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(Excerpted article from Learning Through History, Volume 1, Issue 2, Medieval Times, "The Medieval Job Market")

Medieval World of Work Unit Study

The varieties of jobs available in the Middle Ages were not as plentiful as they are today. The job you trained for and eventually held was determined by your place in the “feudal system”. In the feudal system, the king awarded land grants or "fiefs" to the important nobles, also called “lords”. In return, these nobles supplied the king's army with soldiers that would protect both the king and his lands. At the bottom of the feudal system were the peasants, also called "serfs". The peasants farmed and worked on the land of the nobles, or served in the manor in exchange for a place to live, food and protection.

PAY AND BENEFITS

If you worked in medieval times, you wouldn’t have gotten a paycheck from your employer every month. Nor would you have had medical, dental, vision, or retirement benefits. Instead, you likely would have bartered for the goods and services you needed. Bartering became popular in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. Although coins were available and in use, it wasn’t until the 12th century that a monetary system like the one we have now became widespread.

RISE OF THE MERCHANTS

A new class of people also emerged during this period - the merchants. As villages began to grow outside the castle walls, these early businessmen recognized that they could make a nice profit as the brokers between sellers and buyers of goods. Very soon, these traveling merchants began to put down permanent roots. Although many merchants were still on the road, others decided it would be less work if customers started coming to them instead.

Often, the name of a trade became associated with the merchant himself. Modern surnames like Butler, Carpenter, Carter, Cook, Miller, Shoemaker, and Weaver actually came from these early occupations. There were also plenty of strange job titles that are no longer in use. Some of these were: Almoners (who ensured the poor received alms), Atilliators (who made crossbows), Cottars (swineherds) and Reeves (who pre-dated modern supervisors).

NOBLE WORK

What if you had been born to nobility? Ironically, your career moves would have been more restricted than you might think. Why? Because the order of your birth would have dictated your family’s expectations. The first-born son, for instance, would inherit the noble title and all of the family property. This practice was called “primogeniture”.

His future of knighthood relied on many others to help him with his job. In addition to the blacksmiths, grooms, and farriers who looked after his horse, a knight would also have a page, a squire, and a herald to assist him. Pages and squires were actually young knights-in-training themselves. This enabled each full-fledged knight to pass along his wisdom and skill to the next generation. The herald was a knight’s assistant who could advise him on whether an approaching rider was friend or foe by the kind of banner or crest displayed.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY

Even if you were sick, you were still expected to work hard. There were no vacation days, either. The eight-hour workday was also unheard of. From a new day’s first light until the fall of darkness, there were just too many things to get done. Workers only relaxation came on Sunday when they attended church services and gave thanks for being able to put bread on the table in whatever way they could.

(Excerpted article from Learning Through History, Volume 1, Issue 2, Medieval Times, "The Medieval Job Market")

In this mini unit study, you can: read more about life in the Middle Ages, learn about the many types of medieval jobs available, see what life was like for four different medieval people - a knight, a merchant, a nun and a peasant, write "help wanted" ads for a variety of positions, and create some medieval inspired crafts - stained glass and a leather pouch.

Reading

What was it really like to live (and work) in the Middle Ages. Take this tour and find out:

Life in the Middle Ages

Learn the details on dozens of medieval jobs:

Medieval job descriptions

Living and working as a knight, a merchant, a nun and a peasant:

Choose your medieval guide

Writing Projects

After you've learned all about medieval jobs, it's time to put your knowledge into action. Choose five medieval occupations and write a "help wanted ad" for each, just like the kind you see in the daily newspaper. They can be short ads or long ones, but make sure you include: what skills the person should have, what the job's task are, what character qualities you are looking for (example: hard-working, honest, etc.) and where/how to apply in person (since there were no phones or computers back then!).

Craft Projects

Make a stained glass window look-a-like: 

Stained glass

Make a leather pouch

Leather pouch

Recommended Resource

Archers, Alchemists, and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed

Book Description:

If you could go back in time to the Middle Ages, what do you think you would be? A bold knight? A Princess? A Cardinal? In reality, most people did jobs we can barely imagine today. Barbers cut off beards...and sickly limbs; illuminators painstakingly decorated books with gold and silver for their rich lords; gong farmers cleaned out latrines and sorted through the excrement for dropped treasure, like pennies or buttons!

This fascinating and original guide presents 100 careers, described with historical accuracy and the author's renowned wit. Sidebars expound on intriguing elements of medieval life, including the Bayeux Tapestry, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, medieval cosmetics, and torture techniques! This book is richly detailed with humorous illustrations that invite exploration and discovery.

Book (Paperback)
Authors: Priscilla Galloway, Martha Newbigging

Amazon Price: $10.17

Read more about the book on Amazon