More Medieval More Medieval OccupationsOccupations

A. Justice WilliamsA. Justice Williams

Period 6Period 6

FLETCHERFLETCHER FletchingFletching is the ancient art of aerodynamically is the ancient art of aerodynamically

stabilizing stabilizing arrowsarrows from materials such as feathers. The from materials such as feathers. The word is related to the word is related to the FrenchFrench word word flècheflèche, meaning , meaning "arrow," via "arrow," via Old FrenchOld French; the ultimate root is ; the ultimate root is FrankishFrankish **fliukkafliukka..

As a noun, As a noun, fletchingfletching refers to the fins or vanes attached refers to the fins or vanes attached to an arrow, each of which fins is known as a to an arrow, each of which fins is known as a fletch.fletch. Traditionally, the fletching consists of three matched Traditionally, the fletching consists of three matched half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow or half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow or dart's shaft that are equally spaced around its dart's shaft that are equally spaced around its circumference. Today, modern plastics may be used circumference. Today, modern plastics may be used instead. Fletches are traditionally attached with silk instead. Fletches are traditionally attached with silk thread but simpler methods are also used, such as thread but simpler methods are also used, such as gluing. The fletching is used to stabilize the arrow gluing. The fletching is used to stabilize the arrow through air resistance in flight. Some fletches act to through air resistance in flight. Some fletches act to impart a spin on the projectile, but all are there to impart a spin on the projectile, but all are there to impart a drag[impart a drag[citationcitation needed needed] on the tail of the ] on the tail of the projectile to ensure that it does not tumble during flight.projectile to ensure that it does not tumble during flight.

More generally, it can refer to any structures added to a More generally, it can refer to any structures added to a projectileprojectile in order to in order to aerodynamicallyaerodynamically stabilizestabilize its flight, its flight, many of which resemble arrows in form and function. many of which resemble arrows in form and function. For instance, the feathers at the butt end of a For instance, the feathers at the butt end of a dartdart (of (of the type cast using an the type cast using an atlatlatlatl) are very similar in purpose ) are very similar in purpose and construction to those used in arrows. Most of the and construction to those used in arrows. Most of the techniques of fletching were likely adapted from earlier techniques of fletching were likely adapted from earlier dart-making techniques. The dart-making techniques. The finsfins used to stabilize used to stabilize rocketsrockets also work in a similar manner.  also work in a similar manner. 

BLACKSMITHSBLACKSMITHS Blacksmiths were very important in the middle ages. Blacksmiths were very important in the middle ages.

They made weapons, armor,  decoration for the They made weapons, armor,  decoration for the "modern" medieval household, keys, chains (left), "modern" medieval household, keys, chains (left), and many other tools that were needed in an average and many other tools that were needed in an average town. A blacksmith would use certain tools (below town. A blacksmith would use certain tools (below right) similar to that of a goldsmith in order to melt right) similar to that of a goldsmith in order to melt the metals, combine them, (in some cases, such as the metals, combine them, (in some cases, such as pewter) and then shape them into the desired object. pewter) and then shape them into the desired object. Some of these tools were anvils (used as a template Some of these tools were anvils (used as a template on which to shape the object), hammers (used to on which to shape the object), hammers (used to flatten and shape metals), rasps, files, (used to flatten and shape metals), rasps, files, (used to smooth out rough edges) chisels, (used to sculpt and smooth out rough edges) chisels, (used to sculpt and carve out details or designs on objects) pincers, (used carve out details or designs on objects) pincers, (used to pinch, close, and twist metals) chasing tools, and to pinch, close, and twist metals) chasing tools, and drawplates. (These were used for making wire.)  drawplates. (These were used for making wire.) 

