I don`t think it is an occupation rather his status, he was a "freeman", not a serf. He had tenure on land which, other than perhaps saying prayers had no obligations. Another meaning is when a group of people could act as surety for one another in the system of tithing when one tenth of what they produced was given to the local religeous order. It made sure (?) there was no cheating. I suppose they could collude and all cheat though.
So a freeman and/or one in a sort of syndicate to assure the correct tithes were rendered to the local monastery
Viktoria.
