Dictionary of Old Occupations

Definitions of jobs Arbalestere - Axel Turner

Arbalester: alternate spelling of Arbalister, a medieval crossbowman.

Arbalister: a medieval crossbowman.

Arbiter: person with the authority to make judgements and settle disputes.

Archer: a soldier who used bow and arrow; a Bowman.

Archiater: a chief physician retained by the monarch. The term dates back to Roman times.

Archiator: alternate spelling of Archaiter, a chief physician.

Archil Maker: made a violet / purple dye called archil for use in the textile industry. Archil was created by bruising lichens to which were added spirits and quick lime.

Ark Man: worked in the pottery industry producing slip in a tank called an ark.

Arkwright: a craftsman who made of wooden chests called arks.

Armiger: a young nobleman who carried a knight’s armour. The term evolved to include a person entitled to bear a heraldic coat of arms.

Armiger Squire: another term for an Armiger. The term evolved into 'esquire'.

Armourer: made suits of armour and weapons. The term includes the making of firearms, e.g. a Gunsmith.

Arrowsmith: artisan who made arrows, including forging metal arrowheads and fitting them to the shaft. May also include fitting the fletchings, see Fletcher.

Art Ware Maker: cast ornamental articles in the pottery trade.

Artificer: a member of the military skilled in a trade (e.g. carpentry, blacksmithing), a craftsman or an inventor. The term can also be used generically to refer to any skilled worker.

Artisan: a skilled craftsman or artificer, or a person who distresses wooden items to make them appear old.

Artist Painter: artist and expert hand painter who decorated pottery.

Ashery worker: a worker at a factory or ash pit where hardwood was converted in to pear or potash.

Ashman: a refuse collector or street sweeper. May sometimes be a misspelling of Washman.

Assayer: tested metal to check its purity.

Assay Master: was in charge of an Assay Office where metal was checked for purity, and where gold and silver were hallmarked.

Assisor: Scottish legal term for a juror in a court called an assize.

Auger Maker: produced augers which were a type of hand operated drill. The carpenter would operate the auger via a crosswise fitted handle, which required both hands to turn in order to drill holes in wood.

Copyright: Jane Hewitt. This dictionary is authorised for use on www.familyresearcher.co.uk only.

Aulnager: alternate spelling of Alnagewr, an official who inspected the quality and measures of woollen goods for retail.

Aurifaber: a Goldsmith, specialised in working gold and precious metals.

Avenator: according to many, many online lists this is a merchant who sold hay and other forage, presumably for animal feed. Have yet to confirm this.

Avener: an Army Officer under the Master of Horse, in charge of obtaining oats for the stables and managing the accounts.

Avowry: an Advocate who represents another in legal matters, or a Lord of the Manor.

Axel Tree Maker: manufactured axles for use on carts and wagons.

Axel Turner: another term for an Axel Tree Maker

This dictionary is my own work, and copyright Jane Hewitt. I sometimes find unauthorised (i.e. stolen) copies of my website content appearing on other people's websites. If you should read a group of identical glossary definitions elsewhere on the web, consider whether such sites are reputable or not.

	The Armourer and His Craft from the XIth to the XVIth Century by Charles Ffoulkes
	This classic book by Charles Ffoulkes is a piece of history in itself. An interesting read, it gives historical information about the armourer's craft.

Further information