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Both plant and animal fibres were used to make textiles. In the beginning, mainly bast fibres (willow, linden) and various grasses were used. Later, plants particularly suitable for textile production, such as flax and hemp, were also bred. Hemp fibre is strong, coarse and darker than flax, but not flexible, making it less suitable for clothing and instead was used more for ropes and cordage. Cotton was unknown in Europe until the late Middle Ages.
The most common animal raw material was wool, which has good thermal insulation properties, high absorbency, elasticity and dyes well. It was combed or sheared from sheep.
Silk was imported from Asia as a rare and luxurious commodity.
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