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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Wilton
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(5km/3m W of Salisbury) Small town in Wiltshire long associated with the manufacture of carpets. A factory for hand-made carpets was established here in 1655 and was granted a royal charter in 1699. During the 18C the Brussels style of carpet, woven with a pile made from looped wool, was in fashion; Wilton modified this by cutting each loop to give a tufted pile. The mechanical looms developed in the 19C for this type of carpet in either form became known as Wilton looms, and the term Wilton now describes any carpet, cut or uncut, which is woven on such a loom. The vast bulk of modern mass-produced carpet is either Wilton or *Axminster, with the development of which Wilton was also closely involved. The Wilton Royal Carpet Museum, opened at Wilton in 1983, shows the history of carpet making together with modern methods, seen in a tour of the factory.
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