| It is really interesting to me that no one in the UK | | | | standard Government tax imposed in Russia, by |
| seems to have heard about Russian linen. | | | | Peter the Great, was the standard tax on flax. |
| Everyone knows there is Irish linen but how on | | | | Russian linen is a quality product and one of our |
| earth - with all stories about Siberia and the really | | | | manufactures was even a supplier of the Russian |
| bad Russian weather and climate - can there be | | | | Royal Court in the 19th century when they were |
| linen from Russia? Simple… In Russia, we | | | | weaving the most beautiful and highest quality |
| never had any cotton and through centuries linen | | | | Jacquard tablecloths for the Russian Tsars to use |
| became a national treasure. Linen is the most | | | | and enjoy in their Palaces. So today, with the help |
| ancient fabric known to man. For centuries people | | | | of Alenska, you can enjoy the same in your own |
| have been growing flax which is then made into | | | | home! Nowadays linen flax is one of the main |
| fibre and woven to become linen. Domestication | | | | materials used in the manufacture of UK |
| of flax occurred in India and China well before | | | | banknotes and improves their useful life. And yes, |
| cotton ever did - more than 5,000 years ago. But | | | | we can joke about linen having the same value as |
| despite its venerable age flax remains to be as | | | | money… Here are a few more interesting |
| young as ever and is always in trend. Flax has | | | | facts about flax fibre: • The famous |
| been grown in Russia since 2000 B.C. and ancient | | | | Turin Shroud (that bears the image of Jesus |
| manuscripts from 1,000 years B.C. contain | | | | Christ and was used to wrap his body) is spun |
| evidence of linen made by the Slavs. Oriental | | | | from flax fibres. There is also evidence that the |
| writers of the time also described Slavs dressed | | | | towel bearing Christ's image which was not |
| in linen clothing. Prior to the formation of Kievan | | | | painted by human hands - was also made of linen. |
| Russia (pre-Moscow), all Slavic tribes that inhabited | | | | • Prior to the invention of paper, |
| the Eastern European plain grew flax. Flax was | | | | manuscripts were written on linen. One of the |
| used to make sailcloth, fishing nets, ropes and | | | | most renowned manuscripts - "Linen Book" by |
| linseed oil. In the 10th-11th centuries A.D. flax was | | | | ancient Etruscans - was written on linen in the 7th |
| extensively grown for fibre and seed. It was | | | | century B.C. • In ancient Greece linen |
| regarded as an important crop both for crafts | | | | clothes were the privilege of high priests. |
| and commerce. Peasants used it to pay feudal | | | | • The famous army leader Alexander |
| taxes and make payments to the Tsar's | | | | the Great wore an armour made of… linen |
| treasury. Russian Princes collected tribute in linen. | | | | to protect him in battle. It was said to be |
| In the late 19th-early 20th century, Russia | | | | impenetrable to the enemy's sword. • In |
| emerged as the leading producer and exporter of | | | | ancient Russia, linen clothes were worn on festive |
| flax and linen among European nations. So popular | | | | occasions. The first ever flag in Russia approved |
| was linen and its variety of uses that the first | | | | by Peter the Great was made of linen. |