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1699: Wilton's clothiers and weavers seek a charter to restrict the weaving trade (cloth, not yet carpet)

Research finding · not yet checked at the source

Date: 1699
Place: Wilton, Wiltshire
Themes: Woven carpet

View at the source Cited in chapter 3, note 19

Cite this source

“1699: Wilton’s clothiers and weavers seek a charter to restrict the weaving trade (cloth, not yet carpet).” Research note. british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol6/pp24-27.

Research notes

Checked: the Victoria County History (Wiltshire vol. 6, 'Wilton: Industry since c.1500') says that in 1699 the town sought a charter to restrict entry into the weaving trade to members of the fellowship, because outside competition had overwhelmed the old by-laws; at least 37 Wilton weavers and 25 from the surrounding area joined that year. Wilton Carpets' timeline says William III granted the clothiers and weavers a charter 'to reduce the impact of foreign competition'; another source says it limited trade within four miles to those who had served a seven-year apprenticeship. Correction: the charter concerned the woollen-cloth trade generally, not carpet weaving, which the VCH dates from 1741. The claims that a carpet factory was built at Wilton in 1655 (Wilton Carpets; Britannica's 'Royal Carpet Factory established 1655') are not supported by the VCH. Sources: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol6/pp24-27 · https://wiltoncarpets.com/about-us/our-heritage/ · https://www.wiltontowncouncil.gov.uk/heritage-trail/ Research note (Oct 2026): from search results; pages not opened.