Dear folks, not only did cordwainers consider themselves a cut above bootmakers but, at least in 18th century Scotland, they wished it known that they were also not common shoemakers since they made 'single-soled shoes'. Cordovan was originally goatskin tanned and dressed, but later of course included split horsehide. Cordwainers are mentioned in 1100 (at a time when Cordovan was Moorish) often as cordiner or cordner, shoemakers in 1365, bootmakers 1630 (though boot dates from 1186 and the surname Boot means bootmaker). David