-
Apothecary:
a maker
of medicines, remedies and potions.
-
Armourer: made
weapons and armour at the castle, he was also responsible for making
sure that they were kept in good working order.
-
Almoner: gave alms or
charitable gifts to the poor, (charitable gifts usually scraps of food
from the castle).
-
Arrowsmith: someone
who made arrows.
-
Bailiff: in charge of
giving out jobs to those working at the castle, building repair, and
repair of tools used by the peasants.
-
Baker: made bread at
the castle.
-
Barber: someone who
cut hair and shaved the Lord at the castle. Also served as dentist,
surgeon and blood-letter.
-
Bard: a singer of
songs and teller of tales.
-
Blacksmith:
forged
and sharpened tools, made hinges for doors, and window grills. Also
called the Smith.
-
Brewer: someone who
brewed beer and ale.
-
Butler: cared for the
cellar and was in charge of the butts (a large barrel holding 56
gallons/448 pints) of wine and beer. Under him a staff of people might
consist of tapsters, cellarers, dispensers and cupbearers.
-
Carpenter: built
flooring, roofing, furniture, panelling for rooms, scaffolding for
building.
-
Carters: workmen who
used carts to bring wood, stone and other supplies to the site of a
castle under construction.
-
Chamberlain:
responsible for the great chamber of the castle.
-
Chandler:
The candle
maker.
-
Chaplain: provided
spiritual welfare of those at the castle. The duties might also include
clerk, and keeping accounts. He also tended to the chapel.
-
Clerk: a person who
checked material costs, and kept financial accounts.
-
Constable: was
responsible for the running of the castle in the absence of the owner.
-
Cook: prepared and
cooked food for everyone at the castle.
-
Cottar: the lowest of
the peasantry, as a result they did the lowest jobs.
-
Ewerer: brought and
heated water for the nobles.
-
Falconer: responsible
for the care and training of hawks for the sport of falconry.
-
Fletcher: a person
who stuck flights onto arrows.
-
Gong Scourer: a
guarderobe emptier and cleaner.
-
Groom: some one who
tended horses.
-
Herald:
an expert
advisor on heraldry.
-
Knight:
a
professional soldier, usually of high birth. Knighthood was achieved
only after long and arduous training which began around the age of 7.
-
Lady: a female of
high birth.
-
Lady's Maid: a Lady's
personal servant.
-
Lord:
the man in
overall charge of the castle and its lands.
-
Marshal: officer in
charge of a household's horses, carts, wagons, and containers. His staff
included farriers, grooms, carters, smiths and clerks. He also oversaw
the transporting of goods.
-
Master Mason:
responsible for the designing and overseeing the building of a stone
structure.
-
Messenger: servants
of the lord who carried important letters, and commodities.
-
Minstrel: provided
entertainment in the form of singing and playing musical instruments.
-
Page:
a young boy
from the age of 7, training to be a knight.
-
Plumber:
someone who
worked lead for roofing and windows.
-
Porter:
took care of
the doors, particularly the main entrance. The person also insured that
no one entered or left the castle without permission. Also known as the
door-ward.
-
Reeve:
supervised the
work on lord's property.
-
Scribe:
someone who
could write and was employed to take notes and copy documents.
-
Scullion: responsible
for washing and cleaning in the kitchen.
-
Seamstress: woman who
made clothing or did sewing.
-
Steward:
took care of
the estate and domestic administration. Also known as a Seneschal.
-
Squire: a boy at the
age of 14 who was training as a knight. He would be assigned to a knight
to carry and care for the weapons and horse.
-
Wagoner: someone who
operated or drove a wagon.
-
Washerwoman or Laundress:
was in charge of washing clothes and table cloths at the castle.
-
Watchmen:
an official
at the castle responsible for security.