Also, in every blacksmith’s shop, there was a  furnace Also, in every blacksmith’s shop, there was a  furnace in which the metals would be heated, so that they in which the metals would be heated, so that they were more manageable and could be bent, folded, or were more manageable and could be bent, folded, or pinched into  the goal shape. The picture in the upper pinched into  the goal shape. The picture in the upper left is of an iron chain, and the picture to the right is left is of an iron chain, and the picture to the right is of various tools that blacksmiths used. Anyone who of various tools that blacksmiths used. Anyone who wanted to become a blacksmith had to be prepared wanted to become a blacksmith had to be prepared for a long, hard, sooty apprenticeship mostly spent for a long, hard, sooty apprenticeship mostly spent next to a blazing fire. However, the blacksmith guild next to a blazing fire. However, the blacksmith guild was very profitable because of the wide variety of was very profitable because of the wide variety of products that the blacksmiths offered. products that the blacksmiths offered. 

GOLDSMITHSGOLDSMITHS Goldsmiths were the main jewelers in the medieval world.  They 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 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 poor substitute for gold, so it was suitable for lower classes. The gold that they made was actually “recycled” gold.  They found old coins, that they made was actually “recycled” gold.  They found old coins, jewelry, and other objects that were made of gold.  These items were jewelry, and other objects that were made of gold.  These items were usually from past Byzantine emperors and their courts.  Some of the usually from past Byzantine emperors and their courts.  Some of the jewels found in the ancient pieces of gold were carved, and the   jewels found in the ancient pieces of gold were carved, and the   goldsmiths took advantage of these stones.  They used these instead goldsmiths took advantage of these stones.  They used these instead of plain stones to decorate their work so they could charge more and 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 get more profit, considering they didn’t carve the gems.  After the stones were taken out, the pure gold was melted in smelting pots. 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 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 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.   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 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 work.  They could use materials, such as mother of pearl, stones, or enamel.  The products of the goldsmiths were rings, pendants, enamel.  The products of the goldsmiths were rings, pendants, charms for necklaces, earrings, goblets, containers, and statuettes.charms for necklaces, earrings, goblets, containers, and statuettes.

SILVERSMITHSSILVERSMITHS A A silversmithsilversmith is a person who works primarily making objects is a person who works primarily making objects

in solid in solid silversilver; historically the training and guild organization of ; historically the training and guild organization of goldsmithsgoldsmiths included silversmiths as well, and the two crafts included silversmiths as well, and the two crafts remain largely overlapping. Unlike remain largely overlapping. Unlike blacksmithsblacksmiths, silversmiths do , silversmiths do not shape the metal while it is red-hot but instead, work it at not shape the metal while it is red-hot but instead, work it at room temperature with gentle and carefully placed room temperature with gentle and carefully placed hammerblows. The essence of silversmithing is to take a flat hammerblows. The essence of silversmithing is to take a flat piece of metal and by means of different piece of metal and by means of different hammershammers, stakes and , stakes and other simple tools, to transform it into a useful object.other simple tools, to transform it into a useful object.[1][1]

While silversmiths specialize in, and principally work, silver, While silversmiths specialize in, and principally work, silver, they also work with other they also work with other metalsmetals such as such as goldgold, , coppercopper, , steelsteel, and , and brassbrass. They make . They make jewelleryjewellery, , silverwaresilverware, , armourarmour, , vasesvases, and other , and other artistic items. Because silver is such a malleable metal, artistic items. Because silver is such a malleable metal, silversmiths have a large range of choices with how they prefer silversmiths have a large range of choices with how they prefer to work the metal. Historically, silversmiths are mostly referred to work the metal. Historically, silversmiths are mostly referred to as goldsmiths, which was usually the same guild. In the to as goldsmiths, which was usually the same guild. In the western Canadian silversmith tradition, guilds do not exist; western Canadian silversmith tradition, guilds do not exist; however, mentoring through colleagues becomes a method of however, mentoring through colleagues becomes a method of professional learning within a community of craftspeople.professional learning within a community of craftspeople.

Traditionally silversmiths mostly made "silverware" (cutlery, Traditionally silversmiths mostly made "silverware" (cutlery, table flatware, bowls, candlesticks and such). Only in more table flatware, bowls, candlesticks and such). Only in more recent times has silversmithing become mainly work in recent times has silversmithing become mainly work in jewellery, as much less solid silver tableware is now handmade.jewellery, as much less solid silver tableware is now handmade.

CobblersCobblers Cobblers were often common laborers Cobblers were often common laborers

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