BUSINESS LIFE 47

When a workman became a skilled artisan he
was called a journeyman,1 that is, a man who earned
a full day's pay for his work. The legal hours of
work were, from March to September, from 5 a.m.
to 7.30 p.m., with half an hour for breakfast, and
an hour and a half for dinner. Saturday was
universally a half-holiday. There were 44 working
weeks in a year and, consequent!}^ a total of holidays
and non-working times of eight weeks. The burden
of the very long hours was increased by the great
physical exertion required from men who had to
do much that is now done with the help of machinery.
The strain was not always unrecognised, for the
Minster workmen were allowed a period of rest
during the working day.

Some of the men engaged in the construction of
the Minster were not York men. The men employed
there were by exception under ecclesiastical control.
They were not governed by any of the city trade
guilds. The master-mason was in charge of the
whole of the building operations.

A list of trades in the city will suggest the kinds
of business there were. Some of the names will go
far to explain some modern surnames.

Wool Trades:—

Mercers.

Tapiters and couchers (makers of tapestry,
hangings, carpets, and coverlets).

Fullers.

Cardmakers,

I4ttesters {dyers, listers),

Shermen (shearmen).

Sledmen.

Dyers.

Weavers of woollen.

1 Cf. French journee.