Introduction Part II Personas

In the Outremer many types of medieval persona can be found and we will help you develop medieval personas to fit your interest. Some of the popular types include.     Some titles/positions are Reserved in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society) See below for types.                                                                                      

Crusader era (11th-13th Century) persona pages

   Templar     Templar persona Info   

   Saracen     Islamic persona Info 

   Pilgrim       Pilgrim persona Info

   Merchant   Merchant persona Info

   Clergy        Clergy persona Info

   Soldier       Soldiers persona Info

   Noble         Noble persona Info

   Scholar

   Guildsman

   Craftsman

Medieval Occupations & Jobs -

ACROBAT

An Acrobat was a popular Medieval entertainer

ARMORER

A Medieval Armorer held an important occupation in the Medieval workforce.

APOTHECARY

An Apothecary dispensed remedies made from herbs, plants and roots. Medieval physicians were expensive and a priest/monk often held this occupation, often the only recourse for sick, poor people. Jewish and Islamic variations are more akin to physicians in general.

ARTIST

Artists were employed in the Medieval era by both nobles and church. 

          Examples

                  fresco painter

                  glasspainter

                  illuminator

                  limner - illuminator of books

                  painter - dictionary - portraits and landscapes  

                  sculptor

ASTROLOGER

An astrologer studied the stars and planets but regarded as a mystical person. This was mostly a Jewish and Islamic practice until later in the middle ages. Sometimes even practiced by ecclesiastics.

ATILLIATOR

The occupation of a Castle Atilliator was to make crossbows

BAILIFF Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

The occupation of the Castle Bailiff was to manage the castle estate or farm .

BAKER

Bread was a daily staple of Medieval life, and good bakers were employed by Nobles in their castles.

BARBER

A Barber had many occupations in relation to personal care. Barbers would cut hair but would also serve as dentists, surgeons and blood-letters.

BLACKSMITH

The Blacksmith was one of the most important occupations of the Medieval era. Blacksmiths forged weapons, sharpened weapons, repaired armor.

BOTTLER

A Bottler had a responsible occupation and was in charge of the Bottlery which was intended for storing and dispensing wines and other expensive provisions.

BUTLER Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

The Butler was responsible for the castle cellar and was in charge of large butts of beer. The room in the castle called the Buttery was intended for storing and dispensing beverages, especially ale.

BOWER OR BOWYER

The Bowyer manufactured bows, arrows and crossbows

CANDLEMAKER

The Candlemaker made candles to light the castle. Candles were supplemented by lighting from torches, lanterns and rush dips. An 11th century Candlemaker called Graham Overhill is credited with inventing a candle - clock. A candle was produced with twelve lines on it. When lit at the top of the hour, the candle would burn from line to line at the rate of one hour for each line. The Medieval clock! Candles were mostly used by ecclesiastics, oil lamps were more common in period.

CARPENTER

The occupation of the Carpenter was diverse. Carpenters built furniture, roofing, siege engines and wood paneling. Carpenter: a skilled craftsman who shaped or made things of wood. Carpenters were highly skilled and considered to be elite tradesmen

CASTELLAN Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

Castellan was the occupation of the person who had been appointed as Custodian, or in charge of, the castle

CHAMBERLAIN Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

Chamberlain - The title originated with an officer of a royal household who was responsible for the Chamber, which included the administration of the king's household's budget. This occupation was later extended to collecting revenues and paying expenses

CHANCELLOR (This may be used with households)

A chancellor was a secretary to a Noble or Royal person

CHAPLAIN (Must be a member of the "Clergy")

The Chaplain was responsible for the religious activities of a castle servants and Men at arms. The duties might also include that of a clerk and keeping accounts. A Priest would usually looked after the spiritual needs and confessions of the Nobles and their families

CLERK

A Clerk was employed to keep accounts

CLOTHIER

Clothiers made clothes for the nobles and required having a knowledge of various fine and expensive materials

CONSTABLE Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

Constable was the occupation of the person who had been appointed as Custodian, or in charge of, the castle

COOK

Cook was employed in the castle kitchens roasting, broiling, and baking food in the fireplaces and ovens.

