History Of Cranbrook

A hamlet probably began to grow here in the 11th century. By the end of the 13th century, the village was of sufficient importance to be granted the right by king Edward I to hold a market.

Cranbrook was transformed in the 14th century by the introduction if wool weaving from Flanders. The wealth resulting from the broadcloth industry is reflected in the magnificence of the mediaeval church and in the surviving large houses and cloth halls.

An act of 1566 which forbade the export of unfinished cloth brought an end to the prevalence of the Cloth Industry. In 1573 Queen Elizabeth I visited the town and received a loyal address of welcome at the George Inn.

In the 17th century agriculture took over as the principle industry and Cranbrook developed as the market town for the area. Hops and Fruit became important to the area in the 18th Century.

The poor quality of the roads at this time meant that peoples needs could be most economically by local tradesmen - So the town continued to prosper, however the new railway in the 19th century bought the cheaper products of the Industrial Revolution and outward access to bigger and better markets.

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