Costrels were portable flasks for water or stronger drink. They were usually made of leather, which was tough, reasonably light and provided an opportunity for individual, decorative statements. This one was embossed with a stylised sword motif.
Found during recent archaeological excavations on Northampton’s Market Square, it came from a layer of medieval debris, within which were many leather items including shoe fragments, as well as pottery, animal bones, and other personal objects.
Northampton was an important rapidly expanding town in the 12th and 13th century and the market was established in 1235, strategically placed next to the busy central road through the town, on the direct route from London northwards.
Trades such as cloth making, leather working, and butchery operated in the town and would have sold their goods on the market. The rubbish layer gives us a clue as to the range of goods available to visitors to Northampton throughout the medieval period, which perhaps included this fine costrel.
Number 43 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
This shoemaker's bench is evidence of the shoemaking trade before mechanisation aand factory manufacture when solitary shoemakers mostly worked in small workshops in their home.
© NMAG
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NMAG
©
NMAG
©
NMAG
©
NMAG