2. Was cashmere available @ same time period, I know the goats were.

As for the availability of cashmere, doesn't that wool come from goats from Turkey or some place?

The quality of English wool is legendary. I've posted more than you probably want to know about 15th C. wool under "15th C. wool and the wool trade"
http://www.wolfeargent.com/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000100.html

Hope you find it to be of some use!

All I can say is CAVEAT EMPTOR when dealing with those scumbags!!!!

It's only cost effective for them to put the expensive stuff up on their site, so I'd recommendi calling them and asking them what they have.You can do this several ways:

*Ask what they have available in $4/$5/$6 per yard wool pieces- they usually have some around.

*Ask what they have in inexpensive linen right now.

*Ask if they're running any specials.

*Ask if they can give you a better price if you buy a specified amount (5 yards, 10 yards, 20 yards, whatever).

DO call the store number, not the office.

DO- be pleasant and reasonable- you would be amazed how far just being nice will get you with some companies.

DON'T call during a high traffic time, like a weekend. 4PM on Wednesday is much better if you want good service.

DO try to order as much as you can at one time. Get a group order together and you'll not only get a better price, you'll save on shipping.

DON'T expect them to give you a great deal if you want a 2 yards of a very specific color. You're much more likely to get a deal if you can say "I'd like to spend $4 per yard- what do you have at that price?" or "I need 40 yards of blue wool- what kind of price can you give me?"

DON'T be a goon and expect good service. Mary is a friend of mine, and I know what she goes through with members of certain groups that shall not be named. She can't possibly be expected to match your Baron's personal household colors, or know if the red in someone's charge is more crimson or more tomato-y. However, if you tell them it's for a living history outfit, they will understand since they sort of specialize in Rev War and Civil war fabrics. They also understand the difference between vermillion red and madder red, and what a non-aniline color is.

Hope that helps-

Gwen

(I wrote this late last night / early this morning. My response is not AIMED at any one person or group. Noone should infer that they are being targeted. Noone's past, present, or future conduct is being questioned. I was making very general remarks and suggestions here.)

Looking at some of my old notes ... in 1394 Norfolk was making Single. Double and half double Worsteds ... the variety being in the weight (heavier = more expensive) and quality rather the size.
The widths I have vary between 18" and 45" most would probably have been at strait widths by the mnid-C15th ... i.e. 36"

In the C15th Norwich regulated much of the Worsted industry with Camlet (or Chamlet) being the finest grade ... but also including Bays and Says (fine grade worsteds but, apparantly, different to cloths of th same name in the c16th ... a general note of caution ... the same name does not necessarily mean the same cloth betwen the c15th and today).

The following are a few extras which ref the use of worsted ... you may be surprised by at least one ... what is worth noting is that Worsted (like Fustian) can mean both the cloth and a type of bedding

John Paston to Margaret Paston, 20th Spet 1465
To my cosyn Margret Paston.

Myn owne dere souereyn lady, I recomaund me to yow and thank yow of the gret chere žat ye mad me here, to my gret cost and charge and labour. Nomore at this tyme but that I pray yow ye woll send me hedir ij elne of worsted for doblettes to happe me this cold wynter, and that ye inquere where William Paston bought his tepet of fyne worsted whech is almost like silk; and if that be moch fyner thanne žat ye shuld bye me after vij or viij s., thanne bye [[m]]e a quarter and the nayle therof for colers, thow it be derrer thanne the tother, for I wold make my doblet all worsted for worship of Norffolk rather thanne like Gonnores doblet.

The Wardrobe Accounts of Edward IV: Part XXIX
For the Office of the Beddes within the Moost Honorable Household of Oure Saide Souverain Lorde the Kynge, Receyved by the Handes off Piers Wraton Yoman off the Same Office off the Beddes.

"Delivered unto Rauff Dowell' unto the Erber for the logeing of the ambassiatours of Bourgoingne iij peces of rede worsted of the moost assise, wherof was made iiij costers and iij counterpointes for iij beddes in iij chambres there; and also delivered unto the same Rauff for the same logeing vj peces rede worsted of the myddelle assise, wherof was made iij newe testours to iij celours that were boght of William Shukburgh and delivered to the same Rauff, and there were made also of the saide vj peces of rede worsted of the myddelle assise ix cutyns to iij beddes in the saide iij chambres and costers for ij of the saide iij chambres; and the saide iij old testours that were taken from the saide elours were made into iij cupbordclothes, alle whiche stuff of worstedes remaigne stil there, for the logeing now of M{r}. John Wode nowe undretresorer of England, by vertue of a warrant undre the Kinges signet and signe manuelle bering date the xxiiij day of Juylle, in the xx{ti} yere of the moost noble reigne of oure said Souverain Lorde the King,"

How a man shall be armed
"He shall have a pair of hose of worsted cloth, and a pair of short pads of blanket to put about his knees to prevent chafing of his leg harness"

Household accounts of Sir John Howard 1482
Chpt 38
x. day of April
John Hongford.
Paid to Willm Gooner, John Hongford man, for a piece wusted iij. yerdes deppe, for stremers and standartes xvj.s viij.d

I'd be interested! Please post the info in its own thread so its easy to access.

Thanks!!

quote:

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Originally posted by Dave Key:

How a man shall be armed
"He shall have a pair of hose of worsted cloth, and a pair of short pads of blanket to put about his knees to prevent chafing of his leg harness"

Dave

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Ah, this changes in my mind the interpretation of "bulwarks" I've seen or heard. This says short pads, rather than the long strips. Sounds like woolen knee pads to me.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ginevra:
Dave-

I'd be interested! Please post the info in its own thread so its easy to access.

Thanks!!

Gwen

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It's in "Worsted Regulations 1441-2"