Allerley
- Available
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Delivery time: 2 - 3 working days* (US - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 2 - 3 working days* (US - int. shipments may differ)
Allerley – a world of fragrance, craftsmanship and history
“Allerley” – that is what people in the Middle Ages called a colourful collection of diverse items, a smorgasbord of the extraordinary. At Vehi Mercatus, this category rightly bears its name: here, over 100 items come together to bring the medieval and Nordic way of life to life. From all-natural incense blends and incense sticks to handmade jewellery and accessories, right through to decorative treasures for the home – the Allerley range is the go-to destination for medieval enthusiasts, LARP fans, nature lovers and anyone who appreciates esotericism and craftsmanship. Affordable everyday items from around €10 sit alongside selected collector’s items up to €168, ensuring there is something to suit every budget and every occasion.
What is the story behind “Allerley”?
The Middle High German word ‘allerley’ simply means ‘all sorts’ – that is, diverse, mixed, and curious items. In medieval markets and general stores, the ‘Allerley table’ was the place where the unexpected beckoned: a small bottle of herbal oil here, a carved knob there. It is precisely this spirit that the category at Vehi Mercatus captures.
The range is divided into several sub-sections: incense herbs and incense, wooden wall decorations, notebooks and diaries, soap & natural cosmetics, mead & wine, as well as medieval books and magazines. Anyone who delves into this category will find not only products, but little stories – embedded in mythology, natural history and traditional craftsmanship.
Incense & incense blends – scents for rituals and everyday life
At the heart of the Allerley range are the 19 incense blends from Druidcraft – a manufacturer specialising in herbal and incense products. Each blend follows its own thematic concept: the elements, Norse and ancient Egyptian gods, and spiritual realms give the products their distinctive character. Prices range from around €10 to €15, making the blends attractive as an introduction or a gift.
Elements range
The four Element blends evoke classic qualities: grounding (Terra with myrrh & sandalwood), fire and energy (Ignis with benzoin & dragon’s blood), dreams and soul healing (Aqua with copal & juniper berries), and lightness and clarity (Aeris with olibanum & dammar).
Gods series
Named after Norse, Celtic and ancient Oriental deities – from Tyr (house cleansing & rituals) to Eir (healing negative energies) and on to Hathor and Istar (sensual, beguiling scents). Cernunnos combines masculine, spicy notes of benzoin and patchouli.
Meditation range
Four meditation blends for yoga and inner reflection, complemented by Aequilibrium (balance, lavender blossom & rose) and Oraculum adire (connection with the otherworld, sandalwood & cedar). Ideal for regular meditation practice.
An overview of the ingredients: How do the incense ingredients work?
The quality of an incense blend stands or falls on its ingredients. Druidcraft blends rely exclusively on natural and vegan raw materials – no synthetic fragrances, no fillers. We use classic resins, woods and herbs from the long tradition of incense burning.
| Incense | Character | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Olibanum (frankincense) | Clarifying · Meditative | Meditation, rituals, church traditions |
| Sandalwood | Calming · Grounding | Yoga, relaxation, preparing for sleep |
| Myrrh | Purifying · Healing | Energy cleansing, protection rituals |
| Copal | Dream-inducing · Opening | Dream work, shamanic practice |
| Benzoin | Energising · Fiery | Activation, strengthening, rituals |
| Musk | Sensual · Warm | Relaxation, sensual scents |
| Palo Santo | Purifying · Light | Home cleansing, inner peace |
For use, a soapstone incense burner (from approx. €18) is recommended, as it distributes the heat evenly and allows for a slow, controlled smouldering – ideal for incense blends as opposed to simple incense sticks. A small tea light beneath the burner is sufficient; the blends are placed on the warm stone dish, where they gently evaporate rather than burn.
More than just fragrance: accessories, jewellery and décor in the Allerley range
In addition to incense, the Allerley range offers a selection of decorative items and accessories that bring a medieval flair to the home. Brass bangles – one of the oldest forms of jewellery – sit alongside miniature helmets as table decorations, suitable for the desk, the shelf or as a gift for medieval enthusiasts. Leather goods made from vegetable-tanned leather round off the range with their craftsmanship.
