Long before the 18th century, as recorded in the Knaresborough Workhouse Daybook, the textile industry had already sprung up in West Yorkshire. Besides from breeding livestocks, landowners in fourteenth century started to spin and weave wool too. During the Industrial Revolution took place in 18th century, the invention of a cotton mill greatly improved the manufacturing of fabrics, Knaresborough was no exception. In September 1791, a paper mill was replaced by a cotton mill and subsequently the latter started its operation. At first, the master felt very troublesome when some of the inmates wanted to work there but later he compromised. As he recorded, in January 1792, the best income within the workhouse was made by those who worked at the cotton mill.
REFERENCE:
Bright, S.G. Textile Mills in the 1800s Overview & History | Who Invented the Textile Mill? - Video & Lesson Transcript. study.com. [Online]. [Accessed 25 April 2023]. Available from: https://study.com/learn/lesson/textile-mills-1800s-overview-history-industrial-revolution.html.
British Listing Buidling. Castle Mill Building to North, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. [Accessed 25 April 2023]. Available from: https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101149864-castle-mill-building-to-north-knaresborough.
Owen, E. 2018. Voices from the Past: Textiles in Leeds and West Yorkshire. The Secret Library | Leeds Libraries Heritage Blog. [Online]. [Accessed 25 April 2023]. Available from: https://secretlibraryleeds.net/2018/01/12/voice-past-textiles-leeds-west-yorkshire/.