History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 66

family stamped thereon to prevent imposition. The linen industry thus steadily
increased in importance. At the Union of the two Parliaments, linen was woven in 25
counties in Scotland. Flax was then grown in the country, and abundance of raw
material was also obtained from the Baltic. Forfarshire (Angus and Mearns) and Fife
produced most of the sail-cloth and canvas for the Navy in the days of sailing-ships.
The son of a Scottish weaver called Wilson enlisted for the wars in Flanders about the
year 1670. During the course of the wars he procured a blue and white checked
handkerchief that had been woven on a Flemish loom. Wilson (who later adopted
Flakefield as his cognomen, taken from his birthplace) preserved, with great care, a
remnant of the handkerchief and returning to his native land in 1700, weaved a similar
article. About 24 handkerchiefs comprised the first web. The novelty pleased the local
and Glasgow merchants and the bold adventurer readily sold his output of
handkerchiefs in a few hours, the first of the kind ever made in Britain. The goods
eventually met with universal approbation. The number of looms daily increased, so
that in a few years Glasgow became famous for that branch of the linen trade.
Flemings introduced furniture carving which may be studied in the choir stalls of many
Scottish churches. Flemish craftsmen plastered the walls and ceilings of the royal
castles. Another Flemish innovation was polished wood floors, which excited peculiar
displeasure among the rougher and elder type of noble warrior, for many a grave
courtier at first, accustomed to the old-fashioned floors strewn with evil-smelling
rushes, cut a most undignified figure falling and sprawling on the polished surface.
The Flemings were experts in masonry (the “Flemish Bond” in brick structures). Glass
manufacture was started in the Wemyss Glassworks, Fife, by Lord George Hay (the
Hay family was of Flemish origin) with Flemish and Venetian glassblowers during the
reign of James VI of Scotland. The De Colnet family were perhaps the greatest of
Flemish glassmakers; they were associated with the Ferrors of Venice and worked at
making mirrors in the Venetian manner. They introduced the art to Britain.
Many of the early mining schemes in Scotland owe not a little to skilled Flemish mining
engineers. Crawfordjohn, founded by a Fleming, was the center in Scotland of the
lead-mining district. The Flemish Huguenots were expert salt-makers. There is little
doubt but that the establishing of saltpans in Scotland was greatly encouraged by
naturalized Flemings.
The Scots owe the introduction of their hawthorn hedges to Flemish refugee
husbandmen who came to Scotland in the l7th century and commenced cultivating the
soil and fencing the farms that had previously given up wool as their staple product.
The wood, from its tough quality made ideal cogs for their looms and for supplying
many other parts of their spinning wheels, as well as many vital portions of their
machinery. Moreover, it ranked among the best fuel, burning as well when green as
when dry. The systematic growth and regular scientific rotation of crops were known
and understood by the Flemings 200 years before Scottish farmers attempted such
progressive farming. Their introduction of the humble turnip brought a great revolution
in Scottish life. It led to the enclosing of fields with stone dykes, built to keep the cattle
off the delicious root. The introduction and cultivation of this root was of great
importance in providing winter feeding and gave a great impetus to the Scottish cattle
trade, which had a very beneficial effect, especially on Scotland’s finances, and
greatly raised the standard of living.

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