More Medieval Occupations A. Justice Williams Period 6

FLETCHER Fletching is the ancient art of aerodynamically stabilizing arrows from materials such as feathers. The word is related to the French word flèche, meaning "arrow," via Old French; the ultimate root is Frankish *fliukka. Fletching is the ancient art of aerodynamically stabilizing arrows from materials such as feathers. The word is related to the French word flèche, meaning "arrow," via Old French; the ultimate root is Frankish *fliukka.arrowsFrenchOld FrenchFrankisharrowsFrenchOld FrenchFrankish As a noun, fletching refers to the fins or vanes attached to an arrow, each of which fins is known as a fletch. Traditionally, the fletching consists of three matched half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow or dart's shaft that are equally spaced around its circumference. Today, modern plastics may be used instead. Fletches are traditionally attached with silk thread but simpler methods are also used, such as gluing. The fletching is used to stabilize the arrow through air resistance in flight. Some fletches act to impart a spin on the projectile, but all are there to impart a drag[citation needed] on the tail of the projectile to ensure that it does not tumble during flight. As a noun, fletching refers to the fins or vanes attached to an arrow, each of which fins is known as a fletch. Traditionally, the fletching consists of three matched half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow or dart's shaft that are equally spaced around its circumference. Today, modern plastics may be used instead. Fletches are traditionally attached with silk thread but simpler methods are also used, such as gluing. The fletching is used to stabilize the arrow through air resistance in flight. Some fletches act to impart a spin on the projectile, but all are there to impart a drag[citation needed] on the tail of the projectile to ensure that it does not tumble during flight.citation neededcitation needed More generally, it can refer to any structures added to a projectile in order to aerodynamically stabilize its flight, many of which resemble arrows in form and function. For instance, the feathers at the butt end of a dart (of the type cast using an atlatl) are very similar in purpose and construction to those used in arrows. Most of the techniques of fletching were likely adapted from earlier dart-making techniques. The fins used to stabilize rockets also work in a similar manner. More generally, it can refer to any structures added to a projectile in order to aerodynamically stabilize its flight, many of which resemble arrows in form and function. For instance, the feathers at the butt end of a dart (of the type cast using an atlatl) are very similar in purpose and construction to those used in arrows. Most of the techniques of fletching were likely adapted from earlier dart-making techniques. The fins used to stabilize rockets also work in a similar manner. projectileaerodynamicallystabilizedartatlatlfins rockets projectileaerodynamicallystabilizedartatlatlfins rockets

BLACKSMITHS Blacksmiths were very important in the middle ages. They made weapons, armor, decoration for the "modern" medieval household, keys, chains (left), and many other tools that were needed in an average town. A blacksmith would use certain tools (below right) similar to that of a goldsmith in order to melt the metals, combine them, (in some cases, such as pewter) and then shape them into the desired object. Some of these tools were anvils (used as a template on which to shape the object), hammers (used to flatten and shape metals), rasps, files, (used to smooth out rough edges) chisels, (used to sculpt and carve out details or designs on objects) pincers, (used to pinch, close, and twist metals) chasing tools, and drawplates. (These were used for making wire.) Blacksmiths were very important in the middle ages. They made weapons, armor, decoration for the "modern" medieval household, keys, chains (left), and many other tools that were needed in an average town. A blacksmith would use certain tools (below right) similar to that of a goldsmith in order to melt the metals, combine them, (in some cases, such as pewter) and then shape them into the desired object. Some of these tools were anvils (used as a template on which to shape the object), hammers (used to flatten and shape metals), rasps, files, (used to smooth out rough edges) chisels, (used to sculpt and carve out details or designs on objects) pincers, (used to pinch, close, and twist metals) chasing tools, and drawplates. (These were used for making wire.) Also, in every blacksmith’s shop, there was a furnace in which the metals would be heated, so that they were more manageable and could be bent, folded, or pinched into the goal shape. The picture in the upper left is of an iron chain, and the picture to the right is of various tools that blacksmiths used. Anyone who wanted to become a blacksmith had to be prepared for a long, hard, sooty apprenticeship mostly spent next to a blazing fire. However, the blacksmith guild was very profitable because of the wide variety of products that the blacksmiths offered. Also, in every blacksmith’s shop, there was a furnace in which the metals would be heated, so that they were more manageable and could be bent, folded, or pinched into the goal shape. The picture in the upper left is of an iron chain, and the picture to the right is of various tools that blacksmiths used. Anyone who wanted to become a blacksmith had to be prepared for a long, hard, sooty apprenticeship mostly spent next to a blazing fire. However, the blacksmith guild was very profitable because of the wide variety of products that the blacksmiths offered.

