Never having been to an 'event', I was wondering if you get merchants with booths there - kind of like a more 'real' version of renaisance fair kind of thing.

What would be required for a small group to do a convincing merchant potrayal? All my preconceived notions come from fantasy novels or movies, I'm afraid, but I am picturing a few male or female assistants or servants and one or two guard types.

I ask for a couple of reasons -

I thought I might look for a civilian persona that was psuedo - military, and a merchant's guard might be good, if such a thing actually existed.

Also, it seems like it might be a do-able group portrayal for a small group. Sorry if this sounds goofy - I am trying to get my hands on more books, so I can at least ask better questions, but have patience with me for now

As a starting point, try taking a look at Peter Spufford's "Power and profit; the merchant in Medieval Europe", published by Thames & Hudson.

I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive, so I can't gaurantee its quality, but from the display copy I looked at, it should be a good place for you to start.

Also, there's another thread (about coinage, I don't remember the exact name) on this site which talks about an impression of a banker / mercenary paymaster.

Also, standing armies weren't the norm in the 15th century. Most people who went to war weren't professional soldiers as they are today, they were levied, much like modern National Guardsmen and Reservists are "called up" today.

So, your merchant portrayal is quite feasable.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Jeff Johnson:
Most groups have a few non-combatants; bankers, musicians, merchants, chicken-sellers and prostitutes.

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*ahem!*
and there are some groups that dont contain any combatants at all (or prostitutes either, mr! )

it entirely depends on the scenario your group uses, and the reason they are where they are.

A merchant would probably not set up a booth for a weekend stopover, and well to do merchant (ie one who has servants, etc) likely would not be travelling with a bunch of soldiers if they are actively involved in war movements.

I know Mark der Gaulker and Co portray a bunch of merchants and artisans on the road to a pilgramage shrine, while LaMaisnie does a group of household servants following behind their Lord as he goes from tournament to tournament.

hope this helps some?

--Anne-Marie

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quote:

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Originally posted by Anne-Marie:

*ahem!*
and there are some groups that dont contain any combatants at all (or prostitutes either

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Where's the fun in that?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Jeff Johnson:
Where's the fun in that?

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oh golly, I dunno....

marching in the rain lugging around some #$% Pike, having people try and kill you, that kind of fun?

we obviously have different ideas of fun!

--Anne-Marie, who only carries a pike when it 1. gets a laugh or 2. is the kind you serve with cameline sauce

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Bob is impressed and has just snatched it from me. Even if you don't read it, it is a beautiful hard cover with A LOT of full colour photos for those who like to look at pretty pictures.

I will post a more lucid review when I get the opportunity to read it, assuming I can wrestle it out of Bob's grasp for 10 seconds.

Jenn

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Had a chance to look at it yet?

Gordon

quote:

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Originally posted by Fire Stryker:
I just received my Spufford book today!!

Bob is impressed and has just snatched it from me. Even if you don't read it, it is a beautiful hard cover with A LOT of full colour photos for those who like to look at pretty pictures.

I will post a more lucid review when I get the opportunity to read it, assuming I can wrestle it out of Bob's grasp for 10 seconds.

Jenn

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"Power & Profit", by Peter Spufford 2002

An excellent effort covering a huge topic. Peter Spufford spends the entirety of the book tracing the rise of the Merchant class in Europe, the flow of gold and silver into and out of Europe, the trade routes involving both luxury goods and bulk commodities, the rise of the use of letters of credit and the cheque, and the hazards of trade and travel.

The book is far more readable and entertaining than "Money and it's use in Medieval Europe", which spawned the three decades of research going into "Power & Profit". Both are supurb sources of footnotes for primary documentation. Unlike "Money and it's Uses", this edition is lavishly illustrated with photographs of places of importance, as well as examples of the sorts of goods traded, making it worth the going price for the illustrations alone.

A must read for those wishing to understand the topic of trade in Medieval Europe.

Jenn

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Sounds...umm...interesting.

Actually it does, now to get hold of it and find time to read after the kids go to bed.