Alex+Horgan

==I chose a //**Medieval Baker**// because I love to bake and I wanted to learn about baking during the Middle Ages. Bread was an essential part of the diet at this time. The bakers worked long and hard hours to provide for the people of the villages. It is interesting to learn about their trade and life.==

=**__About Barzon the Baker__**=

Occupation (job): **Master baker with my own bakery in the village**




=__A Day in the Life of a Medieval Baker__=

Welcome to the life of me, **Barzon**. My life is about the same each day except on Sunday. That’s my day of worship. I am just starting to get up along with the rest of my family. My sons and I get dressed in our work clothes (apron and clothes depending on the weather) while my wife and daughter cook the porridge for breakfast. Before breakfast we pray for a good business day.

After breakfast my sons and I ready the wagon to go to the Miller. Once it is ready, we leave for the mill. At the Miller we get our grain ground into flour. Then we go to the shop. On our way to the shop we stop by the well to get water for the bread. At the shop we strengthen the fire, mix the dough and then bake the bread. When we open shop, customers start coming in right away.

I am a //Master Baker// which is fancy for owner of the shop. I choose when to open following the Guild’s rules. A //Guild// has members that are all the bakers on the manor.

Oh, it is about time when the King’s servants come to pick up his bread. The King always gets my nicest bread which is the white bread. We also make rye bread which is for the peasants.

After that it is about lunch time so my sons and I break for lunch. We eat bread with something from our garden at home. My wife and daughter tend to our garden during the day. The bread sales slow after lunch. We work a little more and then start to clean up. We clean the counters that we use to bake, calm the fire and then close the shop. We get the wagon and go home.

At home we eat together as a family each night. We eat leftover bread, fish or vegetables from our garden. We prepare for bed by praying, fixing our straw beds and then falling asleep. That’s my basic day. I work in my shop with my two sons and other apprentices during the day. I see my whole family at the end of the day. I will get up early with my family again and do the same work tomorrow.

=__**I wish I were a Knight** __=

 As you know, I am Barzon the Baker. There are some advantages to my job, which is why I do love being a Master Baker. For example, I am always able to provide food for my family as a baker. In the winter it is always warm in the kitchen with the bread baking in the ovens. I do like owning my own shop. Business is always steady since bread is a necessity in the manor. I also really like that being a baker allows me to get to know all the people in the manor who come into my shop.

Some people think that being a baker is easy and fun, but it is very hard work. Being a baker means that I am in the Peasant Class. Life in this class is hard, and most peasants are poor. There are some disadvantages with my job. I need to get up very early in the morning, when it is still dark outside. My sons and I begin collecting firewood for the ovens and all the other ingredients needed for our long day of work. This is difficult, manual labor that keeps my family at task through the whole day.

Being a baker is important work, and has many rights and responsibilities.

__ RIGHTS __
 * ==The right to an unlimited supply of to firewood==
 * ==The right to have fires indoors or out==
 * ==The right to sell any variety of bread they choose==
 * ==The right to earn a living==
 * ==The right to marry==

__ RESPONSIBILITIES __
 * ==Pay taxes on time==
 * ==Feed the manor==
 * ==Follow laws of the manor==
 * ==Provide baked goods to the king and his nobles==
 * ==Member of the Bakers’ Guild==



Even though I am happy to be a baker, I do wish I were a knight. Knights are brave and strong fighters and enjoy many advantages over a baker. They are part of the Middle Class, and make more money than those in the Peasant Class. They are well respected by the people in the manor. They are given free armor and weaponry. There is even a possibility that they can live in the castle.

The life of the Knight is not always easy. There are disadvantages, like continuous training that is long and very difficult, while burdened with hot and heavy armor. A Knight must always follow the strict laws and demands of the king, including the possibility of going to war and dying in battle.

Being a knight is also a very important job in the manor, and has many rights and responsibilities.

__ RIGHTS __
 * ==The right to own and use a weapon==
 * ==The right to property==
 * ==The right to earn a living==
 * ==The right to marry==

__ RESPONSIBILITIES __
 * ==Code of Chivalry==
 * ==Protect the manor==
 * ==Stay in strong fighting condition==



= = = __**Modern Day Knight**__ =

My character Barzon the Baker has many qualities I admire. He is devoted to his family, his job, and his religion. He works long hard days so he can earn an income for his family. He cares about his family very much so his job is important to him. He owns the bakery and has many years of experience. Barzon is a strong man that has to do hard and heavy work. He pulls the wagon to the mill each morning. He carries water from the well to the bakery. He is focused on his job as a baker and has a routine each morning that he does without delay. Every Sunday is his day of worship and time with his family. At home he spends time gardening with his children.

My Modern Day Knight is my //grandfather// **Mr. Marini**! My grandfather is very caring and devoted to his family and his job. He started the family business of selling fresh produce, Christmas trees, and wreathes. He has been doing this for more than 50 years. He is very devoted to his business and cares a lot about it. He works with his children and grandchildren and teaches them the importance of working hard. He is able to stay focused on whatever he is doing. He is great at fixing anything from chairs to wreath machines (things used to make the Christmas wreathes). My grandfather is a great gardener and shares his love of gardening with us. He also had a job of selling products to farmers to help them grow their crops. From doing this he knows lots about plants and gardening. He is always staying active and he is able to do many things like coaching me in running. He is strong in his faith and has a great devotion to Brother Andre. My grandfather is definitely //My Modern Day Knight.//

My character Barzon and my grandfather are both hard workers. They take little time to do things for themselves. They use most of their time with family and business. I know my grandfather loves his work and puts in long hours even when he is tired or sick. As a baker, Barzon puts lots of thought into his work and has long hours of work too. Owning a bakery or a business involves lots of hard work. These two men show good qualities to continue their family traditions.