The Shining Wyrm

8.i

One should entrust one’s wife to the specific care and concerns of the weaving and spinning labor. But in the generalities likely to concern a lord, I’ve found the following evident.

If you should find yourself betrothed to a youth these can also serve as lessons for one’s spouse to gain a foundation but I recommend marrying no younger than sixteen winters for precisely the concern of skill and experience in these matters.

In the event that one’s spouse must be younger than this I recommend bringing in consul and tutors in the matter. Especially valuable is to have a trusted elder of women to see to the training of a child wife so she may grow into the responsibility.

Men who claim skill in weaving and matters of spinning should be distrusted until proven by trial in the workings of it and even then, unless they are otherwise infirm or incapable of the normal work, should not be considered for the task.

Now all said I can give forth in general terms thus.

For every three persons in your staff and household to be clothed well, it is recommended that you employ at least five women’s labor year round to the act of spinning thread and weaving cloth.

This is in addition to what work is required to harvest the necessary plant or animal produce to begin the process. Flax is abundantly found in warmer lands, but animal wool is also very fine.

Furthermore, keep close watch on households among your demesne who through fate or calamity are short on men. A household of women can be a powerful source of weaving and spinning hands. Seeing that such are otherwise supported and allowed to meet a double obligation of labor paid to spin your own thread and cloth.

If you have the flax or sheep to support it you can either distribute the fields that such a household of spinning sisters might otherwise labor as this spinster work can be its equal to the fields unworked by them.

It is however best to leave such labors and the governance of such to one’s wife where possible.

-Coinage and Lordly Stewardship by Sir Broghuilidad Silvertongue of Cortaza