Weight, wool weight

Wool weights were cast in standard weights of 7lbs, 14lbs and 28lbs and were often intended for use in pairs. The slots or holes were threaded with a leather strap so that the weight could be suspended from a beam or across the back of a horse and counterbalanced with an equivalent weight of wool. Pairs of weights were slung across a horse's back for transport from one location to another. During the course of the 17th century many measures were introduced to protect and boost the domestic manufacture of woollen cloth and one of the most remarkable was Act 18 and 19 Charles II c 4 of 1666 entitled 'An Act for Burying in Woollen onely' which read: 'For the encouragement of the Woollen manufactures of this kingdom and prevention of the exportation of the moneys there of for the buying nad importing of linne, be it enacted... that from and after the 5 and 20th day of March in tye year o four Lord 1667 no person or persons whatever shall be buryed in any shirt, shift, or hseete made of or mingled with flax, hemp, or silk,..or other than what shall be made of Wooll onley.. upon pain of hte forgeiture of hte sum of £5, to be employed to the use of the Poore of the Parish.' There was to be no plenalty if the deceased died of plague. See also Major Herbert C Dnet, 'Old English Bronze Wool Weights', 1927 (private publication).