Clockkeeper

However, the practice and its appearance throughout history fluctuated in centuries following the Middle Ages, and the necessity of an attendant to clockkeep remained long after the invention of the mechanical clock.

The clockkeeper was often paid considerable amounts of money to ensure the accuracy of a given clock or clocks, as the practice involved at least basic skills in mathematics and numbers in a time when education had not yet made a widespread appearance.

Clockkeepers were also expected to keep the clocks in good working order, and that they did not malfunction.

Time keeping in the latter case was important considering the various schedules of the Church, the complexity of its day, and the various daily, weekly, monthly and annual rituals it took part in.

During the period, most clocks needed rewinding at least twice a day, but, depending on the specifics of the employment, this may have differed.