Behind these products are trusted brands: Battle Merchant and Leonardo Carbone are renowned in the medieval and re-enactment sectors for quality and historical accuracy, whilst Berk is known for fantasy-inspired decorative pieces. In addition, the subcategories feature handcrafted wooden wall decorations, atmospheric notebooks and diaries in leather bindings, as well as natural soap and natural cosmetics – all products that blend everyday life with history.
Something for every budget: price ranges in the Allerley range
Incense blends from the Druidcraft collection, starting at around €10, are the ideal introduction: small, handy and perfect as a gift. The Terra or Aeris elemental blends are also recommended for your first incense corner at home – affordable, natural and easy to use.
Soapstone incense burners (approx. €18), brass bangles and selected leather goods fall into this category. Here you’ll find solid craftsmanship for everyday use – durable, stylish and suitable as gifts for both the curious and the connoisseur.
Selected decorative and collectable items, including miniature helmets and high-quality leatherwork, are aimed at enthusiasts seeking a special piece. These items combine craftsmanship with historical significance and are designed as a main gift or a special personal purchase.
Incense burning – a tradition dating back thousands of years
Egypt, Greece, Rome
In ancient times, incense was closely linked to religion and medicine. In ancient Egypt, frankincense and myrrh were burned on altars – Hathor, the goddess of beauty and joy, was worshipped with offerings of frankincense. In Greece and Rome, incense offerings accompanied every important ritual, and doctors used incense to purify sickrooms.
The Middle Ages: the Church, folk magic and medicine
In the Christian Church, incense (olibanum) became a symbol of prayer, intended to rise up to God. At the same time, an older tradition of incense burning lived on in folk magic and herbal medicine: herbalists and monastic medicine used sage, juniper and resins for cleansing the home, for protection against illness and for seasonal rituals.
Tyr, Cernunnos, Idun & Eir
In Norse and Celtic cultures, incense smoke had a direct connection to the spirit world. The Norse god of war Tyr and the goddess of healing Eir are just as much the inspiration for Druidcraft blends as the goddess of renewal Idun or the Celtic forest god Cernunnos. This mythology is not a marketing ploy, but reflects the actual areas of influence of the respective blends.
Meditation, wellness and mindful living
Incense is experiencing a renaissance: in yoga studios, meditation practices and conscious living environments, natural incense blends are in demand as never before. The combination of tradition, mythology and the modern need for well-being makes incense one of the fastest-growing segments in the natural cosmetics and wellness market.
Discover the diversity of the Allerley range at Vehi Mercatus – from all-natural incense blends for rituals and relaxation to charming medieval decorative items and accessories. Browse through the subcategories and find your next favourite product, combining history, nature and craftsmanship in one.
Frequently asked questions
Incense blends consist of a combination of resins, woods and herbs that together release a characteristic scent and produce a specific effect. To use, place a small amount of the blend on a pre-warmed incense burner – ideally made of soapstone – which is heated by a tea light. The blends evaporate gently without burning, resulting in a purer and longer-lasting fragrance experience. Incense sticks, on the other hand, burn and often contain binders; natural incense blends such as those from Druidcraft are free from additives.
The Druidcraft blends are thematically very versatile: the Element series (Terra, Ignis, Aqua, Aeris) is suitable for general room cleansing and daily meditation, whilst the Meditation series (I–IV) is specifically designed for yoga and deep relaxation. The God blends, such as Tyr (house cleansing) or Eir (healing), are recommended for rituals and special occasions. All blends also work simply as natural room fragrances without any spiritual context.
Yes, all Druidcraft incense blends consist exclusively of natural, plant-based ingredients – resins, herbs, flowers and woods. No synthetic fragrances, colourings or binders are used. The products are vegan and therefore also meet the quality standards of customers who consciously choose natural materials.
Single resins such as pure olibanum (frankincense) or myrrh are unmixed raw materials with a defined scent profile and are often used in traditional church incense burning or by experienced practitioners. Ready-made incense blends such as those from Druidcraft combine several ingredients to create a balanced scent experience with a specific intended effect. Blends are more suitable for beginners, as they are ready to use and offer a more complex fragrance profile.
Incense blends starting at around €10 make ideal gifts thanks to their compact size and attractive value for money. For a more atmospheric gift, a blend can be combined with a soapstone incense burner – creating a complete incense corner as a starter set. For collectors and medieval enthusiasts, miniature helmets or brass arm rings make for decorative, one-of-a-kind pieces.