From wool to linen and silk. The consumption of cloth by the Royal Houses of Aragon and Castile: from the 14th to the early 16th centuries

Abstract

A partir de las compras de tejidos de los tesoreros de Sancho IV de Castilla, Jaime II de Aragón, Juan II de Castilla e Isabel I de Castilla –tanto para la familia real como para su entorno–, se puede sostener que entre 1300 y 1500 declinó el consumo de tejidos caros de lana en favor de los de seda, probablemente por la similitud de precios de unos y otros. También se desarrolló un incremento espectacular del consumo de tejidos de lino, especialmente de holandas, y se usaron de forma novedosa, empleados para que la vida cotidiana fuera más cómoda.

Based on the purchases of fabrics by the treasurers of Sancho IV of Castile, Jaime II of Aragon, Juan II of Castile and Isabel I of Castile, both for the royal family and their entourage, it can be argued that between 1300 and 1500 the consumption of woollen fabrics declined, replaced by silk, probably due to the similarity in prices of expensive wool and silks. A spectacular increase in the consumption of linen fabrics was also developed, especially in holandas, as it was used in brand new ways and in general to make everyday life more pleasant.