Clerks or scribes (i.e. people who could read and write and used those skills in an official capacity, such as writing letters or legal documents).
Scriveners
Fact of the Day
The term 'freelance' derives from Walter Scott's description of Medieval mercenaries in his book 'Ivanhoe'.
Quote of the Day
"If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.
"
~ Cardinal Richelieu
On This Day
1297 Scottish hero William Wallace defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
1649 Cromwell's siege of the Irish town of Drogheda ended with the massacre of about 2,800 soldiers and at least 700 civilians.
1878 268 miners were killed in an explosion at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales.
1929 The state of Georgia executed Homer Simpson.
1978 Medical photographer Janet Parker became the last person in the world to die from smallpox after accidental exposure in a lab.
2001 The world stood still as it witnessed attacks on, and the destruction of, the World Trade Center. The attacks resulted in 2,996 immediate deaths.