Linen: Middle Ages

By the 9th century, Germany had a thriving trade in flax and linen. This trade would expand to Ireland by the 11th century, and by the 12th and 13th centuries, evidence suggests that flax was also being grown and sold in Southern England.

During the Middle Ages, linen became a fundamental textile produced in decentralized home weaving mills. It was used for a variety of purposes, including clothing, household goods, and even technical items like sails and ropes. The versatility of linen meant that its quality varied, ranging from coarse, everyday fabrics to the fine, smooth materials favoured by the wealthy. Linen was especially important for undergarments due to its absorbent and hygienic properties, but it was also commonly used for outer garments, bedsheets, and aprons.