It is probable that people soon realised
that rushes were particularly durable and,
even before they learned how to weave them into mats, they scattered them on the
floors of his homes, to provide a cheap covering which could be replaced once it
was worn. Rushes were also dipped into fat so that, when lit, they acted as a
primitive candle. Rush-weaving became an established craft in the Middle Ages
when rushes were used to make carpets, mats, and baskets.
Both the bulrush (Schoenoplectus lacustris),
known as bolder, and the lesser reed-
mace (Typha angustifolia), known as gladden, were employed, each having its
particular uses. Bolder was made into rush-matting, but because of its scarcity, little
home-produced material is now used, although some is imported.
Gladden (Lesser reed mace) was used in
the weaving of a type of basket known as
a frail, although a mixture of this and bolder was also used. It was also made into
horse collars as it was easy on the neck, and these were popular in East Anglia.
Industries grew up where there was a plentiful
supply of materials, such as the River
Deben in Suffolk, where the Deben rush-weavers, whose headquarters were at
Debenham, originated. However, the supply has now disappeared and material is
brought in from Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. To ensure that the rushes
meet their stringent requirements, the rush-cutting is arranged by the weavers.
Difficulty has always been experienced
in harvesting the rush, because its roots are
under the water. Using a typical reaping hook, and working in water, a good cutter
can harvest as many as 100 bundles in a day. As the rushes are cut, they are laid
on the water and are later collected and bundled together. The bundles are formed
into a raft which floats down the waterway to a suitable collecting point. Once
removed from the water, the rushes are allowed to drain on the bank before being
taken away.
Heat cannot be used in the drying process
as this would make the rushes brittle
and useless, so they have to dry naturally. Quality varies, even within one area, and
both stiff and pliable stems can be found. The pliable stems are used for hand-
weaving, e.g. for hats, baskets and table mats, while the stiff stems, being more
resilient, are used for chair seats and on looms to make rush-matting.
Both
the bulrush (Schoenoplectus lacustris), known as bolder, and the lesser reed-
mace (Typha angustifolia), known as gladden, were employed, each having its
particular uses. Bolder was made into rush-matting, but because of its scarcity,
little home-produced material is now used, although some is imported.
