Download Medieval Renaissance people and jobs

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Important people of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
Abu Bakr
Bakr was the closest friend and companion of Muhammad and the first Muslim caliph. He was one of
the first men to convert to Islam, and was chosen by the Prophet as his companion on the hijrah to
Medina.
Alaric
Born to a noble Visigothic family, Alaric served as commander of Gothic troops in the Roman army until
shortly after the death of emperor Theodosius in 395. Then, as chief or "king" of the Visigothic peoples,
Alaric took up arms against the Romans on the premise that his tribe had not been paid the subsidies
they had been promised. The rest of his days would be spent negotiating with emperors for his people's
livelihoods or attacking Roman strongholds or territories when negotiations fell through.
In 410, during his third attack on Italy, Alaric led the Visigoths in a sack of the city of Rome. This event is
sometimes considered the beginning of the Middle Ages.
Albrecht Dürer
Generally regarded as the greatest artist of the Northern European Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer (or
Durer) was a painter, printmaker, and author of theoretical treatises on art. He was influenced by both
Gothic art and art of the recent Italian Renaissance, and his own prolific work had a significant influence
on artists of his age. Dürer's work The Four Books on Human Proportions was published shortly after his
death.
Alfred the Great
Resisting the Danes and uniting the various English kingdoms under one rule. A promoter of learning as
well as a skillful military leader and administrator, Alfred is the only English king to be labeled "the
Great.
Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri, known simply as "Dante," is often considered the finest poet of the Middle Ages and is
best known for his epic La divina commedia ("The Divine Comedy"). He was also a philosopher and
political thinker. He wrote most of his poetry in the Italian vernacular instead of Latin, a choice that
would influence the entire course of western literary development.
Amerigo Vespucci
Raised and educated in Florence, Amerigo (also Americus) Vespucci was a merchant and navigator who
sailed to the new world on two (perhaps even three) occasions, sailing for Spain and for Portugal. He
made his most significant scientific contribution to the Age of Discovery when, through astronomical
observations off the coast of South America, he confirmed that the lands Columbus had encountered
were not Asia but were in fact an entirely separate continent. The letters Vespucci wrote describing his
travels were published and widely distributed in Europe.
Vespucci owes the use of his name for two continents to the German clergyman and scholar Martin
Waldseemüller, who had read of Amerigo's travels and chose to call the new lands "America" in his
honor when printing a wood-block map.
Anne Boleyn
Henry VIII married Anne in 1533, but their first child was a daughter, Elizabeth. Anne suffered a
miscarriage in 1534 and delivered a stillborn son in January of 1536. Never popular with the people, and
testing Henry's patience with her failure to produce a male heir, Anne behaved arrogantly and grew
hated at court. The king tired of her quickly, and in May of 1536, he charged her with adultery and sent
her to the Tower of London. Though unanimously convicted by a court of peers, Anne was very likely
innocent of all charges. Nevertheless, Anne Boleyn was beheaded on May 19, 1536.
Thomas Aquinas
The foremost medieval Scholasticist, Thomas Aquinas created a synthesis of the general western
philosophies of his time -- drawing his own conclusions from the premises of others -- and attempted to
reconcile this with Christian belief. The result was Thomism, which strongly characterized medieval
Christian philosophy and education. Thomism was adopted by the Domenican order (to which Aquinas
belonged) in the 13th century and was recommended by Pope Leo XIII as a model for Catholic thought in
1879. Aquinas (so named from the town where he was born: Aquino, Italy) also wrote beautiful liturgical
hymns. He studied in Naples and Paris and worked on his most well-known treatise, the Summa
Theologiae, until shortly before his death.
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor was one of the most powerful women of High Medieval Europe. As Countess of Poitou, Queen
of France and later Queen of England, she influenced politics, sponsored the Courtly Love movement,
and even went on Crusade.
Catherine of Aragon
Catherine refused to give her husband, Henry VIII, a divorce, a stand that played an important role in
Henry's break with the Catholic Church.
Saint Francis of Assisi
The son of a prosperous businessman, Saint Francis gave up all his worldly goods and set out to preach
repentance. He founded the Franciscan Order of friars and set forth the simple Franciscan Rule: "To
follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps." He also founded the Order of
Poor Clares for women with Saint Clare. He exhorted his followers to embrace a life of poverty and to
help others. His example was highly influential in thirteenth-century Church reform.
Possibly no other figure in Catholic history is venerated as is Saint Francis. Along with Saint Catherine of
Siena, he is one of the patron saints of Italy. He is also known for his love of nature and all God's
creatures and is the patron saint of animals and the environment.
Attila the Hun
The Huns were an aggressive, dangerous, conquering tribe who swept westward through Asia, terrifying
Germanic tribes and pressing them on to Rome. Their activities were fundamental to the dynamics of
the Barbarians and the empire in the fourth and fifth centuries.
Attila was the leader of the Huns in the fifth century and played a significant role in the history of the
late Roman Empire. Known as "the Scourge of God," Attila inherited a huge conquered territory, along
with his brother Bleda. Together they subdued Barbarian tribes and negotiated tribute from the Eastern
Roman Empire. In 443 Attila is believed to have murdered his brother before leading the Huns to further
conquests in Eastern Rome and Gaul. He was on the verge of yet another attack on the Byzantines when
he died in his sleep on his wedding night.
