, Ac.i

or Desens

Bort Pack white and red, of

thicked 0

broad listed Clothe

Wiltshire, are

Narrow-listed

Whites and Rode,

Fine Clothe with plain Lists of Wiltshire, &c. i

Clothe having Stop-Lists:

Brood Toustons, Bridgewaters, and Dunsters

Narrow Claithe of Somersetshire;

Hall Cloths proportionate i Yorkshire brned and narrow Whites and Reds 1

Devonshire Kersins or Dezens

Check Kenies, Straits, and plaie Grays:

Ordinary

Penistoors or Forest Whites

shalbe in bredth six quarters and a half thoroughout the whole Cloth at the least, and beinge cleane scowred thicked mylled and fully dried, shall weigh every peice of the same Cloth sixtie foure pounde the Cloth at the least; And that all Narrowe Listed Whites and Rede which shalbe made in Wiltshire Gloucestershire Oxfordshire and the Easterne Lymitte of Soffsetshire or elswhere of like makinge comonlie called Sortinge Packe Clothes, shall conteyne in length beinge wett betwene twentie six and twentie eighte such said yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and shalbe in breadth within the Listes six quarters and a halfe throughout the whole Cloth at the least, and listed with Narrowe Listes as hath beene accustomed for Sortinge Pack Clothes, and beinge cleane scowred thicked milled and fullie dried, shall weigh every peice beinge White sixtie one poundes at the least, and beinge Red shall weighe sixtie pounde the peice at the least, And that every Fyne Cloth with playne Listes made in the Counties of Wiltshire Gloucestersheire Sonfsetshire and Oxford, or elswhere of like makinge, shall conteyne in length betweene twentie nyne and thirtie twoe such said yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and in breadth six quarters and a half betweene the Listes throughe out the whole Clothe, and beinge cleane scowred thicked milled and fullie dryed, shall weighe seventye two poundę at the leaste; And that all and every Clothes havinge stoppe Listes and not playne Listes, shall conteyne in length betwene thirtie and thirtie three of such said yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and in breadth seven quarters within the Listes throughout the whole Clothe, and in weight seventie eighte poundes at the least, as all Worcester Clothes are lymited; And that every Broade Cloth comonly called Tauntons [Bridgwaters'] and Dunsters made in the Westerne partes of Soffsetsheire or elswhere of lyke makinge shall conteyne beinge throughlie wett, between twelve and thirtene such said yarde and inches as is aforesaid, and in breadth seven quarters of a yarde at the least, and beinge well scowred thicked milled and fully dried, shall weigh thirtie pound the Cloth at the least, And every narrowe Clothe of lyke sorte and makinge within the said Countie of Sofactshire or elswhere, shall conteyne in length beinge throughlie wett, betweene twentie foure and twentie fyve such yardes and inches as in aforesaid, and in bredth one yarde within the Listes at the leaste, and listed wa a narrowe List and well scowred thicked milled and fullie dryed, shall weigh thirtie poundes a peece at the least, and the half Cloth thereof to be of a pporcionable length and weight, and of like bredth as aforesaid; And that all such lyke Broade Clothes and Narrowe Clothes last before mencioned, made win the Countie of Yorke, into Whites and Redf, the Broad Cloth to hold the same lengthe breadth and weight, but the Narrowe Cloth to be allowed by this Statute to conteyne betweene seaventeene and eighteene yardes of like measure breadth and in weighte pporcionable as aforesaid: And that all Devonshire Kersies called Dozens, shall conteyne in length at the Water betweene twelve and thirteen such said yardes and inches as is aforesaid, & being well scowred thickedd milled and fullie dryed, shall weigh thirteene pound the Cloth at the least; And all Clothes called Checke Kersies Straites and plaine Graies, shall conteyne in length at the water, betweene seventeene and eighteene such said yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and in breadth one yarde at the least by all the length, and beinge well scowred thicked milled and fully dryed, shall weigh twentie foure pound the peice at the leaste; And that all Clothes called Ordinarie Penystones or Forrest Whites, shall conteyne in length in the Water betweene twelve and thirteene such said yardes and inches as is aforesaid, and in breadth fyve quarters and a half, and beinge cleane scowred thicked milled and fullye dryed, shall weighe twentie eighte poundes the peice at the least; And that all Penystones

