English Medieval Tale
This story is a humorous and popular folktale of how a poor peddler sets out to London Bridge to find his fortune. But it is also a pilgrimage story about the seeker's quest to find joy and fulfilment in life.
The Greyhound Inn
The travelers inn is a vivid image of the places we dwell within briefly while journeying our life's path. The Greyhound Inn, was welcoming travelers and pilgrims 500 years ago in the English village of Swaffham as it does today.
Swaffham Market Cross
And the market cross in the center of the marketplace portrays the Peddler of Swaffham as a pilgrim, like you and me, as we journey our life's road.
But on the market square is the church that was also part of the itinerary of the 15th century peddler, John Chapman, the original hero of our folktale. Because he shared his gifts from the peddler's road with the whole community, he is remembered within the church walls.
John Chapman, Peddler
Inside the church are the many carved wooden angels fluttering about the peddler's statue, seemingly watching over him as he reminds us that we are all pilgrims on the road of life.
Angels aloft the village church