CORDWAINER

A Cordwainer was a Shoemaker or Cobbler, a craftsman who made shoes

COTTAR

A Cottar was one of the lowest peasant occupations, undertaken by the old or infirm, who had a series of low duties including swine-herd,, prison guard and menial tasks

DITCHER

Ditcher a labourer who dug castle moats and foundations

EWERER

A Ewerer brought and heated water for the noble

FLETCHER

The Fletcher crafted and manufactured bows and the flights of arrows

GARDENER

The Medieval Gardener needed a knowledge of herbs and plants. A Gardeners work was critical to the safety and protection of a castle - castle walls had to be kept clear of ivy or anything else that could be used to climb the castle walls and gardeners were expected to dig defensive ditches

HERALD OR HARKER

A Herald was a knights assistant and an expert adviser on heraldry. The Herald (or Harker) would declare announcements on behalf of the King or Noble to the public. Normally this was done on a given day when the public would assemble at the base of a castle tower or in the town square and the Herald would shout out the news

HERBALIST

A Herbalist was usually a member of a religious order such as a monk or friar who would plant and maintain medicinal plants, roots and herbs.

JANITOR Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

The Janitor, or Porter, was responsible for the main Castle entrance and for the guardrooms. The Janitor also insured that no one entered or left the castle without permission

JESTER

The Jester also referred to as the Fool entertained the court

KEEPER OF THE WARDROBE Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

The room in the castle called the wardrobe was intended as a dressing room and storage room for clothes and used by Lord of the castle. The Keeper of the Wardrobe was in charge of the tailors and laundress.

KNIGHT Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (May be earned in the SCA, MSR or other Society)

It was the duty of a Knight to learn how to fight and so serve their Lord according to the Code of Chivalry. Knighthood can be earned in the Outremer Society, for outstanding service.

MARSHAL

Marshal was the officer in charge of a household's horses, carts, wagons, containers and the transporting of goods.

MESSENGER

Messengers were lesser diplomats of the lord who carried receipts, letters, and commodities. The occupation of a Messenger was often dangerous as if the message delivered was less than favorable the Messenger was often the victim of the incurred anger of the recipient leading to the saying "Don't kill the messenger".

MINSTREL

Minstrels provided Castle entertainment in the form of singing and playing musical instruments. Minstrels often would record the deeds of heroic knights in songs giving the knight great publicity and establishing respect and additional status

MONEYLENDER Reserved Position in development

Moneylenders were the Medieval bankers.

PAGE

The life of a castle Page would start at a very young age - seven years old. A Page was junior to a Squire. It was the duty of a Page to wait at table, care for the Lord's clothes and assist them in dressing. The Page was provided with a uniform of the colours and livery of the Lord.

PAINTER

Medieval castles ere highly colorful and the services of painters were often required

PORTER

The Janitor, or Porter, was responsible for the main Castle entrance and for the guardrooms. The Porter also insured that no one entered or left the castle without permission

PHYSICIAN Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be a medical Practictioner)

Physicians were a very highly regarded and respected occupation. Bleeding, lancing and surgical procedures were practiced.

POTTER

Potters were craftsmen of in clay, porcelain and early forms of ceramics. Basically they produced pots for cooking and storage and occasionally worked as sculptors.

REEVE Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

The Reeve supervised all work on a lord's property. The Reeve ensured that everyone began and stopped work on time

SCRIBE

Most Scribes came from religious establishments where reading, writing and comprehension skills were learned.

SCULLION

Scullions were the lowest of kitchen workers whose duties included washing and cleaning the kitchen

SHERIFF Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

The sheriff was an important official of county who was responsible for executing judicial duties

SHOEMAKER

A Shoemaker or Cobbler or Cordwainer was a craftsman who made shoes

SPINSTER

Spinster was the name of the occupation given to a woman who earned her living spinning yarn. The Spinning Wheel was invented during the Medieval era. Later the term Spinster was used to describe any unmarried woman

STEWARD  Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

The Steward took care of the castle estate and household administration including the events in the Great Hall. This occupation was also referred to as a Seneschal

SQUIRE

A Squire was junior to a Knight. It was the duty of a Squire to learn about the Code of Chivalry, the rules of Heraldry, horsemanship and practice the use of weapons. It was also their duty to enter into the social life of the castle and learn courtly etiquette, music and dancing. The Squire served in this role for seven years and became a Knight at the age of twenty-one. Sometimes knighthood was conferred earlier as the reward for bravery on the battlefield

WATCHMAN Reserved Title in the Outremer Society (Must be earned in Society)

Watchmen was an official at the castle responsible for security. Also night-watchman