John Le Chapman

John owned a burgage plot and was granted a Thame market charter in 1316. His surname is derived from the Old English ‘ceapmann’, meaning ‘bargaining man’. This was associated with itinerant tradesmen who travelled from town to town to buy and sell goods. He also visited local villages and farms to serve those who could not get to Thame market.

The goods, which he stored in his burgage plot, would have included farm implements (hoes and scythes, tack and horseshoes), household items (pots, goblets, boxes, baskets and candles), and also fabric for clothing, but not foodstuffs apart from spices or salt.