Water bottles or pilgrim bottles
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Item out of stock
- Item out of stock
- Item out of stock
- Item out of stock
Canteen, pilgrim’s flask, drinking bottle – these terms refer to an object that was as much a part of a traveller’s kit in the Middle Ages as a smartphone is in a pocket today: a portable container for water, wine or beer, which accompanied travellers on long journeys on foot, on horseback or along the pilgrimage route. Whether a simple earthenware vessel in a merchant’s luggage or an ornate ceramic flask at a pilgrim’s hip – these compact containers reveal a great deal about everyday life and the culture of travel in the Middle Ages.
Canteen and pilgrim’s flask: what is the difference?
The terms are often used interchangeably today, but historically they refer to different forms and contexts. A pilgrim’s flask – also known as a ‘Gurde’ in Middle High German – is a ceramic or earthenware vessel with a flattened, rounded body, a short neck and side loops for carrying straps. The shape is characteristic: the body is flattened on one or both sides, which makes it easier to carry against the body. From the early Middle Ages onwards, it was primarily carried on pilgrimages and acquired special symbolic significance on the Way of St James. The canteen is the broader term for all portable drinking vessels – made of leather, clay or ceramic – that were used by soldiers, traders and farmers in everyday life.
- Flattened, round body made of ceramic or clay
- Short neck, side loops for carrying straps
- Typical of pilgrimages and religious journeys
- Attested from the Early Middle Ages, widespread in the High Middle Ages
- Often decorated with a scallop shell or religious motif
- Historical term: Gurde (5 letters)
- Generic term for all portable drinking vessels
- Materials: leather, clay, ceramic, and later also steel
- Used by soldiers, traders, farmers, travellers
- Various shapes: pouch, ellipse, carafe, sphere
- Belt clip or shoulder strap for attachment
- No religious context strictly necessary
History: From Roman times to the late Middle Ages
Roman laguncula
The Roman canteen, known as a laguncula, was made of clay or leather and already fitted with a shoulder strap. It was part of the standard equipment of Roman legionaries on the march and is regarded as the direct precursor of medieval canteens.
Early Middle Ages: Simple ceramic forms
In France and Scandinavia, simple, bulbous ceramic flasks emerged, which served as models for the later variety of forms. The Frankish field flask from the 10th century – as shown by the replica in the shop – is characteristic of this era: a stocky shape, hand-formed, without elaborate decoration.
High Middle Ages: The Way of St James and the pilgrim’s flask
With the flourishing of the great pilgrimages, the classic pilgrim’s flask emerged. On the way to Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims carried ceramic flasks adorned with a scallop shell – an unmistakable symbol of their journey. The pilgrim badges and scallop shell decorations became part of a distinct material culture of pilgrimage.
Late Middle Ages: Leather and Variety of Shapes
In the Late Middle Ages, leather gained prominence as a material. Embossed leather flasks in pouch, elliptical or carafe shapes offered greater impact resistance than pottery and were particularly suited for use in camp and on the battlefield. These shapes are available today as authentic replicas for Viking and Late Medieval re-enactments.
Attachment and carrying methods: on the belt or over the shoulder
Medieval canteens were carried in two basic ways: directly on a medieval belt via leather eyelets or loops, or on a long leather shoulder strap worn over one shoulder. The latter was particularly practical on longer marches, as the weight was better distributed and both hands remained free.
The belt attachment is well suited to lighter ceramic flasks and short distances – the flask is worn visibly on the body and blends in as an accessory with the overall look. For leather flasks with a 500 ml capacity, the adjustable shoulder strap is recommended, as it provides a more secure fit.
For those wishing to complete their kit for a medieval market or LARP event: the canteen combines well with a belt pouch – both hang from the belt and create a harmonious look without getting in each other’s way. For historical re-enactments, visibly carrying the canteen on the body is a detail that distinguishes beginners from more experienced re-enactors.
Shapes and eras: Which canteen suits which portrayal?
Early Middle Ages / Franks
The bulbous ceramic flask in the Frankish tradition – handmade and artistically painted. Suitable for early medieval re-enactments, Frankish or Carolingian portrayals. Simple shape without religious symbolism, ideal for merchant or peasant characters.
High Middle Ages / Pilgrims
The classic ceramic pilgrim’s flask with a scallop shell attachment – the distinguishing mark of medieval pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. With a 0.5-litre capacity, it is also practical for everyday use. Ideal for pilgrim re-enactments and religious characters of the High Middle Ages.
