One of the things Melton is famous for is its involvement in the wool trade, being part of the Trade Council of Edward III in 1339. In the March edition of Historic Melton, I look at the connection between Park House on Leicester Street and the ancient medeival wool trade.
Melton Cloth is traditionally made of wool that is woven in a twill form and recognised for its windproof and waterproof qualities. Garments such as donkey jackets, Navy Pea coats, military uniforms and the scarlet hunting jackets are examples of clothing made from Melton Cloth. Queen Victoria even had a pair of curtains commissioned for Windsor Castle made from Melton Cloth.
But what is there today in Melton that connects us to this historic trade?
The building we know today as Egerton Lodge was built in the 16th Century and originally known as Park House. It is often confused with Parke House situated at Thorpe End which was named after a local solicitor, James Parke, who lived there in the late 18th Century.
In 1597, Park House was home to William Alkins, a Town Warden. He was also a Merchant Stapler working for the Company of Merchants of the Staple of England, a company incorporated by Royal Charter in 1319. Dealing in wool and skins it also controlled the export of wool to the continent during the late medieval period.
An ancient woolhouse run by the Merchants of the Staple believed to have been built in the early 1200’s once stood on the South side of Sherrard Street. Although this disappeared many years ago, remnants of this 13th Century building still exist.
Another Park House, now the House of Beauty by Bailey, stands on Leicester Street. Standing proud on its roof is an intricately carved medieval pinnacle believed to be from the woolhouse and sited there when it was built in 1892. Stone tracery from one of the woolhouse windows is also said to be preserved in St Mary’s Church.
There were also several pubs in town that hinted towards the wool trade, for example, the Golden Fleece on Leicester Street, the Woolpack Inn, originally on Sherrard Street then later at Thorpe End and the Bishops Blaze on Sherrard Street. Bishop Blaze was the Patron Saint of Wool Coombers.
Like many of Melton’s historic buildings, evidence of the wool trade has now been lost but signs are still there if you know where to look.