GOLDSMITHS Goldsmiths were the main jewelers in the medieval world. They worked on both gold and silver, but silver or silver-gilt was seen as a poor substitute for gold, so it was suitable for lower classes. The gold that they made was actually “recycled” gold. They found old coins, jewelry, and other objects that were made of gold. These items were usually from past Byzantine emperors and their courts. Some of the jewels found in the ancient pieces of gold were carved, and the goldsmiths took advantage of these stones. They used these instead of plain stones to decorate their work so they could charge more and get more profit, considering they didn’t carve the gems. After the stones were taken out, the pure gold was melted in smelting pots. Then a wax mold was made and the heated gold was poured into the molds. After the gold had cooled in the mold, the wax would be taken off, and if desired, (a) stone(s) would be put into the product. Goldsmiths were the main jewelers in the medieval world. They worked on both gold and silver, but silver or silver-gilt was seen as a poor substitute for gold, so it was suitable for lower classes. The gold that they made was actually “recycled” gold. They found old coins, jewelry, and other objects that were made of gold. These items were usually from past Byzantine emperors and their courts. Some of the jewels found in the ancient pieces of gold were carved, and the goldsmiths took advantage of these stones. They used these instead of plain stones to decorate their work so they could charge more and get more profit, considering they didn’t carve the gems. After the stones were taken out, the pure gold was melted in smelting pots. Then a wax mold was made and the heated gold was poured into the molds. After the gold had cooled in the mold, the wax would be taken off, and if desired, (a) stone(s) would be put into the product. Goldsmiths also had both options as to what they could put in their work. They could use materials, such as mother of pearl, stones, or enamel. The products of the goldsmiths were rings, pendants, charms for necklaces, earrings, goblets, containers, and statuettes. Goldsmiths also had both options as to what they could put in their work. They could use materials, such as mother of pearl, stones, or enamel. The products of the goldsmiths were rings, pendants, charms for necklaces, earrings, goblets, containers, and statuettes.

SILVERSMITHS A silversmith is a person who works primarily making objects in solid silver; historically the training and guild organization of goldsmiths included silversmiths as well, and the two crafts remain largely overlapping. Unlike blacksmiths, silversmiths do not shape the metal while it is red-hot but instead, work it at room temperature with gentle and carefully placed hammerblows. The essence of silversmithing is to take a flat piece of metal and by means of different hammers, stakes and other simple tools, to transform it into a useful object.[1] A silversmith is a person who works primarily making objects in solid silver; historically the training and guild organization of goldsmiths included silversmiths as well, and the two crafts remain largely overlapping. Unlike blacksmiths, silversmiths do not shape the metal while it is red-hot but instead, work it at room temperature with gentle and carefully placed hammerblows. The essence of silversmithing is to take a flat piece of metal and by means of different hammers, stakes and other simple tools, to transform it into a useful object.[1]silver goldsmithsblacksmithshammers[1]silver goldsmithsblacksmithshammers[1] While silversmiths specialize in, and principally work, silver, they also work with other metals such as gold, copper, steel, and brass. They make jewellery, silverware, armour, vases, and other artistic items. Because silver is such a malleable metal, silversmiths have a large range of choices with how they prefer to work the metal. Historically, silversmiths are mostly referred to as goldsmiths, which was usually the same guild. In the western Canadian silversmith tradition, guilds do not exist; however, mentoring through colleagues becomes a method of professional learning within a community of craftspeople. While silversmiths specialize in, and principally work, silver, they also work with other metals such as gold, copper, steel, and brass. They make jewellery, silverware, armour, vases, and other artistic items. Because silver is such a malleable metal, silversmiths have a large range of choices with how they prefer to work the metal. Historically, silversmiths are mostly referred to as goldsmiths, which was usually the same guild. In the western Canadian silversmith tradition, guilds do not exist; however, mentoring through colleagues becomes a method of professional learning within a community of craftspeople. metalsgoldcoppersteel brassjewellerysilverwarearmourvasesgoldsmithsguild metalsgoldcoppersteel brassjewellerysilverwarearmourvasesgoldsmithsguild Traditionally silversmiths mostly made "silverware" (cutlery, table flatware, bowls, candlesticks and such). Only in more recent times has silversmithing become mainly work in jewellery, as much less solid silver tableware is now handmade. Traditionally silversmiths mostly made "silverware" (cutlery, table flatware, bowls, candlesticks and such). Only in more recent times has silversmithing become mainly work in jewellery, as much less solid silver tableware is now handmade.silverwarecutleryflatwaresilverwarecutleryflatware

Cobblers Cobblers were often common laborers who designed and made footwear. Anything from shoes fashioned from burlap, hide or leather to elaborate and fancy boots made from reptile skins. Their work was regarded as necessary but as the materials they worked with fetched high prices, not all were able to afford them. Shoemakers eventually curtailed their businesses to suit the needs of most people and designed lesser pieces of footwear from cloth and even wood. Though they appealed to the mass populace and even though their product was necessary, Shoemakers often earned only average wages. Cobblers were often common laborers who designed and made footwear. Anything from shoes fashioned from burlap, hide or leather to elaborate and fancy boots made from reptile skins. Their work was regarded as necessary but as the materials they worked with fetched high prices, not all were able to afford them. Shoemakers eventually curtailed their businesses to suit the needs of most people and designed lesser pieces of footwear from cloth and even wood. Though they appealed to the mass populace and even though their product was necessary, Shoemakers often earned only average wages.