* Hunting and trapping animals: While some furriers may have purchased pelts from hunters, some would have participated in hunting themselves, trapping animals for their fur.
* Preparing and cleaning the pelts: This involved removing the flesh and fat from the skins, stretching and drying them, and sometimes treating them with various chemicals to preserve them.
* Sewing and tailoring fur garments: Furriers were skilled in sewing and tailoring, creating a variety of garments for both men and women, including cloaks, robes, hats, collars, and linings.
* Trading and selling furs: They often had their own shops or stalls in market squares, selling furs directly to customers or to other merchants.
The role of a furrier was important in medieval society:
* Warmth and protection: Furs provided essential warmth and protection against the cold, especially in a time when heating was limited.
* Status and wealth: Certain furs, like ermine and sable, were very expensive and were associated with wealth and status. They were worn by nobles, clergy, and wealthy merchants as a symbol of their position in society.
* Trade and industry: The fur trade was a significant economic activity, bringing wealth to towns and cities, and providing employment for furriers, hunters, and traders.
In some regions, furriers formed guilds:
* Guilds: These organizations regulated the trade, set standards for quality, and protected the interests of their members.
Beyond clothing:
* Other uses: Fur was also used for other purposes, like trimming furniture, carpets, and even weapons.
The medieval furrier was a vital figure in the economy and social life of the period, providing both essential goods and a symbol of wealth and status.