Saladin (Salah Ad-din Yusuf Ibn Ayyub)
Salah Ad-din Yusuf Ibn Ayyub (westernized to "Saladin"), also known as Al-malik An-nasir Salah Ad-din
Yusuf I, was sultan of Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Yemen, founded the Ayyubid dynasty, and captured
Jerusalem from the Christians. He was the most famous Muslim hero and a consummate military
tactician.
Thomas À Becket
Also known as Thomas of London and, more simply, as Thomas Becket, Thomas À Becket was chancellor
of England from 1155 to 1162, at which time he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry
II. Becket and Henry had long been friends, and Henry thought that he would be able to influence a man
who owed him his position of power. However, Becket surprised Henry by becoming extraordinarily
pious and taking his responsibilities as a son of the Church quite seriously. King and archbishop had a
long and heated quarrel that ended when four knights, taking to heart some careless words roared by
Henry in the heat of anger, murdered Thomas À Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
Saint Benedict of Nursia
Saint Benedict founded monasteries and rules for monastic living, thus becoming the "father of western
monasticism."
Donatello di Betto Bardi
Donatello had a superb command of sculpture. One of the foremost sculptors of the Italian Renaissance,
Donatello was a master of both marble and bronze, and had an extensive knowledge of ancient
sculpture. Donatello also developed his own style of relief known as schiacciato ("flattened out"). This
technique involved extremely shallow carving and utilized light and shadow to create the full pictorial
scene.
Paracelsus (Theophrastus Bombastus)
He is noted for making significant strides in the field of medicine, establishing chemistry as a significant
tool for physicians, writing dozens of scientific works, and making groundbreaking advances in
understanding and treating wounds and diseases.
Giotto di Bondone
Architect, sculptor, and painter, Giotto is considered the first artistic genius of the Italian Renaissance
and has been called its "father." Although he was not as technically adept as the great masters, his
ability to capture human emotion inspired later artists and marked a significant change in the artistic
style of the age. His teacher is believed to have been Cimabue.
Sandro Botticelli
One of the finest painters of the Italian Renaissance, Botticelli produced works of extraordinary harmony
and beauty. His "Birth of Venus" is among the most famous paintings in history, and for many
epitomizes Renaissance art.
Sandro Botticelli was particularly fond of religious subjects and did several of saints and quite a few of
the Madonna. He also enjoyed literary topics, and painted a series based on Dante's Divine Comedy. He
was frequently sponsored by the Medici family, including Lorenzo the Magnificent. He also worked on
the Sistine chapel, where he painted, among other works, the Temptation of Christ.
Later in his career, Botticelli experienced a crisis of religion when Savonarola took over Florence,
preaching reform in his fire-and-brimstone speeches. His work then took on an even more deeply
religious character.
William Wallace "Braveheart"
One of Scotland's greatest heroes, Sir William Wallace led the Scottish resistance forces at the beginning
of Scotland's long struggle to free itself from English rule. He was ultimately captured by the English and
was executed by being hanged, drawn and quartered.
Saint Brigit
Being one of the patron saints of Ireland, Brigit is believed to have founded Ireland's first nunnery.
Robert the Bruce
King Robert I of Scotland (also Robert de Bruce and de Brus) freed his land from English rule, suppressed
rebellion, and became one of the greatest heroes in his country's history.
Filippo Brunelleschi
A pioneer of Italian Renaissance architecture and a talented sculptor, Brunelleschi is also credited with
the rediscovery of the principles of linear perspective, which he demonstrated in an experiment
involving a mirror and a painting of a street scene. His Duomo of the Florence Cathedral and the Pazzi
Chapel are among his significant works.
Michelangelo Buonarotti
One of the finest sculptors of all time, Michelangelo is perhaps best known for his painting of the Sistine
Chapel ceiling. He also designed several significant buildings, and wrote poetry that was not as stunning
as his other creations. He is the first known sculptor to leave some of his works deliberately unfinished.
John Calvin
John Calvin (in French, Jean Calvin or Jean Cauvin) was the leading Protestant reformer in France. He set
forth his interpretation of Christianity into his work,Institutio Christianae religionis, which had an
enormous impact on future Protestant thought. His philosophy and the social system he devised for
Geneva would influence Protestant society elsewhere in Europe and in North America.
Charlemagne
King of the Franks, King of the Lombards; also generally considered the first Holy Roman Emperor
Charlemagne was for consolidating a large portion of Europe under his rule, promoting learning, and
instituting innovative administrative concepts.
Charles Martel
Martel (the name means "hammer") succeeded in reuniting the Frankish realm, eventually acquiring
Aquitaine and Burgundy. He supported the missionary efforts of Saint Boniface and others like him in
the hopes of consolidating his military victories. In 732 he achieved one of the most significant victories
in early Europe at the Battle of Tours, which stemmed the tide of Muslim advancement from Spain into
Frankish territory.
Geoffrey Chaucer
Writer of The Canterbury Tales, among other notable Middle English poems.
Christine de Pizan
Christine de Pizan is known for being the first woman in western literature known to make a living from
her writing. Widowed, she supported her three children and her mother, and championed women in her
works.
Clovis
The founder of the Merovingian dynasty of Frankish kings, Clovis defeated the last Roman ruler in Gaul
and conquered various Germanic peoples in what is today France. His conversion to Catholicism (instead
of the Arian form of Christianity practiced by many Germanic peoples) would prove a landmark
development for the Frankish nation.
