History of Guilds

During the middle ages in Europe, working men of particular trades usually joined associations called craft guilds. These Guilds were forerunners of the modern Unions and served to regulated occupations and preserved a monopoly of crafts . Weavers were probably the first to organize. Quickly the goldsmiths, saddlers, fishmongers, bakers, dyers, glove makers, and other craftsmen saw the benefits of organization and formed their own separate fraternities.

In major cities such as Paris, London, and other large cities there were as many as 50 or more guilds by the 14th century. Although many of the guilds were authorized by the local government, some obtained their charter directly from the king. Guild Rules and Regulations Guild rules were strict. They decreed that nonmembers could not practice the trade within their territory.

In more liberal or sparser populated areas, a worker could become a member as soon as he showed the required degree of skill. In cliquey conservative areas, membership was difficult , or impossible, to obtain. Membership was passed on to sons or sons-in-law of members, or could be purchased from a retiring member at extreme cost.

Guilds regulated standards of quality in merchandise made and sold by their members, and penalties were invoked for inferior merchandise. The weavers' guild, as an example, required a certain number of threads to the inch in standard cloths. As in modern Unions, hours of labor were fixed, and night work or work on holidays was prohibited. At the beginning of the Industrial age these Guild's insistence on obsolete standards and processes became a severe handicap to modernization.

Guild's often provided for care of sick or needy members and members' widows and orphans and since the members of craft Guilds usually lived on the same street, the Guild served as a center of social interest for its members.

Qualifying for membership in a guild involved a long and underpaid (if paid at all)apprenticeship. The apprentice was bound out by their parents to an employer for approximately seven years. The employer committed to feed, clothe, and lodge the apprentice with his family above or behind the shop in exchange for the apprentices labor. When the apprenticeship was completed, the apprentice was free to pursue their craft and work for daily wages. Often though, they opted to travel from town to town seeking more knowledge of their craft. If they were frugal and saved their earnings, they might start a small shop and be accepted for guild membership and privileges.

While the craft guilds dominated small retail sales, the organizations called Merchant Guilds held a stalwart hold on the economy as many members of these guilds engaged in massive wholesale trade with distant places. The far reaching influence of one such group of merchant guilds provided the foundation for the powerful Hanseatic League that dominated the Baltic cities for centuries. The Merchant Guilds held considerable authority in city governments, and their guildhalls were designed to reflect the power of their position. Many of these impressive buildings still stand today. Another form of Guild that was seen in some European cities was designed for charitable and religious purposes.

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