Falding

Falding was a rough-napped cloth or frieze that was made in Ireland during the 14th century. It was a colored woolen cloth, variably made with pile or cut pile.^[1] There is conflicting information about falding's texture. Some sources describe it as a soft cloth, while others describe it as coarse.^[1][2][3][4]

Coarse wool was used to produce Falding.^[5] It is probable that falding was also made in Northern Europe, and identical to the woollen wraps referred to as "faldones" by Hermoldus.^[3]

Use

Falding was comparable to the rough red woolen fabric used for petticoats and jackets by Irish peasants.^[6]

Mentions

Geoffrey Chaucer mentioned falding in the prologue to The Canterbury Tales, describing the Shipman as wearing a falding gown.^[7]

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle mentions falding in Chapter 3 ("How Hordle John Cozened The Fuller of Lymington") of The White Company, in which the expelled novice Hordle John tricks Peter the fuller into giving up his clothing.