Image: Shutterstock/Schorle via Wiki Commons
About This Quiz
Long before we had Uber drivers, FBI agents and clinical psychologists, there were many different kinds of jobs which helped build our society to get to where it is today. From the lowly kitchen scullion and the always dirty chimney sweep to knights who protected the monarchs and courtesans who kept the rich and powerful "company," there was a job and place for everyone in medieval society.ÂÂ
The Middle Ages or Medieval Period started from the 5th century up until the 15th, and while everyone believed that it was a simple time, the truth is, the working world was much more difficult than the one we know today. There was rarely any opportunity to climb up the figurative 'ladder' and there were even fewer options for those who wanted to switch careers. Many people either followed in the footsteps of their families while others did what they were naturally good at.ÂÂ
If you were given images of people performing their duties during that time period, would you be able to guess what the name of their occupations was? Well, this quiz was designed to test just that. Take it to see how much you know about medieval people and their jobs.ÂÂ
Zyance via Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Cowherder
Farmer
Miller
A miller was responsible for operating and maintaining mills, often times producing grain by grinding wheat in some type of machine, (a mill) in order to sell to the public and bakers.
Ostler
Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Shepherd
Cobbler
A cobbler was one of the lower status occupations who were responsible for repairing worn or damaged shoes and boots. They also worked with other materials such as rope, wood and cloth, as they were also used to make footwear.
Woolcomber
Forester
Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Gamekeeper
Oyster raker
Artist
Playwright
Playwrights, poets and dramatists are all different types of artists known for writing poems and plays, which were often performed at different theaters or public gatherings.
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Schorle via Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Stone mason
A stone mason is a type of craftsman whose job included drawing, designing, engineering and building houses and buildings specifically out of rocks and stones.
Sculptor
Tailor
Glover
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Weaver
Porter
Porters worked in different castles and monasteries at the main entrance to ensure that no one entered or left the compound without permission. They were also responsible for the main guardroom.
Locksmith
Shoemaker
Bodow via Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Fletcher
Stringer
Cobbler
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a type of craftsman who traditionally worked with iron or steel. They were tasked with forging weapons from metals in fire as well as sharpening and repairing them.
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Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Knifesmith
Silversmith
Courtesan
A courtesan, sometimes called a mistress or high-class prostitute, was a person who provided companionship and sexual favors to royals and powerful people who were already married.
Beekeeper
Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Minstrel
A minstrel is a person who provided entertainment in castles, often in the form of playing a musical instrument or singing. They were known for their storytelling abilities.
Basketmaker
Brewer
Bellmaker
BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Chandler
A chandler, sometimes called a candle maker, was a person who was responsible for creating candles (and in some cases soap), as well as being responsible for the room that they were kept in.
Shipwright
Miller
Stonecutter
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BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Reedmaker
Armorer
An armorer is a craftsman who had the task of making or repairing personal armor. The phrase can also refer to someone who maintains an armory of ammunition and explosives.
Sailmaker
Wheeler
Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Bandit
Bawd
Bailiff
Falconer
A falconer is a person who trains and raises birds of prey, one of which is the falcon. These birds were usually owned by royals and the falconers were tasked with tending to their needs.
BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Poet
Chancellor
Physician
A physician, or doctor, is a medical professional who performed non-surgical duties, often diagnosing and treating with medication and lifestyle changes. There were also plague doctors who were known for wearing beaked face masks.
Watchman
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Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Tailor
Tailors, just like those today, were responsible for designing and constructing clothing for a small portion of the population. They were known for creating everything from underwear to ball gowns.
Nobleman
Banker
Apothecary
Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Inn keeper
Sculptor
A sculptor is a type of artist who specialized in sculpting. Their molding materials included everything from stone, metal, clay and wood and even glass and other ceramics.
Knight
Peddler
BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Grocer
Archer
Knight
Plowman
Plowmen had some of the dirtiest jobs in medieval times. They were responsible for loading carts of cow manure to be sent to the field in order to plant crops. Some of them also plowed the fields into rows for the crops.
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BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Admiral
Scullion
A scullion is a type of servant who was assigned to do the most menial kitchen work, in other words, they were the lowest of the kitchen workers and had to clean and wash dishes.
Spy
Cartwright
BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Bowyer
Chaplain
A chaplain is a type of cleric (religious leader) which represented the church at hospitals, prisons, schools and various other places. Some of them also had duties similar to that of a clerk.
Bishop
Fisherman
BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Cardinal
Nun
Butcher
A butcher is a person who slaughters and/ or sells meat. They are known for preparing them for retail, often at produce markets and different shops. Some were also tasked with domesticating livestock.
