The medieval story is one of power, royal patronage, religion, trade and commerce. It is also one of superb craftsmanship, artisan skills, and a strong eye for style and imaginative design in the most humble of objects. For most of us, we can’t hope to own genuine medieval artefacts and works of art – the high cost, the rarity, and the fragile condition of survivors mean they are usually the domain of museums and wealthy collectors. However, we can own replica items, either faithful copies or created in the spirit of the original, that are hand crafted by today’s expert craftsmen with an empathy for the medieval past. Indeed, some of our crafts people are experienced re-enactors who recreate the past for the benefit of the public. The Medieval Merchant is run by medieval re-enactors and historic events organisers, bringing medieval style to a discerning public.

It can come as a surprise that replica medieval pottery and wood can look stunning in a modern and contemporary setting as well as in a period house. They really “shine”, especially in concert with other pieces of a similar period; for example a couple of wine cups and a pitcher or a wine jug can transform an ordinary side table or side board. The colour of the glazes, the individuality of the pieces brought out in the firing and the crafting, all contribute to each piece being unique. No homogenised mass production here!

Allied to replica pottery the Medieval Merchant offers a range of hand crafted and individual pieces for display and for personal daily use. The range encompasses pottery, wood and leather items. There isn’t a standard catalogue. Visit our shop in Leominster and enjoy the process of looking at and handling beautifully crafted items at reasonable prices.

Leominster has a rich and varied medieval history. This once important border town has featured regularly in a turbulent medieval past, been visited by Kings, seized by aggressors, and was host to the early English church and a Benedictine monastery.  It was a thriving and important international trading centre, its wool the best in the land, was traded across Europe and used to make cloth for popes, royalty and the aristocracy.  Some of the existing houses date back to the 1250s; some are hidden behind Georgian facades but there is still an array of medieval architecture to be seen in a street plan not massively changed from the high medieval period. Leominster is a town of independent retailers, in their own small way embodying the character of their medieval forbears. Not flash, not big businesses but friendly and offering individual service. Well worth a visit.