Erfgoed Delft

Convents of the Third Order of Francis normally (partly) supported themselves by weaving cloth and copying manuscripts. In Delft the sisters of the St Agatha convent were indeed involved in the cloth industry. Their activities drew regular protest from Delft's established cloth industry. As the convent was exempt from taxes and had no labour costs, Delft's weavers saw them as unfair competition. Yet the city council took no steps against the nuns. Good relations with the St Agatha convent were seen as valuable to the city. Although it is not known whether or not the nuns were copying manuscripts, the presence of a scriptorium (writing room) and a convent library room make this not improbable.