I have heard of people selling their own tombstones, I wondered if this were the case. I also wondered if I were being too literal about the rod and reel.

Also, wasn't the idea behind the sales that of buying what was needed to keep him safe? The guy was heading out to France (presumably to fight as a mercenary) because he was having to leave his homeland forever. This was because his life was in danger because he had been on the losing side of the national wars (if I understand the story correctly). The woman was in sorrow because it was unlikely that she would see the father of her child ever again.