Collect this page

Wool cloth making in Medieval Exwick

Tillet blocks from RAMM

By Sarah, Curator of West Exe

In the Middle Ages (Medieval period) Exwick was an important centre for turning wool into cloth. Some of the local street names still give clues about this bit of Exwick history. For example Rackfields was where the newly washed cloth was stretched out on racks to dry.

Hallmarks for the finest cloth

These wooden blocks are called tillet blocks. They were used to print a mark on the outside of a bale of new wool cloth. This was a mark of quality. It also identified the maker, so in a way it was like a hallmark on gold or silver jewellery.