# Alnage

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alnage
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alnage.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnage
> Source revision: 1279007406
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Alnage**, or **aulnage** (from [Old French](/source/Old_French) *aune*, [ell](/source/Ell); parallel to "[yardage](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/yardage)") was the official supervision of the shape and quality of manufactured [woolen](/source/Wool) [cloth](/source/Cloth).

## Origins

The alnage was first ordered in 1196, during the reign of [Richard I](/source/Richard_I_of_England), that "woollen cloths, wherever they are made, shall be of the same width, to wit, of two ells within the lists, and of the same goodness in the middle and sides."[1] This ordinance is usually known as the [Assize of Measures](/source/Weights_and_Measures_Acts_(UK)#12th_century) or the Assize of Cloth. Article 35 of [Magna Carta](/source/Magna_Carta) re-enacted the Assize of Cloth, and in the reign of [Edward I](/source/Edward_I_of_England) an official called an "alnager" or "aulnager" was appointed to enforce it.[2] His duty was to measure each piece of cloth, and to affix a [stamp](/source/Seal_(emblem)) to show that it was of the necessary size and quality.[3] If faulty, the cloth was forfeit to the crown.[4]

## Later developments

As, however, the diversity of the wool and the importation of cloths of various sizes from abroad made it impossible to maintain any specific standard of width, the rules as to size were repealed in 1353. The increased growth of the woolen trade, and the introduction of new and lighter drapery in the reign of [Elizabeth I](/source/Elizabeth_I_of_England), compelled a revision of the old standards. A statute was passed in [1665](/source/1665_in_England) creating the office of alnager of the new drapery, and defining the sizes to which cloth should be woven. The object of the statute was to prevent people being deceived by buying spurious woolen cloth, and to provide against fraud and imposition. Owing to the introduction of the alternative standard, a distinction arose between "broadcloth" ([broadwoven cloth](/source/Broadwoven_cloth) of two yards) and "streit" or "strait" ([narrow cloth](/source/Narrow_cloth) of one yard). The meaning now attached to [broadcloth](/source/Broadcloth), however, is often merely that of material of specific type. Alnage duties and the office of alnager were abolished in [1699](/source/1699_in_England).[3]

## See also

- [Maltolt](/source/Maltolt)
- [Statute of the Staple](/source/Statute_of_the_Staple)
- [Weights and Measures Acts (UK)](/source/Weights_and_Measures_Acts_(UK)) for quotes of relevant legislation

## References

1. S H Steinberg ed., *A New Dictionary of British History* (London 1963) p. 23

1. S H Steinberg ed., *A New Dictionary of British History* (London 1963) p. 23

1. This cites: * [W. J. Ashley](/source/William_Ashley_(economic_historian)), *Economic History* * [W. Cunningham](/source/William_Cunningham_(economist)), *Growth of English Industry and Commerce*

1. S H Steinberg ed., *A New Dictionary of British History* (London 1963) p. 23

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alnage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnage) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnage?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.