More than three centuries ago, Blandford was famous for the
making of fine lace. This was no ordinary handcrafted item as it was lace of
the highest quality. Known as bone or bobbin lace, because of the slender bone
bobbins used, the trade came to Blandford around 1570 with the arrival of
Flemish refugees in the town. Lace made in Blandford is known to have been worn
by Queen Mary.
Daniel Defoe was a merchant and prolific author and is most
famous for his novel, Robinson Crusoe. This tells the story of a man
shipwrecked on an island for 28 years and of his adventures
The author visited Blandford and in 1724, he wrote glowingly
of its lace:
‘This city (viz.
Blandford) is chiefly famous for making the finest bone lace in England, and
where they shewed us some so exquisitely fine as I never saw better in
Flanders, France or Italy, and which, they said, they rated above thirty pounds
a yard but it is most certain that they make exceedingly rich lace in this
county, such as no part of England can equal…surpassing all England in fine
lace.’
Because of its quality, lace made in Blandford commanded high
prices and noblemen paid good money to have their daughters learn the skill.
Blandford lace making reached its peak around the start of
the 18th century. When lace making died out in the town it was
replaced by buttony…but that is another story.
(Illustration: Daniel Defoe)
Who were the lace maker,s
ReplyDeleteApparently lacemaking came to Blandford back in the 16th century with the arrival of Flemish refugees and was at its peak towards the end of the 17th century. It was much admired by Queen Mary. (Blandford by Peter Smith - 1968)
ReplyDelete