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Woad production, Algarkirk, Lincolnshire NMR02_01_00009
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Woad production, Algarkirk, Lincolnshire NMR02_01_00009
Algarkirk, Lincolnshire. A group of man and women cropping woad and collecting it in large wicker baskets. The earliest woad production in Britain dates from the Iron Age. By the 19th century, cheap production and imports of blue dye from indigo plants in Asia led to the woad industrys decline in Britain. The last commercial woad production in Britain was recorded in 1932 in Lincolnshire. Lantern Slide Collection, undated
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 12374068
© Historic England Archive
Agriculture Archive Costume Field People Work Harvesting Woad
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This photograph, NMR02_01_00009 from the Historic England Archive, offers a glimpse into the past of Algarkirk, Lincolnshire, where woad production was once a significant agricultural endeavor. In this image, a group of men and women are seen working in a woad field, meticulously cropping the plant and collecting it in large wicker baskets. Woad, a source of natural blue dye, holds historical significance in Britain, with the earliest evidence of its production dating back to the Iron Age. The vibrant colors of their traditional costumes contrast beautifully with the lush green foliage, adding to the authenticity of the scene. Woad cultivation was once a thriving industry in Britain, but by the 19th century, the advent of cheaper production and imports of blue dye from indigo plants in Asia led to its decline. The last recorded instance of woad production in Britain was in 1932, right here in Lincolnshire. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone era, when the labor-intensive process of woad cultivation was a vital part of rural life. The image invites us to reflect on the rich history of agriculture and the people who shaped it, as well as the cultural and economic significance of natural dyes in our past.
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