Christopher Columbus
Columbus discoverede America when he was seeking a westward route to India. Columbus was also a
remarkable navigator and gutsy sailor, navigating by the stars to sail across the uncharted sea as no
other was known to have done.
Anna Comnena
Writer of the Alexiad, a biography of her father, that also offers important information about the
Eastern Roman Empire and the First Crusade. Her writings make her the first woman historian.
Constantine the Great
Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to profess Christianity. Constantine's support of the religion
would help transform it into the institution it would remain through the Middle Ages.
Nicolau Copernicus
Nicolau Copernicus (sometimes spelled Nicolaus, Nicolas, Nicholas, Nikalaus or Nikolas; in Polish, Mikolaj
Kopernik, Niclas Kopernik or Nicolaus Koppernigk) has been called "the founder of modern astronomy."
Although not the first scientist to propose that the Earth revolved around the sun, his bold return to the
theory (first proposed by Aristarchus of Samos in the 3rd-century B.C.) had significant and far-reaching
effects in the evolution of scientific thought.
Vlad Dracula (The Impaler)
Vlad the Impaler was known for his fierce defense of Walachia against the Turks and his horrific
brutality. Bram Stoker used the name "Dracula" for his fictional vampire count, but the historical Dracula
was never known for any form of vampirism, though he did shed quite a lot of blood in his day.
Edward, the Black Prince of England
Better known during his lifetime as Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, Prince d'Aquitaine, Duke of
Cornwall, or Earl of Chester, the eldest son and heir apparent of King Edward III was a renowned military
commander during the Hundred Years' War.
King Edward III of England
Laying claim to the French throne, thus setting off the Hundred Years' War. Edward was fond of Chivalry
and created Britain's highest knightly order, the Order of the Garter.
King Egbert of Wessex
He succeeded in helping to make Wessex such a powerful kingdom that England was eventually unified
around it. Because he was accepted as king in Essex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex and for a time also
managed to conquer Mercia, he has been called "the first king of all England."
Queen Elizabeth I of England
Also known as Gloriana, Good Queen Bess and The Virgin Queen, Elizabeth was shrewd, bold and
irrepressible. Her birth to the indomitable King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, was a
disappointment, for both sought a son; but their daughter Elizabeth would prove to be a fine monarch,
arguably the best of the Tudor line. Elizabeth's long reign was so remarkable that it is often marked as a
distinct period of English history: Elizabethan England, or the Elizabethan Age. This era saw the height of
the English Renaissance of Letters and is sometimes (though not always!) considered the end of the
Middle Ages in Britain.
Erik the Red
Erik Thorvaldson (also spelled Eric or Eirik Torvaldsson; in Norwegian, Eirik Raude). As the son of
Thorvald, he was known as Erik Thorvaldson until he was dubbed "the Red" for his red hair.
Erik the Red was noted for founding the first European settlement on Greenland.
Leif Ericsson
Leif Ericsson was noted for making a historic journey to North America around the year 1000. Leif also
governed Greenland and was a devout convert to Christianity.
Genghis Khan
Rising from obscure origins, Genghis (also Chingis) Khan united the tribes of Mongolia under one rule,
then he began a series of conquests that took his armies to China in the east and to the Adriatic in the
west. He built an impressive empire that his grandson Kublai took to even greater heights, but he is
most well known as a ruthless destroyer.
Pope Clement VII (Giulio de' Medici)
Failing to recognize and deal with the significant changes of the Reformation. Indecisive and in over his
head, Clement's inability to stand strong against the powers of France and the Holy Roman Empire made
an unstable situation worse. He was the pope whose refusal to give England's king Henry VIII a divorce
touched off the English Reformation.
Harold Godwinson (King Harold II of England)
The son of the powerful Anglo-Saxon Earl Godwin of Wessex, Harold Godwinson (also Godwineson) was
a strong political and military leader in his own right. The Godwins were in frequent opposition to the
francophile king, Edward the Confessor, whom Harold served as chief minister for more than 12 years.
Edward allegedly namedWilliam of Normandy as his heir in 1051; however, on his deathbed, the old king
evidently chose Harold to succeed him. Godwinson wasted no time in getting the Witenagemot to
confirm his kingship and took the throne the day after Edward's death. He was to be the last AngloSaxon king of England. He was killed at the battle of Hastings.
Holy Roman Emperor Henry II
Henry is also known as Saint Henry (Sankt Heinrich in German). Though never a particularly saintly man,
he was canonized in 1146 due to some legends that circulated after his death. He was, however, a pious
individual and founded a bishopric in Bamberg. Henry is the only emperor of the so-called Holy Roman
Empire to be made a saint.
Henry V of England
Energetic and dynamic, Henry is perhaps best remembered for his victory at Agincourt, a chapter in his
life immortalized in Shakespeare's play. His marriage to Catherine of Valois, daughter of the King of
France, was designed to bring peace to the two nations that had been at war for more than 80 years;
the couple's firstborn son was named as heir to the throne of France. Unfortunately, Henry V died while
his son, Henry VI, was merely an infant, and the power struggle over control of the French throne led to
renewed hostilities in the Hundred Years' War.
