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ou've been an apprentice
pig farker for how long now? Pick yourself a new job
and carry around a few implements of the trade.
Hans Sachs, writing verse in 1568, selected a list of All the
Trades on the Earth. Sachs, with Jost Amman's illustrated woodcuts,
published Eygentliche Beschreibung Aller Staende auff Erden...,
an compilation of 114 craftsmen, costumes, and tools of the period.
This has been republished in english as the
Book of Trades (amazon),
or Book of Trades (bn).
Apothecary,
Armorer,
Astronomer,
Bagger,
Baker,
Balance-maker,
Barber,
Basin-beater,
Bather (owner of a bath),
Beer-brewer,
Bellfounder (large church bells),
Bellmaker (small bells for sleighs and clothing),
Belter (belt maker),
Blockcutter (for block printing),
Bookbinder,
Bookprinter,
Bowyer (bow maker),
Bricker (brick baker not mason),
Bronze-founder,
Brush-binder,
Buffoon,
Butcher,
Carpenter,
Clockmaker,
Combmaker,
Compass-smith,
Cook,
Cooper (barrel maker),
Coppersmith,
Dentist,
Doctor,
Drummer,
Dyer,
Embroiderer,
Engraver (for printing not to decorate items),
Fabric-shearer (trims nap and makes pleats),
Falconer,
Farmer,
Fiddler (this is an unfair translation Geiger is applied to any player of bowed and stringed instruments),
Fisher,
Fisherman,
Fool,
Fool for Money,
Furrier,
Gemcutter,
Glasspainter,
Glazier,
Gluttonous Fool,
Goldbeater,
Goldsmith,
Grinder (knife sharpener),
Gunsmith,
Gunstocker,
Harper,
Hatter,
Huntsman,
Illuminator,
Jew,
Joiner,
Kettledrummer,
Knifesmith,
Lantern-maker,
Lawyer,
Locksmith,
Lutemaker,
Lutenist,
Mail-maker,
Merchant,
Miller,
Miner,
Mintmaster (coin stamper),
Mirror Maker,
Miser,
Nailer,
Needler (needle maker),
Oilmaker,
Organist,
Painter (portraits and landscapes),
Paperer (this is an Parchmenter),
Peddler,
Physician,
Pilgrim,
Pin-maker,
Piper,
Potter,
Priest,
Prince,
Procurator (or Proctor this is a kind of legal Agent or Representative),
Redsmith (brass),
Roper,
Saddler,
Sculptor,
Scythe-smith,
Ship's Captain,
Shoemaker,
Siever (Sieve maker),
Singer,
Smith (blacksmith),
Spectacle-maker,
Spurrer (spur maker),
Stonecutter,
Tailor,
Tanner,
Tapestry Weaver,
Thimbler (thimble maker),
Thonger (maker of leather straps or laces),
Typefounder (printing type),
Vintner,
Wagoner (wagon driver),
Wagonwright (wagon maker),
Weaver,
Wheel-wright,
Wire-drawer,
Woodturner
See also: Book of Trades
by Jost Amman and Hans Sachs, with an introduction by
Benjamin A. Rifkin. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1973. (reprint of
Eygentliche Beschreibung Aller Staende auff Erden..., Frankfurt am Main:
1568).
A truly incredible list of medieval occupations is available in
Middle English Occupational Terms
by Bertil Thuresson. Nendeln/Liechtenstein: KrausReprint, 1968. (reprint of Lund: C.W.K. Gleerup, 1950. from the Lund Studies in English).
This beauty made the circuit of the College of Arms a few years
ago, and might be available through a good Herald. I can't begin to list the
240 pages worth of material available there.
[Contributed by Gwynyth]
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