For many of us, our daily routine is fairly similar from day to day. But if you were living in the Middle Ages and wanted to get something done, you had to find someone with the skills to help you out.
Even jobs that seem easy now required specific people with unique talents back then, like this 10 strange medieval jobs you wouldn’t believe were real…
1. Herbalist
The majority of Europe relied on herbs for a range of medicinal and health needs, but most herbalists were poorly paid for their services. They treated everything from coughs to sterility. With few effective remedies at their disposal, medieval doctors often turned to herbalism as a last resort.
Indeed, medieval people believed that the ability to find healing plants was the mark of an especially gifted healer.
Medieval herbalists would have had knowledge of what plants and herbs could be used in particular situations or ailments. One such herb might be hellebore: once thought by medieval people to be a cure-all for any ailment; it was later found out to be lethal when ingested in large quantities.
2. Groomer
The medieval groomer was a person who removed hair from animals and humans. Usually, they specialized in animal hair removal, but the groomer could also specialize in human grooming. Medieval groomers were skilled in using scissors to help remove hair without irritating the skin or causing bleeding.
They often used a mixture of oils and soaps to help disinfect the skin as well as soften and condition it.
Medieval groomers also had to be skilled with sharp knives to cut off unwanted fur on different parts of an animal’s body and trim away excess hair around their neck, ears, mouth, and paws.
3. Bookmaker
The medieval bookmaker was a person who made books by hand. They were responsible for cutting the parchment, inking the quill and producing accurate copies of texts. Medieval bookmakers were often skilled calligraphers, and they produced beautiful books that are still used today.
4. Peacock Trainer
The peacock trainer is a medieval occupation that you might not have known existed. The peacock trainer is responsible for training the birds so that they’re obedient and able to perform in public. There are various methods to training a peacock, but most involve using food as a reward and punishment mechanism.
5. Urinal Cleaner
It’s hard to believe that someone actually had the job of urinal cleaner, but it was a real profession in medieval times. This person would go around and clean up all the urine from outhouses, latrines, and privies. If you’re feeling grossed out right now, we don’t blame you.
6. Rat Catcher
The medieval work of rat catcher was a profession as ancient as the rodents themselves. These brave men would go into abandoned houses and other areas where food was plentiful, such as granaries or stables, to catch rats and mice. They used long handled trays or baskets to scoop up the rodents before they could escape while armed with clubs in case they were attacked.
7. Seamstress
The medieval seamstress was a person who sewed clothes. They would have been relatively wealthy because they could afford the luxury of sewing materials like silk, velvet, and gold thread. The seamstress had to know how to cut fabric in such a way that it would not fray. If she didn’t sew garments for herself or her family, she might sew for those who could afford her work.
8. Pig Chaser
The medieval pig chaser would chase pigs away from farms and crops, but not because they wanted the pig to be left alone. In fact, pig chasers were paid to chase the pigs into a particular location where they would be set up as an easy target for hunters. So while you might think that medieval work is all about farming and baking, you’ll find out there’s more to it than meets the eye!
9. Barbershop Singer
Barbershop singers were not the only medieval entertainers who would sing in exchange for money. Medieval millers, or people who ran the machines that ground grain, were also paid to sing songs about their profession in order to attract customers and convince them to buy their product.
They often sang about how many sacks of flour they could produce within a day and encouraged people to come buy from them.
10. Executioner’s Apprentice
The medieval executioners apprentice was responsible for helping out with their master’s job. They often acted as guards, helped to prepare the execution site, and they would also be assigned other jobs that would come up.
The executioner’s apprentice needed to be strong and tough as they were often exposed to violence in the course of their work. Medieval executioners apprentices were usually orphans or children of poor families who had no choice but to work with the executioner in order to survive.
Groom of the stool
The Groom of the Stool was a position in the royal household in charge of cleaning the King’s anus, making sure it was clean and dry. The title is derived from stool which is another word for toilet. One of their duties was to wipe his buttocks with a sponge, or wet nurse.
In addition to being the butt-washer they were also responsible for helping him urinate and defecate by handing him a bowl or a pot under his privy parts.