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII set off the English Reformation in his all-consuming pursuit of a male heir. He had six wives,
two of whom he had executed. Henry also wrote poetry and composed music, and was considered an
excellent sportsman until ill health slowed him down.
Hypatia of Alexandria
Recognized as the leader of Neoplatonist school of philosophy in Alexandria, Hypatia studied astronomy
and wrote mathematical and scientific commentaries. She was brutally murdered by Christian monks,
possibly at the command of a jealous bishop.
Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldun developed one of the earliest nonreligious philosophies of history. He is generally
considered the greatest Arab historian as well as the father of sociology and the science of history.
Irene of Athens
Being the first woman to rule the Byzantine empire, which she did after having her own son blinded to
make him unfit to rule. Irene is also known for her support of Icons in the Eastern Orthodox Church, for
which she was made a saint.
Joan of Arc
Also known as Jeanne d'Arc, Joan the Maid, the Maid of Orléans and the Maid of Lorraine, Joan was a
simple peasant girl who claimed to hear the voices of saints telling her she must help the Dauphin gain
the throne of France. This she did, though whether it was through her leadership or through her use by
others as a pawn is still debated.
Not long after the Dauphin was crowned King Charles VII, she was captured by the Burgundians, turned
over to the English, and tried and burned as a heretic. Her martyrdom did much to unite and invigorate
the French, who turned the tide of the war and at last drove the English out of France 20 years later.
King John of England
John had a reputation as a bad king. He was forced to accept the Magna Carta and lost most of England's
possessions in France.
Pope Julius II
Though he was enormously successful in keeping Italy together politically and militarily, Julius is perhaps
best known as a patron of the arts. He is particularly remembered for his patronage of Raphael, who
painted his private rooms at the Vatican, and Michelangelo, who completed the Ceiling of the Sistine
Chapel barely a year before the pope's death.
Johann Müller Regiomontanus
Re-translating ancient mathematical texts and writing the first book to explore plane and spherical
trigonometry. He thoroughly mastered Hellenistic and medieval mathematics. Regiomontanus also
established one of the earliest printing presses.
Justinian I
Ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) from 527 to 565, Justinian was dynamic and ambitious,
and shared many policy-making decisions with his extraordinary wife, Theodora. Together they sought
to reclaim much of the western empire, reform Roman law, and rebuild Constantinople. Most of the
hard-won territorial conquests were lost soon after Justinian's death, but some of the architecture
(particularly the Hagia Sophia) still stands, and Justinian's law codes would be extremely influential to
the legal system of medieval Europe.
Kublai Khan
randson of the infamous Genghis Khan, Kublai was also a man of military skill. However, he is better
known for his administrative capabilities, and the Mongols called him Setsen Khan (The Wise Khan). He
conquered China and established the Mongol dynasty, unifying the nation for the first time since the
T'ang regime. Though a nomadic warrior, he became an emperor in the Chinese tradition and earned
the respect of the Chinese as well as the Mongols.
Leonardo da Vinci
The original Renaissance Man, Leonardo had a passionate interest in learning and exploring new
concepts in art and science. His Mona Lisa and Last Supper are among the most influential and
significant works in Renaissance art, and his scientific notebooks and inventions were years ahead of his
time.
Lorenzo de Medici
The ruler of Florence in the late fifteenth century, "Lorenzo the Magnificent" is perhaps best known as a
patron of the arts, though he was also a respected poet in his own right.
Martin Luther
Luther is one of the most significant figures in Christian history. His questioning of Catholic Church
practices precipitated the Protestant Reformation, which resulted in a permanent break with Roman
Catholicism and established Protestantism as one of the three major theological segments of Christianity
(the third being Eastern Orthodoxy).
Niccolo Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli (sometimes spelled Nicolo Machiaveli) was the earliest great political theorist,
whose work is still controversial today. In addition to writing The Prince (the actual meaning and intent
of which is still debated) and historical tracts, Machiavelli wrote humorous plays and poetry. He was also
a statesman who worked for Cesare Borgia and the Medici, and served as an ambassador and military
advisor.
Marco Polo
Renowned traveler Marco Polo was from a family of Venetian merchants. Born in Venetian Dalmatia
(now part of Croatia), at age 17 he joined his father Niccolò and his uncle Maffeo for an extraordinary
journey to Asia where he encountered Kublai Khan. Polo chronicled his travels in Il milione ("The
Million"), also known as Travels of Marco Polo. Although its veracity has been questioned from its
earliest publication, Il milione offers valuable insight into Polo and his times.
Otto the Great
Otto I, also known as Otto the Great and Duke Otto II of Saxony, son of Henry the Fowler, was the first
Holy Roman Emperor since Charlemagne. He consolidated the German Reich and made significant
advances for secular influence in papal politics. His reign is generally considered to be the true beginning
of the Holy Roman Empire.
Raphael Sanzio
One of the most important and talented artists of the Italian Renaissance, Raphael (or Raffaello Sanzio,
or Rafael Sanzi or Santi) was born in Urbino and took his earliest lessons in art from his father. He was
apprenticed to Perugino in Perugia, then moved on to Florence and Rome. Raphael is noted for his
Madonnas, and is considered by many to have produced some of the world's most beautiful paintings.
