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Social Design - Medieval & Ancient Occupations

Acrobat

Actor

Apothecarist (formal medicine)

Architect

Armorer (armor-only smith)

Artist

Astrologer

Baker

Barrister / Lawyer

Bookbinder

Bowyer / Bower / Fletcher

Brewer

Bricklayer

Candlemaker / Chandler

Carpenter

Cartographer

Clothier

Cook

Diplomat

Dyer

Engineer

Engraver

Farmer

Fisherman

Forester

Fortune-Teller

Furrier (deals in pelts)

Gardener

Glassblower

Grain Merchant

Gravedigger

Herald / Harker

Herbalist

Hunter

Innkeeper

Interpreter

Jester

Jeweler

Leatherworker

Locksmith

Messenger

Mason

Miner

Minstrel

Moneylender

Navigator / Pilot

Painter

Peddler

Physician

Playwright

Politician

Potter

Rat Catcher

Sailor

Scribe

Servant

Shipwright

Shoemaker / Cobbler

Spy

Stonecarver

Storyteller

Weaver

Medieval Castle Occupations

Porter - Took care of doors (janitor), particularly the main entrance; responsible for guardrooms; also insured that no one entered or left the castle without permission; also called a "door ward."

Reeve - Supervised work onthe lord's property; checked that everyone began and ended work on the lord's property on time; insured nothing was stolen; senior officer of a borough.

Sapper - An unskilled person who dug a mine or approach tunnel.

Scullions - Maids responsible for washing and cleaning the kitchen.

Shearman - A person who trimmed cloth during manufacture.

Shoemaker - Made shoes; also called "cobbler" or "cordwainers."

Spinster - A woman who earned a living spinning yarn; later expanded to include any unmarried woman.

Steward - Took care of the estate and domestic administration; supervised the household and events in the great hall; also called "seneschal."

Squire - Attainted at age 14, while training to be a knight; assigned to a knight to carry and care for weapons and his horse.

Watchmen - An official at the castle responsible for security; assisted by look-outs (the garrison).

Weaver - Someone who cleaned and compacted cloth, in association with the walker and fuller.

Woodworkers - Tradesmen called board-hewers who worked in the forest, producing joists and beams.