glad to see the reference to Swedish and Viking.
see : http://www.roseindia.net/articles/fine-swedish-table.page

now what is Beetling? http://www.derryvisitor.com/P3223-Wellbrook-Beetling-Mill-Cookstown.aspx

there is info (U.K.gov't document)here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/growing/crops/industrial/pdf/flaxhemp-report.pdf

including:

Long flax fibre are fibres that are at least 50 cm long after scutching when arranged in parallel strands.

FLAX fibre and tow Linum usitatissimum Broken, scutched, hackled etc. but not spun. Traditionally, FAO has used this commodity to identify
production in its raw state; in reality, the primary agricultural product is flax straw.

Hurd Short fibre and other stem materials that can be used where
short fibre and cellulosic material is required.

Ret or Retting The process whereby either natural fungal and microbial action, enzymes or chemical solutions are used to cause a break down of the cells surrounding the fibre cells, so releasing them for cleaning and processing

Scutching The process in which the longer bast fibres are separated after retting from the woody core (shiv q.v.) parts of the plant, and
other non-fibre material. In essence the stems of the plants are
subject to combing by drums of steel blades.

Tow The short fibre component of flax, hemp and other bast fibre
plants. It can be spun into yarn, or used as a material like cotton
wool

Isn't there also a reference to "Hal and Tow" in several songs??