He was also an architect, designing the church of Sant' Eligio degli Orefici and working on the basilica of
St. Peter's. Raphael was as handsome and charming as he was talented, and he became so popular that
he acquired the nickname "the prince of painters." He gained the respect and patronage of Pope Julius
II and spent the last 12 years of his life in Rome. Among his prolific works were projects for the pontiff,
including a cycle of frescoes for a suite in the pope's personal living quarters.
Raphael lived life to the full, but died young, on his 37th birthday. His funeral mass was celebrated at the
Vatican and he was buried in the Pantheon.
Richard I of England
Richard the Lionheart was known for his courage and prowess on the battlefield, and his notable
displays of chivalry and courtesy to his fellow knights and enemies.
William Shakespeare
The most celebrated playwright in the English language, Shakespeare flourished during the Renaissance
of Letters that occurred in England at the very end of the Middle Ages and began to inspire other writers
during his own lifetime.
Theodora
Theodora had tremendous influence on her husband, Justinian, and on Byzantine politics and law. She is
arguably the most powerful woman in Byzantine history.
William the Conqueror
Also known as William of Normandy and William the Bastard, King William I of England was the
illegitimate son of Duke Robert of Normandy, France. Though his blood claim to the throne of England
was slim, he set his sights on the land once governed by his cousin, Edward the Confessor, and claimed
the old king had named him his heir. In October of 1066, William the Conqueror successfully invaded
England and defeated Harold Godwinson to win the crown.
Renaissance Faire
Jobs and Occupations
Governmental Occupations
These are the people who run things. They keep society moving smoothly, if they're good at what they
do, and can bring society to a crunching halt, if they're not. Rife for corruption, government officials can
play a significant role in many campaigns.
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bailiff - the man who makes arrests and executions. Bailiff was not primarily
used for the office of policeman. Etymologically, bailiffs were those in charge of
the bailey - in effect, manager of the craftsmen and servants in a castle or
manor house.
catchpole - literally 'chicken catcher', one who finds and brings in debtors.
chancellor - a secretary to a noble or royal
constable - the warden of a town or castle
exchequer - the man responsible for the king's revenue
herald - had two responsibilities: a man in charge of making pronouncements
and proclamations, and one who is an expert in the field of heraldry (the various
insignias used by the rich to identify themselves.) These two responsibilities
were one in the same. Medieval Europeans wouldn't have thought it possible to
separate them; much less would they have considered them separate roles.
jailer - the man responsible for a jail: he keeps the criminals from getting out
judge - a man who is responsible for deciding questions brought to court
king - ruler of a kingdom
knight
lady
nobleman
prince
reeve - church warden. Note that the word 'reeve' applies to much more than
the Church. Reeves usually came out to be combination administrators and
business managers of estates, towns and small territories (i.e. shires) something like a chief bailiff.
sherrif
summoner - officer of the court who serves subpoenas (see also religious
version)
watchman
woodward - the keeper of a forest
Military Occupations
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Arbalestier - one who fires an arbalest (a type of metal crossbow)
archer - one who shoots arrows
bowman
cannoneer
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crossbowman
drummer
engineer
guardsman
pioneer - an early term for military engineer
sapper - specialist in field fortifications
scout
siege engineer
sergeant
sergeant-at-arms
Criminal Occupations
Wherever there is society, there are criminals. These occupations include only the so-called
"professional criminal": it ignores those people who are corrupt at every level of society who has a legal
"front", from kings to beggars.
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fence - one who trades in stolen goods
pickpocket - one who picks pockets
poacher - one who illegally kills animals, usually on somebody else's land
silk-snatcher - one who steals bonnets
thimblerigger - a professional sharper who runs a thimblerig (a game in which a
pea is ostensibly hidden under a thimble and players guess which thimble it is
under)
Religious Occupations
If Government officials run the affairs of earthly beings, then those occupied with religious pursuits
mediate between earth and the gods.
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abbess - superior of a convent
abbot - superior of a monastery
almoner - a distributer of money and food to the poor
archbishop
beadle - church official -- ushers preserves order at sermons
beguine - member of certain Netherland lay sisterhoods
bishop
canon - a prebend attached to a cathedral (the definition is somewhat wider,
but that's the most common usage)
cantor - a choir leader in churches, the man who sings hymns and leads the
congregation in prayer in a synagogue
cardinal
chantry priest - a priest employed to say prayers for the dead; often taught on
the side (thus so-called chantry schools)
chaplain
clerk - a priest
curate - priest in charge of a church
friar - a wandering monk, especially a Franciscan
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metropolitan - a bishop in charge of other bishops; an archbishop
monk
nun
ostiary - a church's doorkeeper
palmer - a pilgrim who's been to the Holy Land
pardoner - seller of indulgences
parish priest
pilgrim pope
priest
primate - head of the Church in a country or region (i.e. the Archbishop of
Canterbury was Primate of England)
sacristan - a person in charge of the relics and religious items of a church
sexton - minor church officer - rings bells, digs graves
summoner - officer who brings people to episcopal courts (see also government
version)
Merchants
In a society based on trade - either with hard currency or barter, there are always those who spend their
lives in the pursuit of selling things to others.
Note that most craftsmen also sell the results of their labor, farmers typically must sell their crops
themselves, people in service trades often must hawk their own wares. This section does not include
them. It includes only those people who spend their entire lives devoted to selling things, and nothing
more.
