Roman/Anglo-Saxon jobs • Page 2
Stamina and a positive attitude are the qualities needed to take on this job. Work takes place all year round, in all weathers, and involves searching for bog iron in local wetlands.
Bog iron is often found where a mountain stream runs down through a peat bog. The stream carries dissolved iron but little oxygen. In these anaerobic conditions, certain bacteria concentrate the iron as part of their life processes. The iron 'grows' into pea-sized nodules, which can be harvested and smelted. Bog iron is a renewable natural resource – bogs can be harvested of their iron every 30 years or so – so you can be sure of having a job for life.
The work involves cutting and pulling back innumerable layers of peat. It is physically hard, frustrating and dull, and your fingers soon resemble prunes. However, you will be part of a much larger team responsible for the production of iron implements, from ships' rivets to battle swords, and some job satisfaction may be drawn from this.
Fancy the opportunity to travel? Then the life of a charcoal-maker may be for you. You need to follow woodcutters through the forests as they fell the trees to ensure that you have a plentiful supply of wood to turn into charcoal. Because the moisture in it has been eliminated, this will produce a much hotter fire than plain wood, and is particularly necessary in the forging of metals.
When you have obtained your wood, you'll need to devote yourself 100% to creating the charcoal. You must ensure that the fire doesn't burn too quickly and that any wind changes are blocked with hurdles. If the pile catches a draw from the wind, you could end up with a Saxon rocket engine and no charcoal.
Constant vigilance is necessary: as the charcoal-burning 'clamp' burns, it settles and the outer clay coating can crumble and let in air. Shifts at the clamp may last for up to 100 hours. A one-legged anti-sleeping stool is provided to assist you in this task.
When the Romans left Britain in the first decades of the 5th century, their coins were mainly hoarded against the terrifying insecurity and loneliness of those times. Now, however, centuries of unemployment for the British coin-maker (or 'moneyer') have ended with the inauguration of coin production by forward-thinking Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. This is led by Offa, the 8th-century king of Mercia, and his chief Kentish coin producers: Eoba, Babba and Udd.
Opportunities are arising at mints all over the country – by the year 1000 there are more than 70 of them. However, the work is hard and the conditions are difficult. No pay is offered, but successful candidates are given lodging and food.
If you've got light fingers, you should think again. Anyone considering the job is warned that the punishments for theft are severe even by Anglo-Saxon standards. Pilfer the silver and you'll lose not only your sly twitchy fingers but the rest of your hands as well. That's not the worst of it. Your hands will be nailed above the door of the mint for passers-by to admire. Of course, without any hands to work with and support yourself, you'll soon be history too.
The work of a Saxon monk offers a great deal of variety and, of course, the opportunity to devote your life to God. Tasks can include ploughing, farming, building, copying manuscripts, bread-making, cooking and cleaning, in addition to a highly ordered programme of prayer throughout the day and night.
Only males need apply. A uniform of an undyed woollen tunic with three-quarter-length sleeves and an attached hood or cowl is offered with the position. Your hair will also be cropped and your scalp enhanced by the fashionable and cool-looking bald patch, or tonsure. A small simple room – a cell – will be reserved for you to live in. However, no furniture is allowed.
You are required to shun the outside world. But if you have to have contact with it, you must follow the rule of St Benedict, written in the 6th century:
When brethren return from a journey, they should lie prostrate on the floor of the oratory and ask for the prayers of all for any faults that may have overtaken them on their journey, such as the sight or hearing of an evil thing or idle chatter.
If you are overtaken by faults, it is recommended that you imitate St Cuthbert (c. 635-87) and spend the day up to your neck in the sea as penance.
Viking warriors are required for extensive raids on England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Nautical skills, as well as battle experience, are sought. Ships typically contain 16 people, and conditions on board are cold, cramped and unhygienic. Poor weather while crossing the North Sea may increase the hardships on board. For example, your food supply may become water logged, and you may need to bail constantly to prevent sinking and, therefore, drowning.
Once land is in sight, you may need to transport your boat overland using a combination of brute force and wooden runners greased with rotten mashed fish. After this portage, you can then, tired and smelly, commence battle or indulge in a bout of pillaging.
