Industry in the Countryside

Focusing on the concept of 'proto-industrialisation', this study delves into the Kentish Weald's textile industry before the Industrial Revolution. It highlights the dual employment of textile workers and the region's cottage industry roots during the Tudor era. The analysis includes local landholding patterns, farming practices, and demographic factors that shaped rural industrialisation. By examining the socio-economic landscape, the author questions the validity of the 'proto-industrialisation' model and its implications for understanding rural manufacturing's evolution.