The History of Linen

Linen is one of the world's oldest and most treasured textiles, the use of linen dates back at least 4000 years to ancient Egyptian times. Egyptians were probably the first to produce linen on a commercial scale, and references are seen on ancient hieroglyphics across Egypt, although fragments of fibre, seeds and fabric have been found from about 8000 BC in Swiss lake dwellings.

Linen was revered as a noble fabric, worn by royal households and other aristocracy in both life and death. Around 1000 metres of fine linen would be used as part of the mummifying process. Linen was chosen for this special role because it was believed to be a symbol of light and purity. It also served as a display of wealth. These ancient fabrics were woven from hand spun yarns and were fairly fine, but are coarser than modern fine linens.

Linen was also used as a currency in ancient Egypt, and linen's strong fibres are still used in banknotes today.

Linen was introduced by the Romans to Northern Europe, where production became widespread. Religious refugees from the Low Countries in the 16th century helped to establish the linen industry in England and Ireland, but here and elsewhere it began to decline in competition with the steady rise of cheap cotton in the 18th century. Before the mass importation of cotton, Linen was a prized, important domestic textile, used in towelling, bed linen, table linen and of course, clothing.

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