Bay (Bayette, Bayeta) was a napped coarse woolen fabric, not technically considered cloth,[1] introduced to England by Flemish immigrants in the 16th century.
[2][7] Bay making was introduced to Colchester in the 15th century following economic and social change after the Black Death.
[8] To revive the textile industry in Colchester, Edward III issued letters of protection to Flemish immigrants fleeing persecution from Catholic Spain.
The River Colne bank provided space to set up tenters, and fulling mills developed around the area.
[1] Raw material was delivered to the mill after being sorted by the wool stapler to ensure the yarn is not uneven.
Before the Industrial Revolution, spinsters would spin the wool in village cottages, twisting the fibres into long threads of yarn.
Spun yarn was sent to the weavers warehouses where it was sized with glue and urine then hung out to dry so it would run well though the loom.