Pilgrim Shoulder Bag after Wagner

Brown Leather Pilgrim Shoulder Bag after Wagner, 14th-15th Century

Historical Context and Practical Application

Shoulder bags, often referred to as pilgrim pouches or scrips, were an absolutely common part of a person's gear in the 14th and 15th centuries. They were carried not only by poor pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela but also by travelling merchants, townsfolk, and mercenaries. The cut of this specific bag is based on the drawings and reconstructions of Eduard Wagner, a prominent Czech historian and author of legendary publications on costumes and weapons of the Hussite era. Thanks to its wider bottom, it is surprisingly spacious. You can easily hide not only historical coins and a flint and steel kit inside, but also today's modern necessities like a mobile phone, keys, and documents, which must not be seen at a historical event.

The bag is equipped with a robust strap made of natural cowhide, which is worn across the chest or simply over the shoulder. The flap is subtly decorated along its edge with a pressed line and is fastened by slipping it over a solid bronze button, which is firmly attached to the front part of the bag. This mechanism is fast, quiet, and very reliable.

Technical Parameters of the Bag

Leather Care and Safety Warnings

Leather is a natural material that, with proper care, rewards you with a long lifespan and a beautiful patina. To maintain its flexibility, we recommend regularly treating both the bag and the strap with a high-quality leather balm containing beeswax. If you get caught in a downpour on your journey and the bag gets wet, always let it dry slowly at room temperature. Never dry the leather near an open fire, on a stove, or in direct hot sunlight, as there is a risk of it irreversibly hardening and cracking.

When using the bag, make sure not to place sharp objects inside without a protective cover. For example, knives, daggers, or awls without a sheath could easily cut through the fine deer leather and ruin the entire product. Also, keep in mind that slight variations in colour and surface texture are natural characteristics of genuine leather, making each piece a true original.

Recommended Accessories

To go with this beautiful pilgrim bag, we highly recommend acquiring a historical linen or woollen cloak and sturdy leather footwear from our range, which will bring your historical costume to absolute perfection.