View source for Smith

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 [[arrow]]s
* [[Armourer|Armoursmith]] - making [[armour]]
* [[Blacksmith]] - working in [[iron]] and [[steel]] making common objects such as [[knife|knives]], [[nails]], [[tool]]s, hinges. etc.
* Goldsmith - working in [[gold]] and [[silver]]
* Locksmith - making [[lock]]s
* Swordsmith - making [[sword]]s

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.

[[category:occupation (medieval)]]