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Posted

On another discussion I mentioned a Chapman's Pack.

@Klara asked what a Chapman's pack looked like. She could not find an example via google.

In medieval times the chapman was a travelling shop. He came around your area every once in a while. He brought his stock of household requirements in his pack. He brought needles & threads, thimbles, eating knives, spare buckles to repair old belts, he brought toys for children,  confections, cheap jewellery, ribbons & lace and more to sell to village and country housewives. One thing he brought which was priceless was the latest news from around the Kingdom or just the next parish or village

The chapman travelled alone on foot in person but usually had a dog to accompany him and for protection. He did his rounds just about every day of the year, no selling on Sundays though and except in the very worst of weather. He got shelter and food from his customers and at Abbeys. He carried his shop on his back. Very rarely was he ever robbed. He was one of those who bandits never really bothered, he was just an ordinary workman earning his living.

When I was involved with historical presentation societies I choose to be the simple craftsman whilst everyone else wanted to be the 'Black Knight' and do the sword fights. Guess who got more attention? More photos in local & national papers?

Towards the end of my time doing events I made a basic Chapman's Pack but was planning on making a better one. Just opening up the Pack drew crowds of attention at events

My pack is based on several drawings which were in the margins of early illuminated books, mainly from the early to mid 14th century (the 1300s)

Herewith is a basic sketch outline of what a Chapman's pack looked like and how it was opened up

The box shape is made of extremely thin and light weight wood, about no more than 1/8 inch thick for the panels and the frames about 1.5 to 3 inches thick. My sketch is very basic. Those who study it will realise that the depth of each main side, top & bottom piece is different to accommodate the thickness of the panels when they are folded in.

Generally the pack was about 18 to 20 inches wide, the width of a strong man at the shoulders. It was about 20 to 26 inches tall, from top of shoulders down to arse and between 8 and 16 inches deep.  The rear-most panel had waterproof material on it as it was first on the ground when opened and when up it closed off the contents from wind and rain. Each panel opening in its sequence. The hinges were often of hardened leather.

Each side panel and top opening panel, or flap, had various ways to hang the Chapman's wares for display. Some cheap items just being laid out the ground flap, the goods protected by the waterproof cover.  The most expensive items remaining in the main box of the pack but could be seen. The shoulder straps would be unbuckled and re-attached to the flap to hold it up.

Rarely, the chapman also carried, attached to the pack, 4 wood shafts, each about 3 ft long which he could attach to the base of the pack somehow to raise the pack up, to make it easier for customers to see his goods - no kneeling down, better for elderly housewives in market places

Obviously there can be a great many variations on this design

Chapman's pack, 01LWs2.jpg

 

Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..

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  • Members
Posted

Great info, thanks a lot! And the pack itself is a brilliant idea, I want one even if I don't know what for ;) (leather tools?)

I completely understand that you got more attention as as a craftsman than the fighters. At my last visit to a medieval show I was definitely underwhelmed by the sword fights - NZ does it better! ;)

 

  • Members
Posted

Very informative great stuff @fredk

  • Members
Posted

Very nice read.  

  • Members
Posted

The pack reminds me of seeing street salesmen in old movies where they carry something similar but in the form of a briefcase or suitcase.  Mostly from the 1930s and 40s.  I'd assume those movie depictions are based on reality - but have no way of really knowing!

- Bill

  • CFM
Posted

awesome info Fred some of the first traveling salesmen lol. 

"Guess who got more attention? More photos in local & national papers?" And it was probably the same back then.

 

Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms.

“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!

  • Members
Posted

Great information

I looked at the drawings, and got to think about if the waterproof cover would have been made a bit longer than the first opening flap, so that when the pack was all closed up, this piece would extend over the top of the entire pack to prevent rain from getting in where the top hinges are?

Brgds

Jonas

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Posted (edited)

I know I have seen something similar that was made for artists.  The front flap would serve as a clean, flat surface for drawing or painting and the side flaps held pencils, brushes, etc.  There were storage areas in the main part of the case too, for larger items.  Tried to find it again, but no luck.

I did find a doctors bag that is similar.  Wouldn't take much to change this one to allow the sides to "wing out" rather than stay in place or hinge down.

Lodge Furnishings | Doctor's Traveling Medicine Kit | doctor's bag –  Cisco's GalleryOr this one...craftsman tool bag.  Brown Leather Craftsman Tool Case Satchel | 1stdibs.com | Leather diy,  Leather craftsmen, Leather handmade

Edited by Tugadude

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