Medieval Guilds

Many people probably think that kings were the most important people in Medieval England, but the most vital people were the backbone of society, the guilds. The guilds dominated their towns and came to control the sale of food, cloth, and other staple goods. The members of the guilds were divided into a hierarchy of masters, journeymen, and apprentices.

Guilds, gilds, or ,as the Romans like to call them, collegia, were a medieval association of craftsmen and merchants. Guilds developed in places where trade and crafts were centered. It was structured on the basis of the apprenticeship system and they also flourished in Europe between the 11th and 16th centuries. Guilds were created to preserve the rights and privileges of their members. Plus, while protecting their own members, they protected their consumers. Also, they were exclusive and regimented organizations. They helped form a very important part of the economic and social fabric. In Western Europe in the 13th century, guilds were the wealthiest and most influential citizens. They were “guilds of weavers, dyers, painters, metalsmiths, blacksmiths, and so on.” There are two different types of guilds: the merchant guilds and the craft guilds.

Merchants were known as the arti maggiori or “greater guilds”. They founded towns by obtaining a charter. They were probably the first to appear and constituted the nucleus for civic organization. “ Merchants formed organizations for mutual protection of their horses, wagons, and goods when traveling.” “The men might be local or long-distance traders, wholesale or retail sellers, and might deal with goods.” They controlled the purchase of raw wool, production, and sale of the processed fibre. Also, they were very successful in protecting and improving their economic and political