Two things make England's floorcoverings important—the unique charm of her free flowery patterns, and the tremendous contributions she has made to modern weaves and methods of production.
The early history of her floorcoverings is pieced together from old documents and pictures. Long after fine carpets were plentiful in Spain, the floors of England's royal palaces were still covered with hay or rushes.
It must have been rather grimy verdure at that, for it was considered a foolish extravagance when Cardinal Wolsey ordered fresh rushes laid every day in Hampton Court Palace.