Sorting Praistones, called Sortinge Penystones shall conteyne in length in the Water betweene thirteene and foureteene such yardes and inches, and shalbe in breadth sixe quarters and a half, and beinge cleane scowred thicked milled and fully dried, shall weigh thirtie fyve poundes the peice at the least

Cogware-Kendab Carpmeale,

AND be it likewise enacted by the authoritie aforesaid, That all Cogware Kendall and Carptmeales shall from Caf Car-Ked henceforth be made in such sorte as shall best please the Buyer, and shall not be searched or sealed or be subject to any other Penaltie then such as was ymposed thereon before the nyne and thirtieth yeere of the raigne of our late Soveraigne Ladye Queene Elizabeth, soe as they shrinke not above one yard for everie twentie yardes

AND be it enacted by the authoritie aforesaid, That all Kersies called Washers or Wash Whites, made within the Counties of Yorke Lancaster or elswhere of like makinge, shall conteyne in length at the Water, beinge half thicked, betweene seventeene and eighteene yardes of the measure aforesaid, and beinge quarter thicked, shall conteyne betweene eighteene and nyneteene such yardes and inche as is aforesaid, and being cleane scowred and fully dryed shall weighe seventeene poundes the peice at the least; And that noe Clothworker Shereman or Fuller shall raise or rowe, or cause to be raysed or rowed any kinde of Clothes or Kersies in or wa any Oyles Goosegrease Swynesgrease, or any such lyke thinge of any kinde of Greases or Oyles, but shall sheere the same Cloth Kersie plaine and straighte, without layinge in or layinge on any of the aforesaid Oyles Goosegrease Swynesgrease, or any other liquid or moist thinge, but onlie uppon the edge of the Sheres with Semet or Oyles, upon paine to forfeite for everie time soe doinge contrye to the true meaninge of this Statute thirteene shillinges foure pence; And that noe Clothworker Shereman or Fuller shall raise full or rowe or sheere the List and Sides of Clothes and Kersies better then the middest, but shall worke all alyke, upon payne of forfeytinge for every Cloth Kersey playne and streight, done contr'ye to the true meanynge of this Statute thirteene shilling foure pence; And that noe Clothworker or any other peon or psons whatsoever shall have or use for the cuttinge or takinge away of the Wooll from the backsides of any Clothes and Kersies, any Knife or Knyves, Rnbster or Rubeters Pumistone or any other Device whatsoever, but onlye to sheere the same backside with a Paire of Sheeres, on payne of forfeitinge for every peice wherein or whereupon the same shalbe soe done, the some of Thirteene Shillinges foure pence

AND be it further enacted by the authoritie of this prent Parliament, That noe Clothworker Sheereman or Fuller, or any other pson or peons whatsoever, shall from and after the Feast of S' John Baptist next ensuynge the end of this puent Session of Parliament, blow spout or bedewe any kinde of Broadcloth or Kersey on the Sides and Edges

Bridgewater O

neere the Listes thereof, wh any Water or other Liquid or moist Thinge whatsoever, whereby the Edges or Sides of any Clothe or Kersey, may make shewe to be better then it is in the Ridge Creste or Midst thereof, upon payne to forfeit for every such Ofence the some of Thirteene Shillinge foure pence of lawfull Money of England; And if any pron of psons shall blowe spout wett or bedewe, or cause to be blowen spowted wett or bedewed with any Liquid or moist Thinge any Kinde of Cloth or Kersey of whatsoever Countrey Makinge or Name, for increase of Weighte, thereby to decrave the Buyers or Serchers, such pson or psons shall forfeite and loose for every such Offence the some of Fortie Shilling of like lawfuil Money of England

