Industrial history: The bleaching privilege
The privilege was issued in Dresden on 14 December 1357:
In it, the margraves granted "the humble luten Nykel Manhoubte muentzmeister zcu Friberg, Nykele Schultheissin zcu der Myteweide, Mathis Maltzmeister burger zcu Kempnitz und Hentzel Randecken burger zcu Friberg unsern liben getruwen und iren erben erloubet, .... that they should and must have a pale, and that no one else should have a pale, even for ten miles in our lands".
Textile production in the 18th century
Due in part to the bleaching privilege, the textile industry developed steadily and was the pillar of Chemnitz's economy in the 18th century with cotton weaving and calico printing. more
In addition, the export of flax, yarn and unbleached canvas from the Meissen region was prohibited. As a result, a bleaching plant was established for the Margraviate of Meissen on a meadow of around three to four hectares on the Chemnitz River north of the town, which provided the conditions for it to occupy a central position in the system of textile production and trade.
The linen sheets were laid out on the fenced-in lawns - around 1400 up to 130,000 square metres a year; waterers poured water onto the linen sheets from a specially constructed ditch system. As the bleaching process itself was dependent on the weather, it could sometimes be quite lengthy.
After the process was completed, ironers were responsible for smoothing the fabrics. The bleaching master organised the production and commercial process. A bleaching judge represented the sovereign's claims. Despite numerous attempts, the sovereigns were unable to eliminate smaller and larger corner and rival bleaching works, the most important of which probably existed in Rochlitz and Penig, as these usually worked better and under more favourable conditions for the small master weavers.