Commerce and Trade

Travel, Trade and Industry of Medieval England during the reign of the Angevins and the beginning of the Reign of the Plantagenets.

Travel
So, in medieval England, people did travel about the countryside. Even the poorest of the poorest peasants did travel about, going to market or to local faires. Plus, the richest or the more pious would journey on pilgrimage. Longer pilgrimages are also common, from Durham to the shrine of Saint Thomas at Canterbury, or even overseas. Places like Rome, Spain, and Jerusalem were not uncommon.

Powerful merchants would range further afield than Rome or Jerusalem. Many merchants would travel to buy and sell their goods, and a craftsman may find it profitable to take a sample to a noble's court. The nobility themselves travel a great deal and the higher nobility would go from one estate to another, living off each of them in turn. For instance, during 1192, Prince John was incredibly fond of Nottinghamshire and had a hunting lodge in Sherwood Forest; and he would travel there often. Also, the bishop of a certain diocese is supposed to visit all of the parishes in his diocese, checking up on monasteries and the churches to make sure they ran smoothly and the clergy were still up to Roman Catholic standards. Likewise, the royal Justices or justiciars would travel from place to place, in order to hold court in different towns. And when these courts are held, many residents around are required to attend, making more journeys necessary.

Travel is not safe, however. Robbers and bandits are common in the Forests, and it is normal for travelers to travel in groups for self defense. The roads are guarded when a fair is in progress, and not always then.

Commerce
The Monetary system is not based on pieces of metal, such as gold, silver, or iron. It's based on the English Penny, which is denoted as d. for denarius or denar. There are 12 pennies or 12 d. to the shilling or s., and then 20 shillings (20s) or 240 d. to the English pound or £. A fourth type of currency is the mark or m, and it's worth 2/3rds of an English pound, or 13 s. and 4d. To summarize on the table below:

Conversion of Pathfinder/Dungeons and Dragons Currency to Olde English Currency.

Price List
A price list below shows common goods for sale.