AND be it further enacted by the authoritie aforesaid, That all the said white Clothes and coloured Clothes which by this psent Act are not lymited and appointed to be wrought dressed and shorne, shall have Allowance and Abatement for the dyinge dressinge rowinge and sheeringe thereof, for every suche saide Short Broade Woollen Clothes foure pound in Weight and noe more, and the Longe Clothes fyve poundes and noe more, and so after that Rate in all and every the same Halfe Wollen Cloth Kersey, and other the said Wollen Cloth

Br it alsoe enacted by the authoritie aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawfull to and for any peon or prons lawfullie exercisinge the Trade of Arte of a Clothier or makinge of Clothes to make Floxe Thruñes and Lambes Wooll Into Cloth of one onlie kynde or makinge, which shall conteyne in Length, beinge thoroughlie wett, betweene Twelve and Thirteene such Yard and Inches as is aforesaid, and in Breadthe One Yarde at the least whin the List(, and beinge cleane scowred thicked mylled and fully dried, shall weighe fifteene poundes the peice at the least

AND for the better and more easie Distincion and Knowledge of every such Cloth from Cloth made of pfect Wooll, every Clothe made of Floxe Thrums and Lambes Wooll, shall have the One List whollye of Blacke Yarne, and on the other Side a Selvedge onlye, and that from henceforth noe pson or psons shall put any Haire Floxe Thruñes or any Yarne made of Lamb( Wooll or other deceivable Thinge or Thinges in or uppon any other Broad Woollen Cloth Half Cloth Kersey Frize Dozen Bayes Pennystone Cotton Taunton Cloth Bridgwater Dunster Cotton or other Cloth of what Nature Kynde or Name soever made to be sold, and sold not beinge made and listed, with such Blacke Liste and Selvedge as aforesaid, upon payne to forfeite every such of the said Woollen Cloth Half Cloth Kersey Frize Dozen Pennystone Cotton and other Wollen Cloth, of what Nature Kinde and Name sorver, other then such as shalbe listed and made as aforesaid, whereinto or upon which any such Ilaire Floxe Thrümes Yarne of Lambes Wooll or other deceiveable Thinge shalbe put or used, or the Value thereof

