Concept    From 1600  To 1850

Spitalfields weaving industry

Categories: Commerce, Craft / Design

Many of the Huguenots that arrived here in the 16th and 17th centuries were skilled silk weavers and set up looms in their homes in Spitalfields. The Spitalfields textile trade thrived until the mid 18th century when the importation of foreign wrought silks damaged the local business. By the early 19th century machinery was being invented which heralded the end of the hand-weaving industry.

British History On-line has a very useful page. And, of course, Spitalfields Life, the source of our photo (held at the Tower Hamlets Local History Collection) is interesting on the topic.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Spitalfields weaving industry

Commemorated ati

Bowler plaque - Shuttle and Bobbins

The plaque shows a shuttle and two bobbins, representing the local weaving tr...

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Bowler plaque - Silk Design (A)

The plaque shows a detail from a design for the silk fabric produced in Spita...

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Other Subjects

World's first cash machine

World's first cash machine

In spite of the plaque's claim, there is evidence of a cash dispensing machine being used in Tokyo in 1966. The invention of the British version has been credited to John Shepherd-Barron of the pri...

Event, Commerce, Engineering

2 memorials
Joseph Hardcastle

Joseph Hardcastle

Merchant and evangelical activist.  Born Leeds.  Came to London in 1766.  Good friend of Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect.  Co-founder of the London Missionary Society in 1795 and its treasurer for...

Person, Commerce, Religion

1 memorial
Tom Thornton

Tom Thornton

Newspaper proprietor and campaigner. Born in Norwood. He became owner and editor of the Beckenham Journal, and used his influence in helping to establish the Croydon Road Recreation Ground. His pre...

Person, Commerce, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
Downs Hotel

Downs Hotel

The Pickwick Bicycle Club was founded here on 22 June 1870. At that first meeting, it was decided that the Downs Hotel should be the general rendezvous for bi-weekly excursions on Wednesdays and Sa...

Place, Commerce, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
Tim Yau, MBE

Tim Yau, MBE

President of the 12th Executive Committee of London Chinatown Chinese Association. His name appears twice on the lion monument and it may be Uau or Yau.

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration, Tourism / Traditions, China/Hong Kong

1 memorial