In medieval times, many unique jobs, such as Ale-wife and
Groom of the Stool, were essential but have since vanished. Discover
these obsolete occupations and how historical changes led to their
disappearance.
Christopher Corèdon writes about various jobs in his book A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Some, like Chamberlain or Blacksmith, are well-known to history fans, but others disappeared after the Middle Ages.
In the Village
A woman and a hermit with ale – British Library MS Royal 10 E. IV, f.114v
Ale was a widely consumed beverage in medieval England. One drawback,
however, was that it spoiled quickly, so it had to be consumed within a
few days. This led to a loose system in many English villages where
people, usually women, made ale and sold it. This occupation was called Ale-wife, and local records suggest that nearly every adult female in a village participated.
By the end of the Middle Ages, the brewing process became more
commercialized, reducing women’s ability to participate. Another job
lost because of this change was Ale-conner, whose job was to inspect the ale.
Here are three more now-obsolete jobs that could be found in a countryside village:
Luparius: In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries,
the Kings of England offered bounties for every wolf killed. This led
many men to become wolf-catchers, using packs of dogs to track down
wolves. They were so successful that wolves became extinct in England by
the end of the fifteenth century, ending the profession.
Warrener: Rabbit farming was big business in the
Middle Ages, and many people oversaw rabbit warrens. The demand for
rabbits, either for their fur or meat, has greatly declined in modern
times.
Pinder: If an animal strayed from a farm, it was the
Pinder’s responsibility to catch it. Better fencing has greatly reduced
this problem.
In the Royal Court
As medieval kings became wealthier and more powerful, their
entourages grew significantly. Among the jobs were several that people
would see as odd and very specific. For example, the Epicière was responsible for carrying spices to his lord’s table; the Ewerer took water to guests at the table for handwashing; the Cokini were foot messengers; the Sewer was responsible for seating guests at a table; and the Focarius, a boy, ensured the hearth fire in the Great Hall was kept burning....