VIII,

Previso for Flannels. Prealtics, Length in Clothes

for Excem of

for Deficiency of Weight

PROVIDED alwayes, That in such Townes Places and Counties where Flannell Wadnalle and Coverlette or Blankett are usually made, the same may be made in such Sorte as heretofore hath byn lawfullie used and accustomed; this Statute or any thinge therein conteyned to the contr'rye thereof in any wise notw standinge: And if any of the saide Broade Wollen Clothes or Half Cloth, or any other Kynde of Woollen Clothes Dozens Cottons or other Sorif of Woollen Cloth before mencioned in this psent Act, of what Nature Kynde or Name soever they be of, made to be sold and solde, shalbe more in Length then is therefore respectively lymited and appointed in this psent Act, then every pson or psons sellinge the same shall forfeite and pay for every Yarde and Inch exceedinge the Length soe appointed, the some of Ten Shillinges and noe more; And if any such Cloth shall not weigh pporcionably for every such Yarde and Inch to the severall and respectyve weight to them soe lymited and appointed, then the said pson or psons sellinge the same shall forfeite and loose for everie Pound Weighte that shalbe wantinge above Twoe Pound, the some of Ten Shillinge and noe more; any former Lawe or Statute to the cont'rye thereof in any wise notwithstandinge : And if any such Cloth before mencioned not exceedinge the severall Lengthe to them by this Statute lymited or of Breadth; appointed and holdinge the severall and respective Weight lymited and appointed, doe yet fortune to wante of the just Bredth lymited or appointed, then the said pson or psons sellinge the same, shall forfeite and lose for every Cloth fallinge narrowe through the whole Cloth Twentye Shillinge, and throughout Half the Cloth Ten Shilling and under Half the Cloth Fyve Shillingt only and noe more; any former Lawes or Statut inflictinge other or greater Penaltie or Penalties to the contr'ye thereof in any wise notwithstandinge: And if any Cloth or Clothes of any the Names Natures or Makinge aforesaid, which by this Statute or any Clause or Article therein, or any other Statute nowe in force and not repealed, shall upon due and convenient Triall, within convenient tyme after Sale thereof, in psence of the partie that sold the same, or other pson or psons by him appointed, if he or they wilbe psent at the Search and Triall thereof, or if hee or they will not be psent, havinge reasonable notice, then in his or their absence be founde to be of lesse Length then the Seale or Seales thereon fixed at the tyme of the Sale thereof doc purport, then the Owner or pson or psons sellinge the same, shall forfeite and lose to the Merchant Draper or other pson or psons that shall have bought the same, for so much as shalbe wantinge of the Length spified in the Seale or Seales of the said Cloth, after the Rate of Six Shillinges Eight pence for every Yarde, over and besides the true Value of soe much of the said Cloth or Clothes as shalbe founde wantinge of the Length dified by the said Scale or Seales, and noe more; Any former Lawe or Statute inflictinge other or greater Penaltie to the cont'rye thereof in any wise notwithstandinge

AND be it further enacted by the authoritie of this puent Parliement, That all and every Branch Clause and Sentence in any former Statute, wherebye any other Length Bredth or Weighte of the Clothes before mencioned, or any of them, or any other Penaltie or Forfeiture coneninge the Length Bredthe or Weight of the foresaid Clothes, or any of them, or any other Offence by this Act intended to be reformed is lymited, or whereby any Penaltie or Forfeiture for the Offences in this Bill mencioned, or any of them, are given to any other pon or peons then in and by this Statute in lymited and intended shalbe from henceforth utterlie repealed and made voide

for Deficiency of Length Length, accord according to the Seal

Fermer Acta

as to all Clothe mentioned,

Cloths sealed

AND be it further enacted by authoritie of this psent Parliament, That none of the Clothes aforesaide, which by the Lawes and Statute of this Realme oughte to be sealed, of what Name Nature or Qualitie soever they be of, beinge

39 Elas. c. 30. 14 sealed by the Overseers authorized, aswell by a Statute made in the nyne and thirteth yeare of the Reigne of our

according to 43 Ekz. c. 10.13

shall not be

sewched, &c. except by the Beyer

Application of Penalties under this Act, for Clothe found deficient on

Search:

