jan 1, 1421 - brodster

Description:

This word is absent from the OED but it is the feminine form of ‘broder’ or ‘broderer’ and referred to an embroiderer. The following were all York men: 1376 <i>Gelisius Browdester</i>; 1389 <i>Willelmus Bedewyn, broudester</i>; 1421 <i>Johannes Aras, broudester </i>(SS96). In the first example the man’s occupation served as his by-name and his first name suggests that he was an alien: the embroiderer named Aras was probably working on tapestries. Note: 1396 <i>De 7s solutis Ricardo Browester pro factura et corio empto pr vj coddes in vestiario</i>, York (SS35/131).

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