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acater - a provisioner (food)
alewife - a female alehouse keeper
apothecary - a preparer and merchant for drugs and medicines
banker
boothman - one who sells grains
chapman - travelling merchant
collier - one who makes or sells charcoal (later coal) [can also fit under
craftsmen]
colporteur - seller of religious books
costermonger - fruit seller
drover - one who drives sheep or cattle to market
eggler - an egg-merchant
fishmonger
fruiterer - a seller of fresh fruit
fruitier - fruitseller
fueller - one who sells charcoal, wood, or other fuels
glass seller
greengrocer - seller of vegetables and fruits
grocer
harberdasher - seller of men's clothing
hay merchant
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hetheleder - one who sells heather as fuel
innkeeper
ironmonger - one who sells things made of iron
lighterman - one who ferries goods from ship to shore on a small boat
linen-draper - one who deals in linens, calicos, etc.
mercer - a dealer in expensive clothing (silk, etc.)
merchant
milkmaid - a female servant who milks cows
oil merchant
peddler
pie seller
plumer - a dealer in feathers
poulter - seller of poultry
skinner - a dealer in furs and skins (essentially, the same thing as a furrier)
spice merchant
spicer - grocer or dealer in spices
stationer - seller of books, etc.; also, a copyist
taverner - innkeeper
thresher - one who thrashes grain, separating it from straw
waferer - confectioner (a dealer in 'wafers', a kind of cake)
waterseller
windowmaker – a maker of windows and stained glass
wine seller
wood seller
woodmonger - a seller of fuel wood
wool stapler - one who buys and sells wool wholesale
Artists/Entertainers
In any society, there is the need for spare time. And what did people do before television? Well, they
mostly sang songs, told stories, and danced. From this, some professional entertainers developed.
Also included in this section are artists: those who devote their lives to creating works of beauty and
expressiveness.
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bard - a Welsh minstrel
barker - one who advertises at the entrance to a show
bear-ward - the owner of a performing bear
fiddler - this is an unfair translation, "geiger" is applied to any player of bowed
and stringed instruments
fool
fresco painter
glasspainter
harper
illuminator
jester
limner - illuminator of books
lutenist - a lute player
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minnesinger - a German minstrel who specialized in love songs
mummer - actor, specifically the predecessors to mimes
musician
organist
painter - portraits and landscapes
piper
player
playwright
poet
sculptor
singer
troubadour - most properly a minstrel from the southern part of France (though
it can be used of any minstrel who specializes in romances).
tumbler
writer
Farming and Workers with Flora and Fauna
Ah -- the farmers. Without them, we'd starve. There's a large number of occupations associated with
farming: you need people to watch the animals, work the fields. In fact, probably most people in a
medieval society were farmers.
Also included are hunters and gatherers: those who travel into nature and grab things to eat, as well as
all those who work with animals.
There's also a good overview of horse history in Europe.
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ackerman(acreman) - an oxherder
falconer - breeds, trains, hunts with falcons
farmer
fewterer - one who keeps the hunting dogs [put it in whatever category you put
falconers and hawkers]
fisherman
forester - game warden or forest ranger
fowler - one who hunts for wildfowl
gamekeeper
goatherd - one who looks after a herd of goats
hawker - breeds, trains, hunts with hawks
hayward - a tender of hedges
horse trainer
hunter
huntsman
master of hounds
molecatcher
ostler - cares for horses
oyster raker - worker on an oyster fishing boat
oysterer - one who catches oysters
parker - caretaker of a park
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plowman
rat catcher
reaper
sheepshearer
shepherd - one who looks after a herd of sheep
swineherd - one who looks after a herd of swine (sometimes pigherd)
thresher
tillerman
trapper
woolcomber
woolman - sorts wool into differing grades
Scholars
They may have called it the dark ages for lack of scientific output, but there were still people interested
in the world around them, willing to poke and prod it until something broke.
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alchemist - a medieval chemist
astrologer
astronomer
bearleader - a travelling tutor (a silly name) - related to the figurative use of the
word bear to describe a boor.
dean
librarian
mathematician
philosopher
professor
scholar
scrivener - scribe
tutor
theologian - a scholar specializing in the study of God and doctorine
Sailors
The lure of the sea, the crash of the waves: a boat-filled life was the norm for a great many medieval
people. Some sailed on rivers, some on the ocean. Exciting and dangerous trade missions with far-off
empires, exploring strange new places, and always coming back home to tell exciting stories in the local
tavern.
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bargeman
boatman
canaller - canal boat worker
ferryman
hobbler - boat tower on a river or canal
lighter man - worker on a flat-bottomed boat
mariner
navigator
pilot
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sailor
sea captain
ship's captain
shipchandler - ship provisioner
waterman - riverboat sailor
Regular Folks
One of the problems with coming up with a list of Medieval Occupations is that lots of people in a feudal
economy didn't have occupations at all. They were just tenants of other folks. Also, there are in any
society, a large number of homeless and impoverished.
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begger
crofter - tenant of a small piece of land
franklin - a freeholder
gardner
landlord
palmer - one who had been, or pretended to have been, to the Holy Land
peasant
pilgrim
tenter - an unskilled workman's assistant
Craftsmen
Game worlds typically have armorers and blacksmiths, but then it breaks down, and everything else is
available from the marketplace or the "general store".
