Job Titles

Jobs? I'm a noble, I don't work!

This is a good starting point if you like to make up non-player characters who would actually do something besides provide dramatic interest. For example, I usually try to roleplay a herald bring my character's messages to people, especially when my character is in another region.

The titles for these jobs are highly dependant on historical setting. Obviously, in medieval China you wouldn't find anyone called a "Sherrif," since there wouldn't be the English fascination with shire-law. However, you would find someone of equivalent duties and rank. These are just the general versions I found in a writing fantasy book, but there are many more.

Jobs

• Sergeant - In place of a noble would command or help command a company
• Captain - In place of a noble, would command a company, or any sized or special unit (i.e Captain of the Guard)
• Bailiff/Steward/Constable/Seneschal - Whoever oversees a manor, household, town, village or even city, sometimes also the one who leads the military there whenever the ranking noble is not around
• Bondman - Serfs, bound to the land. Usually not people the nobles talk much with.
• Reeve - the main manorial official underneath a bailiff; a serf
• Hayward - a manorial official in charge of the fences or walls
• Woodward - a manorial official in charge of the lord's wooded areas
• Apprentice - indentured servant in a particular trade (i.e apprentice armorer)
• Armorer - makes armor; helmets, shields, etc. Probably also a blacksmith, but more specialized.
• Arrow-smith - makes the arrow heads
• Avener - in charge of a stable
• Blacksmith - general worker of metal
• Burgher - a citizen, usually free, middle class (i.e not a serf)
• Clothier - makes clothes
• Cooper - makes and repairs barrels
• Cordwainer - makes shoes
• Cobbler - repairs shoes
• Cutler - makes knives
• Fletcher - makes and trades bows and arrows
• Groom - a stablehand
• Herald/Messenger/Envoy/Rider/Courier/Emisary - they didn't have telephones or internet back then.
• Physician - tended to the sick; academy-educated, healers for the nobility
• Surgeons - tended to the sick; bleeding, teeth pulling, lower paid, healers for the common man and common ailment
• Prefect - governs or oversees a manor, village, town or city
• Scribe - clerk, secretary. someone who could read. (not necessarily common)
• Sheriff - oversees local (rural) courts and administers local laws
• Squire - a servant, usually noble birth, assists a knight (i.e helps put on armor, carries the banner)
• Tavernkeeper - keeps a tavern. Possibly the most common and well-known job in all roleplaying history.
• Vintner - makes wine.

External References

• http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castle32.htm
• http://members.tripod.com/~hkcarms/occ.html