Clutterbuck Cloth Mark

It is also likely that family members emigrated from Holland during the Middle Ages, when King Edward III and other English monarchs, brought Flemish weavers out to teach the English their craft. Many of them settled in Gloucestershire, where the best wool was produced, and further historical records show that the Clutterbucks of England were mostly involved with activities relating to the textiles trades;  fulling, milling, dying, spinning and weaving wool.  They also farmed their own wool as did most of the population in Gloucestershire at the time.

Certainly, over the years, the family proudly owned their own  Cloth Mark   which was a carefully guarded emblem or brand that was woven into the selvedge of each bolt of fabric they produced.  The Cloth Mark (shown above) was a kind of ‘badge of honour’ and authenticity which denoted a clothier’s reputation and high standing in the industry, both locally and overseas.   For this reason, Cloth Marks were carefully guarded and often bequeathed to other ‘worthy’ family members in their owners’ wills.

 

flemishweavers

King Edward III Flemish weavers

 

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