Late Medieval PeriodAll the views shown on this page are taken from a remarkable book published around 1600. The illustrations were created by a craftsman who honed his skills engraving elaborate swords for the rich and powerful. The scenes offer a rare display of many details of medieval business. Lords still lived on their manors, tended by serfs, but businessmen in the city were busy running operations that demanded a much wider range of skills. |
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Larger Castings Metal-casting technology has advanced to the point where very large cannon barrels are possible, but there are still many failed attempts. Note the furnace at the rear of the view, where pieces of broken barrels are being re-melted, to try again. | |||||||||
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Solitary Endeavor In this somewhat fanciful depiction, the inventor is shown conducting calculations right in his own bedchamber. | |||||||||
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Busy Operation This view shows a shop full of furnaces, and unusually-shaped vessels used to collect the liquids being distilled. Open fires are visible in three different locations. The older gentleman seated in the chair is wearing reading glasses (lower left). | |||||||||
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Open Storefront The focus of this view is the horse, and saddle. Less visible are the many operations needed to form the saddle, which is the most complex form of leatherwork. Note that a metal forge is one of the tools required. | |||||||||
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Chinese Technology By this time, enterprising medieval businessmen have finally learned how to raise silkworms, valued for the silk they spin into their cocoons. This process was first developed in China, where the technical secrets were jealously concealed for centuries. | |||||||||