Kersey (cloth)

Kersey (cloth)

Kersey is a kind of coarse woollen cloth.

It derives its name from the village of Kersey, Suffolk, having presumably originated in that region. However the cloth was made in many places. By 1475, the West Riding of Yorkshire including Calderdale was also a major producer. Kersey was a lighter weight cloth than broadcloth. English kerseys were widely exported to central Europe, [D. C. Coleman, "The Economy of England 1450-1750" (Oxford University Press, 1977), 53-4 77 78. ] and other places. For example, a business letter [Letter dated June 26th, 1578, from John Withal in Santos, Brazil, to Mr Richard Staper, excerpted in Richard Hakluyt (ed. Jack Beeching), "Voyages and Discoveries", (Penguin Press, 1972) 196.] from the end of the 16th century recommends to trade kerseys for good wine on the Canary Islands.

Notes

External resources

* [http://www.pilgrimhall.org/textileterms.htm Textile terms]
* [http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/timeline/1400_1500/1400_1500_6.html Calderdale site]


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  • kersey — [kʉr′zē] n. pl. kerseys [ME, after Kersey, village in Suffolk, England] a coarse, lightweight woolen cloth, usually ribbed and with a cotton warp …   English World dictionary

  • kersey — [ kə:zi] noun a kind of coarse ribbed cloth with a short nap, woven from short stapled wool. Origin ME: prob. from Kersey, a town in Suffolk where woollen cloth was made …   English new terms dictionary

  • kersey — /ˈkɜzi/ (say kerzee) noun (plural kerseys) 1. a compact, well fulled woollen cloth with a fine nap and smooth face. 2. a coarse twilled woollen cloth with a cotton warp. {Middle English; ? named after Kersey, village in Suffolk, England} …  

  • kersey — noun (plural kerseys) Etymology: Middle English, from Kersey, England Date: 14th century 1. a. a coarse ribbed woolen cloth for hose and work clothes b. a heavy wool or wool and cotton fabric used especially for uniforms and coats 2. a garment of …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • kersey — /kerr zee/, n., pl. kerseys. 1. a heavy overcoating of wool or wool and cotton, similar to beaver and melton. 2. a coarse twilled woolen cloth with a cotton warp, used esp. for work clothes. 3. a garment made of kersey. [1400 50; late ME; perh.… …   Universalium

  • kersey — ker•sey [[t]ˈkɜr zi[/t]] n. pl. seys 1) tex a heavy, fulled woolen overcoating similar to melton 2) tex a coarse, twilled woolen cloth sometimes made with a cotton warp and used for work clothes 3) clo a garment made of kersey • Etymology:… …   From formal English to slang

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