> Forwarded message:
> From: Self <goihlk>
> To: glorantha-digest_at_hops.wharton.upenn.edu
> Subject: Travelling Smiths?
> Reply-to: goihlk_at_fub46.zedat.fu-berlin.de
> Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 21:04:30
> I don't believe in travelling smiths. Why would a metal worker travel? How
> would a metal worker carry all that equipment and hundreds of pounds of metal
> around? How would that make economic sense? In a wagon? Great, now he has to
> take time dealing with some expensive animals to pull a wagon that also
> takes extra time to keep in useable condition. Added to that he doesn't have a
> place to grow his own vegetables like nearly every pre-industrial age person
> has always done. A wagon drawn by two oxen can carry only 1000 to 1200 pounds
> at two miles per hour for five hours a day. The oxen consume 100 pounds of
> food per day, and are unpredictable and dangerous. Why would a smith put
> himself thru this hassle? Metal workers don't have to look for work, they are
> sought after. I have been interested in smithing for more than twenty years
> and have made a few things with my anvil and forge, including some sword
> blades. At the moment the only RW travelling metalworkers I can think of are
> tinkers who just have enuf stuff to repair pots and pans. Any comments?
>
Travelling smiths were once extremely common; for a legendary
refernce, just check out the legend of Weayland/Wayland/Volund the
Smith. Most small communities could not afford to kepp a smith going
year-round, so the smiths travelled from village to village.