Question

who were called
pedlars

Answer 1

Peddlers have been known since antiquity and possibly earlier. They were known by a variety of names throughout the ages, including Arabber, hawker, costermonger (English), chapman (medieval English), huckster, itinerant vendor or street vendor.

Answer 2

pedlars were those who carries chapbooks ,sold for a penny , so that even the poor can read it