The Pedlar of Swaffham

Yesterday we visited Swaffham. There were plenty of op shops there, but little else to capture our attention. Maybe we’re getting blasé.
Stephen Fry was making some film or tv item there. He was standing in front of a pub in the main square that had a false name over the top of its real name, and was contemplating life, since nothing else seemed to be happening. Several very bright lights were shining on him, but the crew were sitting to one side chewing the cud. We walked past him, went to a bookshop, browsed around for a time and walked back again. He was still in the same position, and nothing else appeared to have happened.
The main church in Swaffham had a little old lady offering us information about the place. She was very helpful, and we learned things from her we wouldn’t have by just wandering around. Carvings of figures on the pew ends - a newish set and the old original set - were of the Pedlar, about whom there’s a charming story.
When he was struggling to survive, he had a vivid dream about London Bridge and all the shops there, so, when he awoke he set off to seek his fortune. On arriving, after a long journey, he met up with a shopkeeper who scoffed at his dream, but told him that he’d also had a dream: of a pedlar in Swaffham who dug up treasure from underneath an oak tree in his back garden. The pedlar said nothing, but turned back towards home. When he got to his garden he dug down and found a pot full of gold coins. On the pot were Latin words which he couldn’t read, so he asked someone what they meant. They told him: Underneath me lies a treasure richer than I. He dug again, and found even more gold.
The pedlar, whose name is generally considered to be John Chapman, shared his fortune with others, and contributed to the building of Swaffham church. He’s acknowledged still in the town by a statue in the square and by being seen on the town’s signage.
One other interesting thing about the church. There was a large tapestry over one of the small altars. Paua shell was used in part of it - a very small part of it. In the brochure about it, the word is curiously spelt: Pahwah!