John Leland visited Kidderminster in 1559 and wrote: 'This towne standeth most by cloathinge'. Clothing manufacture in Worcestershire was limited to only five towns; Kidderminster, Evesham, Droiwich, Bromsgrove and Worcester. More than 300 years ago, a master weaver had few employees, often his family, and one loom at which he worked. The trade was controlled by the Society of Weavers, consisting of master-weavers and journey-weavers. About 1650, a few masters built up small 'factories' and attempted to produce cloth on a larger scale and more cheaply. The Society took firm steps to keep up quality and to prevent the masters using large numbers of apprentices. Kidderminster weavers made linsey-woolsey, and no master was allowed more than three looms. In the early 17th century, Kidderminster was noted for two types of cloth;
1. Heavy, entirely of wool, used for hangings, often called carpets, or 'Kidder-stuff', at 4s. 10d per year
2. Linsey-woolsey, poor stuff, at 1s. 2d. per yard
