Seventeenth Century Living History Society
Rope Maker
Rope would have been made locally within many towns. Rope would have been made by winding hemp twine which was twisted and counter twisted on a mechanical rope walk. The rope maker would have been aided by an apprentice, who would have helped in the process.
Rope would have had a number uses, naval and fishing uses would have been widespread. Rope was also commonly used in beds instead of timber slats that are common place today.
During the war rope became a commodity and would have been in demand to create match cord (rope soaked in salt peter), as the ignition for the matchlock musket. There was such a shortage of cord for match after the battle of Lansdowne that the Royalists collected the bedcords of the towns folk of Devizes! Also on campaign tents would have required ropes for guy ropes and for harnessing and strapping.