Hobbler
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BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Scribe
A scribe is someone who was responsible for writing different books, letters and manuscripts and in some instances, reading them, usually at religious establishments and royal castles.
Barber
Laundress
Teller
Jarosław .Kucybała via Youtube
What is this medieval profession?
Gardner
Wetnurse
Bailiff
A bailiff is a type of legal officer who was responsible for keeping the peace in a courtroom, as well as enforcing the rules and providing protection for the acting judge.
Farmer
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Beggar
Groom
A groom, sometimes called a stable boy, is a person who was responsible for the management of horses and in some cases the stables as well. It could also refer to someone who was employed by a stable owner.
Pilgrim
Housewife
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Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Ackerman
Dairymaid
Shepherd
Bandit
A bandit is a person who mainly commits the acting of stealing goods or money. In medieval times, they usually did it groups called gangs but were also known for acting alone.
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Tillerman
Falcomer
Chamberlain
A Chamberlain was a type of senior royal officer who was in charge of managing the royal household and their budget. They were also required to collect the revenue and pay the expenses of the house.
Gamekeeper
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Sculptor
Limner
Reeve
Reeves were senior officials who were responsible for supervising work being done at a royal or high-ranking official's property. They were responsible for ensuring that work began and ended on time.
Composer
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Alistair Young via Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Rat catcher
Squire
Squires were junior knights known for running the errands and learning about the etiquette and traditions of the court. They were required to serve for seven years before becoming knights.
Mason
Carpenter
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Tailor
Cooper
Mason
Page
A page or page boy, is a young male attendant who plays the role of a servant and messenger to a nobleman. These boys may or may not have come from noble houses and upon reaching the age of seven, leave home to serve.
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Milkmaid
A milkmaid is a girl or woman who milks cows, which is to be used to prepare dairy product including but not limited to cream, butter, cheese and yogurt.
Shoemaker
Tailor
Rug maker
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BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Blacksmith
Rope maker
Gardener
Medieval gardeners were tasked with managing the ivy on castle walls as well as any other plant which could have been used to climb. They also had to have a sound knowledge of different herbs.
Cobbler
Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Glover
Jester
A jester, sometimes called a fool, is a type of entertainer who performed at the households and palaces of monarchs and noblemen. They also performed at fairs and in market places.
Smelter
Carpenter
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Brick layer
Book binder
Butcher
Chimney sweep
A chimney sweep is a worker who is responsible for clearing the ash and soot that accumulates in chimneys. There were two types: the master sweep who was responsible for sweeping the chimneys and the apprentice who usually carried the materials.
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BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Chain maker
Alchemist
An alchemist is a person who studies a form of chemistry, specifically different methods of transmuting different metals into gold. They were also known for trying to find cures for different diseases.
Glass blower
Mint master
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Peddler
Perfumer
Draper
Drapers were a type of trader who specialized in importing and selling different types of fabrics and materials. They operated out of a shop but would often make house calls to the royal and noble families.
Pick pocketer
Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Knight
A knight is a type of soldier and fighter who served and protected his sovereign monarch. It was considered an honor to be a knight and they were often portrayed wearing some type of armor.
Piper
Lady
Banker
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Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Drover
Furrier
A furrier is a person who buys, sells and sometimes creates fur garments. They are also known for repairing and cleaning fur or garments with fur and products with animal hair.
Mercer
Spicer
Wiki Commons
What is this medieval profession?
Shrimper
Captain
Scout
Fishmonger
A fishmonger is a person who sells different types of raw seafood; in those days, it was in stalls in different markets. Today, the fish can be boned, filleted and gutted, if requested by the buyer.
BBC
What is this medieval profession?
Mariner
Pilgrim
Hobbler
Baker
A baker is someone who bakes and often sells bread and pastries at a bakery. They use a form of concentrated heat source to make the goods and in those days, it was an open hearth or some type of fireplace.
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Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Sail maker
Weaver
A weaver is a person who produces textiles by using either yarn or thread on a spindle-type apparatus. Other methods of creating textiles include knitting, braiding, and crocheting the material.
Poet
Cartier
Mark Pettey via Youtube
What is this medieval profession?
Herald
A herald was a type of officer who was charged with carrying messages to and from different places. Some of them were also tasked with making public announcements on behalf of kings and nobles.
Carver
Courtesan
Cook
Shutterstock
What is this medieval profession?
Butler
Miller
Watchman
Watchmen, sometimes called night-watchmen, were groups of men who helped decrease criminal activity by walking around to monitor different places. They were also tasked with recovering stolen goods and being on fire watch.
Servant
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You Got:
/40
Shutterstock/Schorle via Wiki Commons