for Deficiencies discovered by the Buyer

XI. Duties, Arc. os Clothe shall be proportioned to the Length

late Soveraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth, intituled An Act against the deceitfull stretchinge and tainteringe of Northern Cloth, as alsoe by a Statute made in the three and fortieth yeere of her saide Raigne, intituled An Act for thet rue workinge and makinge of Woollen Cloth, shall [afterward'] be searched tried or watered by any other pson or psons whatsoever, but only by the Merchant or Draper or other pson to whome the same shalbe sold; and that if any Wollen Cloth, upon the Search by the Searchers or Overseers of the Cyties Counties Townes or Places where the Cloth is made, shalbe found either to exceede the Length, or to wante of the weight by this Statute lymited, the saide Searchers or Overseers fyndinge and ctifyinge the said Overlength, and the Weight that shall wante, or such of them wherein the Offence shall happen to have byn comitted by his or their Seale or Seales, shall have the one Moytie of all such Penalties and Forfeitures as by this Statute are given lymited and appointed for excesse of length or wante of weight, and noe other pson or psons, and shall or may sue for and recover the same by Accion of Debt Bill Plainte or Informacion, in any of his Majesties Court of Record at Westin, wherein noe Essoine Preccion or Wager of Lawe shall be allowed, and our Soveigne Lord the King Majestie, his Heires and Successors, shall have the other moitye: And also if any Woollen Cloth or Clothes of any the Natures Names or Making aforesaid, shall after such Search in the [Countrey'] or other Place aforesaid, be founde to be faultie in any thinge not ctified, and appearinge by the Seale or Seales of the said Overscers and Searchers, by the Merchant or Draper or other pson or psons buyinge the same, upon due and convenient Tryall within convenient tyme after the Sale thereof in psence of the partie that sold the same, or of other pson or psons by him or them to be appointed, if he or they wilbe posent at the Search and Tryall thereof, or if he or they will not be prent, havinge reasonable Notice gyven, then in his or their Absence the saide Merchant or Draper or other pson that bought the same, and noe other, shall have the one Moytie of all the Penalties and Forfeitures by this Statute ymposed and incurred, and not become due to the Overseers and Searchers aforesaid, to his owne onlie pper use and beloof, any former Statute Matter or Thinge whatsoever to the contrye hereof in any wise notwithstandinge; And also shall or may sue for and recover the same in any of his Majesties Court of Record at Westili by Accion of Debte Bill Plainte or Informacion, wherein noe Essoine Preccion or Wager of Law shalbe allowed, and his Majestie, his Heires and Successors shall have the other Moitye

AND forasmuch as of late it hath been reputed that a broad Woollen Cloth should and ought to consist of foure and twentie such yard and inches as aforesaid, and not above, and payment and other duties have beene accordingly demaunded and payd for the same: Be it therefore enacted by the authoritie aforesaid, That if any Broad Woollen Cloth be made longer or shorter then foure and twentie such said yardes and ynches, all duties and payment hereafter to be paid for the same, shalbe demaunded and made pporcionable accordinge to the rate and pporcion of foure and twentie such said yardes and inches for a whole Cloth and not otherwise

AND wheras by this and dyvers other Statutes coneninge Drapery and Clothing, It is enacted, That all and every Every Clothier make any kind of Broad Cloth and Clothes which shalbe made in Kente & Sussex or at the Towne of Readinge or elsewhere of like

Woolies Cloth

XIIL Continence of Act

Χιν. Previso for Customs, and the

makinge, shalbe of a eten length breadth and weight in this or other the said Statut expssed and lymited; And in like sorte for Woollen Clothes most usuallye made in some other Counties or Townes are first speciallye and particulerly named in this and other the saide Statutes; And after followe theis Wordes (or elsewhere of lyke makinge) ymportinge that it should be lawfull for any Clothier of whatsoever Towne or Countie within this Realme, to make Cloth of lyke makinge, and accordingly the same hath heeretofore beene put in ure; Yet forasmuch as of late some doubt hath thereupon risen, Be it therefore explayned and enacted, That it is and shalbe lawfull for everye Clothier, of what Towne or Countie soever within this Realme, where Clothinge hath heretofore been used, to make or cause to be made any true Woollen Cloth of what Name Nature or manner of makinge soever the same be, albeit the same kynde of Woollen Cloth doe beare specially the Name of some other Countye Citye or Towne within this Realme

THIS Act to contynue untill the end of the first Session of the next Parliament

PROVIDED alwaies and be it enacted by the Authoritie aforesaid, That neither this Act nor any thinge therein conteyned, shall extend to abridge or dimynish any Customes or Duties appteyninge to our Soveigne Lorde

King's Ashager, the Kinges Majestic his Heires or Successors or to any his Officers or Ministers, for the searchinge measuringe or sealinge any the Clothes before mencioned, nor to hurte or judice the lawfull Fees due or belonginge to his Majesties Alneger, or to hurte or pjudice the lawfull use and exercise of the Office of Alneger, s after any Cloth once lawfully searched and lawfully sealed the same be not compelled to be further viewed searched mesured or sealed