Hamburg, February 11, 1402
I was 12 years old when my father told me it was time to go and learn a craft. He himself has always been a farrier, but I didn’t feel so much for it. So, I had to go and look for a master craftsman to teach me a trade. Like many of that age, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my life. There was so much choice, and, I can tell you, that didn’t make it easy! Our city is bustling with crafters, and everyone makes different things. For two weeks I went to look at different craftsmen and I tried a number of arts.
I started with the metal workers. There are an awful lot of them. One works with bronze, the other with iron, depending on the purpose of their work. Because I find a lot of this work rough, I tried the locksmiths. Not only do they make and repair locks, but they also maintain and produce clocks, forge balustrades, iron chandeliers and sometimes even church doors! Still, this work was not what I was looking for, so I went to check other trades.
I decided that woodwork was worth investigating. Maybe I could work well with that. I sought out the carpenters who had started building a new structure near our house. It didn’t look difficult, but never before had I realized what knowledge and skill was required to perform this profession. I was allowed to help the master carpenter, but it soon became apparent that I did not have the technical insight to perform this work properly. The master carpenter made designs and drawings, read them and explained them to the other carpenters, and at the same time he also worked in construction and managed the rest. This was not for me. The master carpenter told me after a few days that I had better look for something else.
I did, and decided to give it another go. I have always been fascinated by the art of writing. I can’t read and write well. In our home there was no money for proper education, so I can only manage a bit in my native language. However, in our city there are more and more educated people who can write. The churches and the city council keep an extensive administration. Heidelberg has even got a university since the year of our Lord 1386! So, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the craft of parchment making. The master turned out to be very willing to teach me the intricacies of his trade. Fortunately, I already had some experience with leather tanning from my grandfather. Despite the growing demand for parchment, the craft proved to be carried out only modestly. Compared to the amount of people who worked in the textile industry, we were only a small group. However, I have never regretted my choice for this craft. Scarcity was not bad for our earnings, and I earn enough to support my family.
Last month my old master passed away, and I took over our leather trade from him as a master. With this loss we could use some extra hands. If you, or your son, are still looking for a craft, be welcome for an introduction to the profession!
Want to read more? Check: Cassagnes-Brouguet, S. Les métiers au Moyen Age, 2014.