Common Craftsmen
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shoemaker - one who makes and repairs shoes
furrier - one who makes and repairs goods made of furs - esp. clothes
tailor - one who makes and repairs clothing
jeweler - maker of jewelry
pastrycook - baker specializing in pastries
mason - bricklayer
carpenter - one who constructs things from wood
weaver - weaver of cloth
chandler - one who makes candles, also grocer. Often associated with ships (see
shipchandler)
cooper - one who makes and repairs barrels and tubs
baker - one who makes bread and other baked goods
scabbard maker - maker of scabbards
hatmaker - maker of hats
saddler - maker of saddles
purse maker - maker of purses
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meat butcher - butcher of all sorts of meats, esp beef
buckle maker - maker of buckles
blacksmith - one who works with iron to form metal implements: esp farm
tools.
locksmith - one who makes and repairs locks
ropemaker - maker of rope
tanner - preparer of leather
rugmaker - maker of rugs
harness maker - maker of harnesses
cutler - one who makes and repairs cutlery
glover - a glovemaker
Less common craftsmen - sorted alphabetically
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accoutrement maker - makes military accessories
alabasterer - worker in alabaster
architect - a designer of buildings and other constructions
arkwright - a maker of "arks" -- wooden chests or coffers
armorer
balancemaker
basketmaker
beekeeper - also known as apiarist
bellfounder
bellmaker - these are the little bells that go on sleighs and clothing, as opposed
to the large civic bells cast by the bellfounder
besom maker - one who makes brooms (known as besoms in the middle ages:
'broom' was the name of the plant use to make them)
billier - axe-maker
blockcutter - for block printing
bodger - itinerant wood turners (read more)
bonecarver
bookbinder
bookprinter
bottelier - maker of leather bottles
bowyer - maker of bows
brazier - makes brassware
brewer
bricker - brick baker, not mason
bricker - brick-maker
bricklayer
broderer - embroiderer
bronzefounder
brushbinder
builder
buttonmaker
cabinetmaker
campaner - maker of large bells (church-bells, for example)
canvasser - canvas-maker
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carder - one who cards wool (combs out wool in preparation for spinning it)
cardmaker
chainmaker
charcoalburner
cheesemaker
clockmaker
clothier
cobbler - shoe maker
coiner
combmaker
compasssmith
confectioner
coppersmith, redsmith - a worker in copper and brass
cordwainer - worker in fine leather
corsetier - maker of corsets and other undergarments
currier - one who cures leather
delver - ditchdigger
diamantaire - diamond-cutter (actually, diamond-cutting wasn't discovered
until after the Middle Ages, but once it was diamantaires usually had their own
guilds)
disher - a potter who makes dishes
draper - Originally, drapers were clothiers, though today the British use the
word for a dry goods merchant.
drycooper
dyer - one who dyes cloth
embroiderer - one who decorates fabric with stitched designs
engraver - for printing, not to decorate items
fabricshearer - trims the nap and makes pleats for customers
feltmaker
fewtrer - felt-maker
fletcher - maker of arrows
founder - foundryman
fuller - cloth worker who shrinks, beats, presses cloth
fuller - someone who cleans and thickens cloth by beating it
furniture maker
gemcutter
gilder - one who gilds (applies gold leaf to something)
girdler - leather worker who made girdles and belts, chiefly for the Army
girdler - belt-maker
glassblower - one who makes glass objects by blowing
glazier - maker of stained glass
goldbeater - one who makes gold foil
goldsmith - a worker in precious metals. In the Middle Ages, all people who
worked in precious metals were called goldsmiths; the term silversmith is a
much later word.
gravedigger
grinder - knife sharpener
gunsmith
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gunstocker
hacker - hoe-maker
hatter - one who makes and repairs hats
horner - craftsman who works in horn -- spoons, combs, musical instruments
ivorist - an ivory-carver
joiner - skilled carpenter
knacker - harness-maker
knapper - a worker in flint
knifesmith
lacemaker
lampwright - maker of lamps and lanterns
lancier - a maker of lances
lanternmaker
lapidary - worker with precious stones -- usu. other than diamonds
latoner - worker in brass and latten (a brass-like alloy)
leadworker
lensgrinder
limner - someone who illuminates manuscripts
linen-armorer - one who makes cloth armor [same as a merchant taylor]
linener - a shirt maker [also, a linen-draper]
linenspinner
lorimer - maker of horse gear
lutemaker
luthier - a maker of stringed instruments (lutes, guitars, etc.)
mailer - enameller -- not a maker of armor
mailmaker
malemaker - a maker of leather trunks
mapmaker - also known as cartographer
marler - one who digs 'marl', a type of soil used as fertilizer.
marleywoman - a maker of marli, a type of fabric (gauze used for embroidery).
