Meet the Middle Ages
BackRich and poor craftsmen
There were large differences between the craftsmen. Some of them were influential in society and many were rich, whilst other craftsmen lived in poverty. It was considered better to be a merchant than a craftsman. Craftsmen were rarely members of the Town Council.
The goldsmiths were often the richest craftsmen. They made gold and silver jewellery and ornaments for churches.
Among the poorer craftsmen were the blacksmiths and tanners. They used coarse tools and did dirty and smelly work.