Late Middle Ages / Vikings
Handcrafted leather flasks with embossing in pouch, elliptical or carafe shapes – all with a 500 ml capacity. The Viking version with intricate embossing is suitable for Nordic and late medieval depictions. More robust than ceramic, shock-resistant for active use in camp.
Materials compared: ceramic, clay and leather
| Material | Suitability | Properties | Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-fired ceramics | Historical | Dimensionally stable, cooling, food-safe, fired at 1,100–1,200 °C – more fragile than leather, but highly stable in high-quality fired ware | Store in a dry place, do not knock over, dry the interior after use |
| Pottery clay / stoneware | Historical | A more cost-effective option, slightly more porous than stoneware, also food-safe with a dense glaze | Treat as you would ceramics; do not store acids inside |
| Leather (vegetable-tanned) | Historical | Flexible, impact-resistant, lightweight – historically sealed on the inside with beeswax. No alcohol if lined with beeswax! | Treat the outside regularly with leather grease, store in a cool, dry place, check for cracks |
An important note regarding the beeswax lining in leather flasks: beeswax dissolves on contact with alcohol. High-proof drinks must therefore not be poured into beeswax-sealed leather flasks – water, wine and beer, on the other hand, are fine.
The canteen as part of medieval camp life
What did people actually drink in the Middle Ages? Pure water was not always available or drinkable – instead, lightly fermented weak beer, diluted wine, mead, as well as herbal teas and fruit juices were widespread. All these drinks found their way into canteens and pilgrim flasks, which served as containers for use on the move – not as tableware.
At the table, medieval people drank from other vessels: the mazer (a wooden cup with a metal ring), the drinking horn made from ox or aurochs, the simple earthenware pot, or the turned wooden cup. The drinking horn was by no means exclusively Viking – it was widespread across Europe throughout the Early and High Middle Ages. If you want to put together a coherent set of camp tableware, combine the canteen with a matching cutlery set and a wooden plate.
The canteen is not the first purchase when starting out in the re-enactment hobby. First come the basics: a medieval shirt, a tunic or a medieval dress. Once the basic attire is in place, accessories such as canteens, medieval combs or hygiene cutlery are the next logical step – it is precisely these details that make the difference between a costume and a convincing historical portrayal.
Whether you’re recreating a 13th-century pilgrimage scene, kitting out a Viking camp with period-appropriate tableware, or simply don’t want to drink from a plastic cup at the next medieval market – in this category you’ll find the perfect canteen or pilgrim’s flask for your needs. Take a look at the individual products and feel free to call us for advice if you have any questions.
Frequently asked questions
A pilgrim’s flask (also known as a ‘Gurde’ in Middle High German) is a ceramic or earthenware vessel with a flattened, rounded body, a short neck and side loops for carrying straps. It was primarily carried on pilgrimages during the Middle Ages and is closely associated with the culture of pilgrimage on the Way of St James. It is often characterised by attached scallop shells or religious motifs as decoration.
Classic pilgrim flasks are often slightly asymmetrical or evenly flattened on both sides. The flattened body makes it easier to carry against the body by distributing the weight more evenly and preventing the flask from swaying too much. Some shapes are approximately symmetrical, whilst others – particularly older variants – display distinct asymmetries.
In the Middle Ages, lightly fermented weak beer was the most commonly consumed everyday drink, as it was safer than untreated water. Other drinks included diluted wine, mead (honey wine), herbal teas and fruit juices. Water was also drunk, but its quality was unreliable depending on the region and season. All these drinks could be found in travellers’ canteens and pilgrim flasks.
Medieval drinking vessels had different names depending on their material and shape: the mazer was a wooden cup with a decorative metal rim; the drinking horn, made from cattle horn, was widespread throughout Europe; and simple earthenware pots or turned wooden cups served as everyday tableware. Silver and pewter cups were reserved for the wealthier classes. The canteen, on the other hand, was not tableware, but a container for use on the move.
That depends on the seal. Historically, leather flasks were sealed on the inside with beeswax. Beeswax dissolves on contact with alcohol, which is why high-proof drinks are not recommended in beeswax-sealed flasks. Water, wine and beer, on the other hand, are fine. Before filling it for the first time, you should check what type of seal has been used.