Medieval Occupations

By Halie Schouten(and Steven Smith)

Fletcher- Watchman

Fletcher

Made bows and the flights of arrows. The flights are known as fletchings, which is where the name ‘Fletcher’ is derived from.

GardenerGardeners are caretakers to our vegetation and plants. In medieval times they were particularly important because they maintained the castle walls from becoming overgrown, and therefore ascendable. Gardeners were also the ones who dug the moats and defense ditches surrounding a castle.

Herald

A herald, also known as a harker, but more commonly referred to in movies as a town crier, was assistant a knights assistant. Though his main job was to proclaim announcements on the kings behalf to the public.

Herbalist

Herbalist belonged to some sort of religious group as a monk or friar. They were the monasteries’ gardeners, but they were very familiar with medicine plants, roots, and vegetables.

PorterA porter, or janitor, was entrusted with looking after the main entrance to the castle and the guardrooms. No one got in or out of the castle without his consent.

Jester

The jester is the character always portrayed wearing a outrageous costume and juggling. In reality that is what he did. His job was to entertain the king and his court. He was more commonly known as the ‘fool’ back then.

Keeper of the Wardrobe

There was one room in the castle dedicated to the dressing of the royal family. The keeper of the Wardrobe was in charge of the seamstresses, tailors, and laundress.

KnightA knight's primary job was to serve the king through protection. He also had to follow the Code of Chivalry. A knight used a great variety of weapons.

Marshal

The marshal was the officer in charge of things pertaining to transportation. Such as the household horses, wagons, carts, containers, and the delivering of goods.

Messenger

Messengers were representatives for the king carrying letters, news, and receipts. Because the messenger often bore bad or unfavorable news, the anger of the recipient was most often taken out on the messengers. This is where the phrase “don’t kill the messenger” is derived from. Eventually a law was made where it was illegal to harm these private ‘mail men’.

Minstrel

A minstrel, like the jester would have provided entertainment to the castle. However apposed to being humorous, he would sing or play musical instruments.

Moneylender

Moneylenders were just what their name sounds like, the people who lent out money. They were basically bankers.

Page

A page would, starting at age 7, assist the squire. He would wait tables, be accountable for the Lords’ clothes and dressing him. The pages lived a life of servant hood, and they even had to wear uniforms.

Painter

The painters were in charge with the up keeping and the painting of the castles’ appearance. The estates were often very colorful, so the painters were kept busy.

Physician

Doctors were looked upon with respect by the people of medieval times. In truth, however they knew barely nothing about the human body; only about its appearance. They believed that illnesses were punishments from god or the result of planets moving, instead of germs. Even with their corrupt facts they could lance wounds and tend to small bleeds. Surgeries were attempted, but often resulted in death or infection.

PotterPotters were craftsmen that worked with clay, ceramics, and porcelain. They created pots for storage and cooking, and sometimes they would make sculptures.

Reeve

The reeve was basically the head supervisor on a lord’s property. They were in charge of overseeing that the workers jobs were carried through, and that they checked in and left on time.

ScribeScribes were educated in reading, writing, and basic schooling. Which were skills that most all people in medieval times were not given the opportunity to acquire.

Scullion

Scullions were had the lowest status on a kitchen status. Their job was to clean the dishes and kitchen.

Sheriff

The sheriff enforced the laws in counties. We still have these law officials today.

Shoemaker

A shoemaker did just what its title implies, they crafted shoes. They were also called cobblers or cordwainers.

Spinster

During the medieval era spinsters were woman who spun yarn. And the spinning wheel was actually invented in this period. Though, later in time a spinster became known as a single woman.

Steward

Steward, also known as a seneschal, was an official in charge of arrangements and the administration of servants in a household of medieval nobility.

Squire

The squire is what an aspiring knight was referred to. He would learn the etiquette of the court, the Code of Chivalry, horsemanship, the rules of Heraldry, music, dancing, and how to use weapons. Once reached the age of 21 they would become knights.

Watchman

Watchman was like the castles guard. He made sure everything was secure; especially at night.