Weaving was introduced into West Yorkshire in the reign of Edward III, and woollen cloth was predominantly produced in village homes and in settlements surrounding Leeds. Local traders went all over the country, selling cloth on credit terms; and an export trade existed. Ralph Thoresby, a historian and merchant born in Leeds was involved in the establishment of the first covered cloth market, when with others he secured the permission of the 3rd Viscount Irwin, holder of Manor of Leeds, to erect the White Cloth Hall, opened on 22 May 1711.
Weaving was introduced into West Yorkshire in the reign of Edward III, and woollen cloth was predominantly of home manufacture, produced in the villages and settlements surrounding Leeds and local traders went all over the country, selling cloth on credit terms; and that an export trade existed. Ralph Thoresby was an antiquarian, who was born in Leeds and is widely credited with being the first historian of that city. Besides being a merchant, he was involved in the establishment of the first covered cloth market, when with others he secured the permission of the 3rd Viscount Irwin, holder of Manor of Leeds, to erect the White Cloth Hall, opened on 22 May 1711.
Size: 4584px × 3362px
Location: White Cloth Hall, Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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