Note that embroidery on this material is also known as marli.
master builder - chief architect
merchant taylor - tailors and "linen armourers"; they made the padded tunics
soldiers would wear under metal armor
milliner - maker of womens' hats and clothing
miner
miniaturist - painter of miniatures (small paintings usually found on icons or in
books)
minter, mintmaster, moneyer - one who mints coins
nailmaker
nedeller - maker of needles
netmaker
oilmaker
papermaker
parchmenter
parchmenter - a parchment-maker
pasteler - a pastry-maker
pattenmaker
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perukier - a wig-maker [I don't know if the word was used in the Middle Ages;
the oldest use of the word peruke I can find is 1548]
pewterer
physician
pinmaker
plasterer
plattner - beat out sheets of metal
plumber - worker in lead
pointer - lace-maker
poleturner - maker of polearms (spears, pikes, halberds, etc.)
pot mender
potter
printer
purser - a purse-maker
quarryman
quilter - a quilt-maker
rectifier - one who distilled alcohol
reedmaker - a maker of flutes and other wind instruments
roper - maker of ropes, nets
rugweaver - one who makes rugs
sailmaker
saltboiler - makes salt by boiling water
salter - makes or deals in salt
sawyer - saws timbers to boards
scythesmith
seamstress
shingler - wooden roof tiler
shipwright - a ship builder
siever - a maker of sieves (a picture)
silkmaid, silkwoman - a woman who makes items out of silk.
silk-dresser, silk-maker, silk-mercer, silk-dyer, silk-carder - various individuals
making silk articles.
silversmith
smelter - refines raw ore into pure metals
smith - blacksmith
spectaclesmaker
spooner - a spoon-maker
spurrer - maker of spurs
stonecarver
stonecutter
swordsmith
tallowchandler
tapestrymaker
tapicer - tapestry maker
tasseler - one who makes tassels
thacker, thatcher - one who covers roofs with thatch
threadmaker
tile-burner - one who forms clay into tiles and bricks
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tiler, tile-theeker, tyler - one who roofs with tile
tile maker - tile-maker
tinsmith
treen maker - one who makes various small wood items
turner - lathe worker (makes turned wooden objects, like chair legs)
typefounder
upholder - an upholsterer
vintner - a winemaker
waxchandler
webber - weaver
wheeler - maker of spinning wheels
wheelwright - a maker of wheels
wiredrawer - maker of gold and silver wire
woodcarver
woodcutter
woodturner
Service Occupations
There are many important positions in society for those who do not produce, but serve their fellow man.
When they're done their job for the day, there are no new products, no changes in physical objects, but
people are moved, jobs get done, and society keeps moving.
Common Service Occupations
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maidservant
barber - one who cuts hair, also performed surgery and pulled teeth.
restaurateur - one who owns or runs a restaurant
laundress - also known as lavendar
porter - one who carries burdens, or one who waits at doors. Probably the
former
doctor
bather - owner of a bath
copyist - one who copies books and documents -- not all of them can read
Less common service occupations - sorted alphabetically
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accomptant - an accountant
accoucheur - midwife
accoucheus - midwife
accountant - man who does financial bookkeeping
actuary - man who does financial bookkeeping, clerk
bailiff - the man who makes arrests and executions. Bailiff was not primarily
used for the office of policeman. Etymologically, bailiffs were those in charge of
the bailey - in effect, manager of the craftsmen and servants in a castle or
manor house.
barrister - solicitor or lawyer
butler - one in charge of the buttery (where alcohol was kept)
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carman - one who drives a vehicle for transporting goods
carter - one who drives carts
carver - the servant who cut the meat
ceiler - one who installs ceilings
cellarer - one in charge of the wine cellar
chamberlain - a private attendant who waits on his lord in his bedchamber
chimney sweep - one who cleans chimneys and smokestacks.
chirurgeon - surgeon
clouter - one who fixes things, a tinkerer
cook - one who cooks, especially food.
cowherd - one who looks after a herd of cows. A medieval cowboy, as it were.
dairymaid
dapifer - a servant who brings the meat to the table
dentist
dog trainer
drayman - cart driver
dung carter
executioner
famulus - "a servant or attendant, esp. of a scholar or a magician" (Random
House Dictionary of the English Language)
farrier - maker of tack, esp. horeshoes; also a horse-veteranarian
groom - one who takes care of the horses
horseleech - veterinarian, farrier
hurdle maker - made 'wattle fences' for sheep
lawyer - a master of the law.
link boy - boy who will carry a torch to guide people through the night
link man - like a link boy, only older
maid - a female household servant. A maid is always female; the word literally
means virgin.
marshal - a horse tender
midwife - humorously known as a babycatcher
miller - the person who turns grains into flour.
napier - the person who manages royal linens
nurse
panter - keeper of the pantry
paperer - needlemaking industry -- inserted needles into paper to prepare for
selling
pavior - one who lays pavement
pavyler - put up pavilions/tents
potboy - cleans out chamber pots
procurator - or proctor, this is a kind of legal agent or representative
quartermaster
raker - street sanitation worker
riveter - one who rivets (a rivet being a nail designed to secure metal to metal)
scullion - the bottom-rung servant in a household
seneschal - senior steward
solicitor - lawyer
sperviter - a keeper of sparrow-hawks
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surgeon
tapster - one who draws ale, etc. at an inn; innkeeper/bartender/barmaid
teamster - one who drives a team of oxen or horses
wagoner - wagon or cart driver
waller - one who builds walls
Other ideas for the Faire:
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Plague victims
Trial by Ordeal demonstrations
Actors for Shakespeare
Knights in combat training
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Who's Who in Medieval History and the Renaissance
Interesting Individuals from the Middle Ages
By Melissa Snell, About.com Guide
http://historymedren.about.com/cs/people/a/aboutwho.htm
Medieval Occupations
http://www.svincent.com/MagicJar/Economics/MedievalOccupations.html.