The Loriners Multi Academy Trust

The story behind the name …

It is well documented that Walsall has an amazing heritage in respect of the leather industry.  The origins of Walsall's saddle-making industry date back to the Middle Ages, when early recorded history noted that among the area's artisans were craftsmen working with leather.

Essential to the leather industry were the area’s ‘loriners’.

These are artisan craft workers and ironmongers who produced a variety of horse-related items, including stirrups, bits, buckles, spurs, saddle trees and harness mounts and decorations. The leather industry couldn’t survive or thrive without this vital craft! The pioneers of the town's leather goods trade were bridle cutters who, by settling in Walsall, could call upon the highly developed skills of local loriners for their bits and buckles.

The loriners' chief requirements were high grade iron, coal, charcoal and limestone and were perfectly placed in the Black Country which is rich in all of these essential elements.

The development of the town's leather industry gained pace after 1840 when the South Staffordshire Railway provided Walsall with the opportunity of exporting its goods throughout the country.

By 1851 there were 75 firms making bridles, saddles and harness – all supported by loriners!

It is fair to say that the Walsall leather industry could not exist without the craft of lorinery that held all of the important working parts of saddle, bridles, stirrups and bits together.

All parts work interactively and are stronger when working together.

We are proud to be The Loriners MAT, which not only celebrates Walsall, and our surrounding areas, but which also recognises the essential partnerships that are needed to make something stronger… together.

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