History of The Pedlar

In 1548 John Chapman, a so-called pedlar or chapman, is recorded in church records as having financed the building of the north aisle of the Parish Church, complete with stained glass windows, roof and marble floor, as well as contributing towards a steeple and various other items.

The medieval Chapman pew still remains although somewhat altered in the church today. So much is true.

John Chapman acquired his wealth, it is said, by following a dream and so finding pots of gold under a tree in his own garden. That, perhaps, is debateable.

The adoption of the Pedlar as the town sign and Town Council seal/logo was the result of a national newspaper competition in the 1920s but it was renewed in 1936 by local craftsman Harry Carter, cousin of Howard Carter, the Egyptologist, whose family home Swaffham was.

The sign has been restored several times since then by local craftsmen.