-silk industry developed in the late Middle Ages processing imported thread and producing silk goods.
-The art of making silk thread was developed in England by the silk throwsters of London, Leek (Staffordshire), Macclesfield and Congleton (both in Cheshire).
-The silk thread is reeled off the cocoons in the country of origin and bundled for shipping.
- The history of textiles in England started from home-based family production of necessary wool and linen materials.
- Silk and cotton were introduced at this stage in the development of the industry. Water-powered machinery for mass production in factories (mills) was introduced in the second half of the 18th century and Benson’s Shire book on textile machines illustrates these well.