Since 1783

Fabric fit for a King, woven in military history

Founded in 1783, by Abimelech William Hainsworth, 'Old Bim', when he started trading as a cloth merchant at 14-years-old with half-a-crown in the old market town of Pudsey, West Yorkshire.

'Old Bim' would collect cloth woven by cottage weavers on hand looms and take it by horse and cart to Leeds Coloured Cloth Hall. Following his first sale he bought a silver pint mug and began filling it with gold sovereigns and by the time of his death in 1836, he was the wealthiest man in the district. Eeh by gum!

Today, Hainsworth family-run mill is one of UKs oldest woollen mills with a heritage that dates back to the reign of King George III. It has the distinction of being one of the few remaining vertical mills in the UK. Meaning that they start with raw wool at one end, and every stage of production through to the finished cloth happens under their roof. This gives them unrivalled control and ensures complete consistency of

quality. It's also the only woollen mill trusted to create the striking scarlet cloth worn by one of the oldest and most iconic regiments in the British Army...the Grenadier Guards.

From the thin red line of Wellington's troops at Waterloo

For the best part of the 18th-19th century, Hainsworth were supplying the British military with iconic scarlet cloth made famous by humble 'redcoat' soldiers who served heroically at the Battle of Waterloo (1815), Charge of the Light Brigade (1854) and South Africa in the Boar War (1899-1902). The phrase 'The Thin Red Line' is depicted by Robert Gibb in his 1881 painting of the same name, and also described by Rudyard Kipling in his poem Tommy, in which he refers to the British soldiers' scarlet uniforms, made from Hainsworth cloth.

In 1899, after generations of supplying scarlet cloth to the military, Hainsworth were tasked with developing a new less conspicuous cloth for British troops to wear while on duty. In conjunction with Leeds University, taking into account colour research, comfort, warmth, protective qualities and durability. A new camouflage cloth was created, khaki serge, worn by troops at WW1 (1914-1918) and WW (1939-1945). Today, the mill is also using wool's flame resistant properties for PPE uniforms worn by professionals such as fire-fighters, police and military in Britain and all across the world to Australia.

In 1917, Hainsworth had been left with a huge quantity of blue-grey cloth woven for the Russian Cossack cavalry that was never delivered due to the Russian revolution. In 1918, a year later, the RAF had formed and were in need of a new uniform to separate themselves from the army and to create their own identity. Hainsworth suggested a unique shade of blue as a perfect match, and luckily for them, the RAF

agreed. The 'Boys in Blue' owe more to the Russian revolution than the colour of the sky in which it flies.

Hainsworth dressing royalty since the Battle of Waterloo!

Hainsworth fabric has also played a role in Royal Weddings. In 1981 Charles, then Prince of Wales, wore Hainsworth cloth on his wedding to Lady Diana Spencer, as did the Guards in their scarlet tunics lining the Mall. In 2011 Prince William wore Hainsworth cloth for his wedding to Kate Middleton. In fact, that occasion was a double connection for Hainsworth as, back in 1958, the company had acquired another Leeds textile company, William Lupton and Co, the owners of which were the

great-grandparents of Kate Middleton. In 2018, at his wedding to Meghan Markle, Prince Harry was resplendent in his uniform made from dark blue Hainsworth cloth, as was his best man, Prince William. More recently, in 2023, at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Hainsworth provided many different fabrics used in many 1000s of uniforms worn during the ceremonial parade. Also, Hainsworth cloth was used to produce King Charles III Coronation 'Anointing Screen'. From robes toregalia, where you see red you will see the craftsmanship of Hainsworth.

From Waterloo to the Royal Warrant!

Hainsworth cloth is used by leading fashion brands; its fabric plays a leading role in films; they supply high-tech PPE apparel for emergency services' personnel the world over; they supply the baize for top-grade snooker tables and Steinway pianos. You will find their luxury cloth in Rolls-Royce cars, and their blankets are draped across beds in regal palaces across Europe and the Middle East, as well as in the hallowed chambers of the Vatican. They even have a line of biodegradable coffins. It is also used to clothe the woolsack the seat of the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords at the heart of British democracy. Today, they are also proud to carry the Royal Warrant for supplying furnishing fabrics to Queen Elizabeth II.

"I have discovered a company that makes a woollen coffin-coffins ladies and gentleman, to die for." King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, joked.

And it all started with 'Old Bim' and half-a-crown

in 1783. "Greatness from small beginnings."

Sir Francis Drake

In 1815, Hainsworth mill manufactured the iconic

scarlet cloth for English troops at the Battle of Waterloo

The Grenadier Guards

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. Attribution: Betty Longbottom

Hainsworth cloth proudly carries the Royal Warrant,

awarded for supplying furnishing fabrics to Queen

Elizabeth II.

 Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

Hainsworth Fabrics

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