Smith: Difference between revisions
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A '''smith''' was an individual who undertakes a [[trade]] involving the construction of [[metal]] objects. |
A '''smith''' was an individual who undertakes a [[trade]] involving the construction of [[metal]] objects. |
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A smith was a common trade or occupation and would contribute to the prevalence of the surname ''Smith''. |
A smith was a common trade or [[occupation]] and would contribute to the prevalence of the [[surname]] ''Smith''. |
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Examples of smiths include: |
Examples of smiths include: |
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* Arrowsmith - making heads for [[arrow]]s |
* Arrowsmith - making heads for [[arrow]]s |
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* Armoursmith - making [[armour]] |
* Armoursmith - making [[armour]] |
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* Blacksmith - working in [[iron]] and [[steel]] making common objects such as [[knife|knives]], [[nails]], [[tool]]s, hinges. etc. |
* [[Blacksmith]] - working in [[iron]] and [[steel]] making common objects such as [[knife|knives]], [[nails]], [[tool]]s, hinges. etc. |
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* Goldsmith - working in [[gold]] and [[silver]] |
* Goldsmith - working in [[gold]] and [[silver]] |
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* Locksmith - making [[lock]]s |
* Locksmith - making [[lock]]s |
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* Swordsmith - making [[sword]]s |
* Swordsmith - making [[sword]]s |
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The smith was an integral part of Euro-medieval life, and various |
The smith was an integral part of [[Europe|Euro]]-[[medieval]] life, and various [[legend]]s grew up, regarding, among others, [[Wayland]] (whose name was attached to a prehistoric barrow [[grave]] on the Wiltshire Downs in southern [[England]]). Wayland originated with the [[Saxon]]s, but he became seen, rather than as a [[god]], as an [[elf]], who could therefore be hired to do work for mortals. So a [[horse]] that needed [[horseshoe|shoeing]] would be left at a ritual site, with one or two [[copper]] [[coin|pennies]] as payment, overnight, in the faith that, by morning the necessary work would have been done. |
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[[category:occupation (medieval)]] |
[[category:occupation (medieval)]] |
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Revision as of 17:09, 6 September 2006
A smith was an individual who undertakes a trade involving the construction of metal objects.
A smith was a common trade or occupation and would contribute to the prevalence of the surname Smith.
Examples of smiths include:
- Arrowsmith - making heads for arrows
- Armoursmith - making armour
- Blacksmith - working in iron and steel making common objects such as knives, nails, tools, hinges. etc.
- Goldsmith - working in gold and silver
- Locksmith - making locks
- Swordsmith - making swords
The smith was an integral part of Euro-medieval life, and various legends grew up, regarding, among others, Wayland (whose name was attached to a prehistoric barrow grave on the Wiltshire Downs in southern England). Wayland originated with the Saxons, but he became seen, rather than as a god, as an elf, who could therefore be hired to do work for mortals. So a horse that needed shoeing would be left at a ritual site, with one or two copper pennies as payment, overnight, in the faith that, by morning the necessary work would have been done.
