7. Fuller
The fuller played an essential role in the medieval textile industry, responsible for cleaning and thickening woolen cloth. This process, known as fulling, involved trampling the fabric in a concoction of water and special clay called fuller’s earth. This mixture helped to remove oils and impurities from the wool, while also compacting the fibers to create a denser, more durable fabric. Fullers often worked in fulling mills, where the rhythmic pounding of cloth was a familiar sound. Despite the physically taxing nature of their work, fullers contributed significantly to the production of high-quality textiles that were essential to everyday life.
