Animal skins have been tanned and used by humans for around 500,000 years. The animals were hunted for their meat and the by-product skins worn for warmth. Leather has been used throughout the world. In ancient Egypt leather was a valued and important trade item. The Greeks and Romans used leather for their armour, shields and footwear.

In the Anglo-Saxon period leather was commonly used for all manner of items. Clothing like shoes, cloaks, belts and jerkins were made, as were items like pouches, saddles, harnesses and cups. Leather was also used in war for scabbards and shield coverings. It was even used for decorative art and bookbinding’s.

Hides came from cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer and were a popular material to use as it gave flexibility, durability and strength. To sew leather, particularly thick leather as awl was used to make holes. It was then stitched with a needle or pig bristle using beeswaxed linen, wool or even gut thread. The beeswax helped to preserve the thread and made it easier to sew with. The leather was sometimes dyed or painted.

In Medieval England most industries were carried out by master craftsmen and aided by apprentices under Craft Guilds. The skins could also be tanned in such a way as to keep the hair on the skin, though neither the Vikings nor the Saxon used fur skins as clothing. It was only the richer people who hunted game purely for the pelts.