Untitled Document

Wanted
Boy

Job
Removing the hair from the pelt of dead animals
Treating skins

Qualifications
Strong stomach
(don’t worry - you’ll get used to the awful smell after a while)
Physical strength
Ability to work with corrosive substances

Career Progression
You’ll have to start at the bottom, as an apprentice
Housing, clothing and food included.

The fellmonger

When I discovered my ancestor James Angliss was a fellmonger, I had no idea what this meant. This is possibly because there are currently only four fellmongers operating today in the UK. In the 19th century there were fellmongers in every town and city.

A fellmonger was a dealer in skins and hides, particularly sheepskins. The name derives from the Old English ‘fell’ meaning skins and ‘monger’ meaning dealer. Fellmongers prepared skins and hides for the tanner by removing the hair and wool. Accounts of fellmongery suggest it was a pretty unsavoury job that had to be done quickly to prevent the hides from decomposing before the next stage of the leather making process could begin.

For an interesting account of the trade of a fellmonger, albeit from a 17th century perspective, take a look at Developing a Living History Character by Eric Dorrington of the Sealed Knot.

The c urrier

James Angliss was also employed in other parts of the leather making process as a leather dyer and currier.

Curriers were involved in curing or currying of leather. Currying is the process of stretching and finishing tanned leather in order to make it suitably supple and strong for crafting. S Drummond’s article ‘The Art and Mysterie of the Currier’ can be read on the website of the Worshipful Company of Curriers and provides a useful introduction to the work of the currier.

Useful links

British Book Index

This site gives names and biographies of those involved in the book trade (including leather workers of all kinds) who were trading by 1851. I found James Angliss Senior and all his apprentices on this site together with their trades.

History of Leather Making

An account of the history of leather making from earliest times from the Leather Technology Centre

Worshipful Company of Curriers

This website tells you a little about the current work of curriers as well as giving some historical information

Developing a Living History Character

A member of the Sealed Knot explains how he researched and developed the character of a 17th century fellmonger.

Walsall Leather Museum

Lots of accessible information on the history of leather from the Walsall Leather Museum.

		Coventry connection Fellmongers and Curriers
	Wanted Boy Job Removing the hair from the pelt of dead animals Treating skins Qualifications Strong stomach (don’t worry - you’ll get used to the awful smell after a while) Physical strength Ability to work with corrosive substances Career Progression You’ll have to start at the bottom, as an apprentice Housing, clothing and food included. The fellmonger When I discovered my ancestor James Angliss was a fellmonger, I had no idea what this meant. This is possibly because there are currently only four fellmongers operating today in the UK. In the 19th century there were fellmongers in every town and city. A fellmonger was a dealer in skins and hides, particularly sheepskins. The name derives from the Old English ‘fell’ meaning skins and ‘monger’ meaning dealer. Fellmongers prepared skins and hides for the tanner by removing the hair and wool. Accounts of fellmongery suggest it was a pretty unsavoury job that had to be done quickly to prevent the hides from decomposing before the next stage of the leather making process could begin. For an interesting account of the trade of a fellmonger, albeit from a 17th century perspective, take a look at Developing a Living History Character by Eric Dorrington of the Sealed Knot. The c urrier James Angliss was also employed in other parts of the leather making process as a leather dyer and currier. Curriers were involved in curing or currying of leather. Currying is the process of stretching and finishing tanned leather in order to make it suitably supple and strong for crafting. S Drummond’s article ‘The Art and Mysterie of the Currier’ can be read on the website of the Worshipful Company of Curriers and provides a useful introduction to the work of the currier. Useful links British Book Index This site gives names and biographies of those involved in the book trade (including leather workers of all kinds) who were trading by 1851. I found James Angliss Senior and all his apprentices on this site together with their trades. History of Leather Making An account of the history of leather making from earliest times from the Leather Technology Centre Worshipful Company of Curriers This website tells you a little about the current work of curriers as well as giving some historical information Developing a Living History Character A member of the Sealed Knot explains how he researched and developed the character of a 17th century fellmonger. Walsall Leather Museum Lots of accessible information on the history of leather from the Walsall Leather Museum.