Stonemason

Stonemasons played a crucial role in the construction of European court residences during the 17th and 18th centuries. Their expertise encompassed various techniques including quarrying, cutting, carving, and laying stone. The craft required extensive training and apprenticeship, often lasting several years. Master stonemasons were highly respected members of the building trades, commanding higher wages than common laborers. Historical records from Hampton Court indicate that stonemasons earned less than carpenters in 1704, though both trades were essential to major construction projects. The work involved close collaboration with other craftsmen including carvers, plasterers, and ironworkers.