The Formation and Decay of Craft Gilds

Wm. Cunningham

doi:10.2307/3677852

The Formation and Decay of Craft Gilds

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 February 2009

Wm. Cunningham

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There are many circumstances which tend to invest the Craft Gilds of the Middle Ages with interest. There is much that is picturesque in the hints which we get of the liveried gatherings in the great halls: there is something that appears exemplary too in the excellent work which was sometimes done, and in the relations which seem to have subsisted between fellow-workers. But apart from all that attracts our fancy and, rightly or wrongly, moves our admiration, there are interesting problems in tracing their origin or understanding how they worked. On this last point, indeed, no little light is thrown by the analogy of similar institutions in India at the present day. Whether in the amorphous condition in which they exist all over that country, or in the more crystallised and definite forms in which one finds them in Guzerat, there is a curious parallel—notwithstanding the many contrasts—between the one country and the other. The analogy would, doubtless, be most misleading, if we relied on present-day experience there for an explanation of the decay of the gilds of former times, but as a picture which may enable us to understand how the system is worked, and how industry developed in these strange conditions and with so much minute legislation, they are invaluable. But even with this help the difficulties in understanding their history are sufficiently great to render the inquiry as to the formation and decay of craft gilds distinctly interesting, though it is not easy to sum up results in a way that shall be accurate, brief, and clear.

Type: Research Article
Information: Transactions of the Royal Historical Society , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , September 1886 , pp. 371 - 392

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3677852 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © Royal Historical Society 1886

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^{page 371 note 1} Gazetteer of Baroda.

^{page 372 note 1} 12 Henry VII. c. 6.

^{page 374 note 1} Hunter's, Hallamshire (by Gatty), p. 150Google Scholar.

^{page 374 note 2} Liver Cust. ii. 535.

^{page 375 note 1} Liber Cust. ii. 540. Compare also Riley, Memorials, for articles of Armourers, p. 145; Pelterers, p. 153; Girdlers, pp. 154, 216; Tapicers, p. 179; Cullers, p.217; Spurriers, p. 226; Whittawyers, p. 232; Heaumers, p. 237; Hatters p. 239; Pewterers, p. 241; Glovers, p. 245; Shearmen, p. 247; Furbishers, p. 258; Braclers, p. 277; Masons, p. 280; Farriers, p. 292; Waxchandlers, p. 300; Plumbers, p. 321; Bowyers, p. 348 (a peculiar full account); Haberdashers, p. 354; Blacksmiths, p. 361; Scriveners, p. 372 (full account); Barbers, pp. 394, 606 (full accounts); Founders, p. 512; Fletchers, p. 556; Limners, p. 557; Force-makers, p. 563; Brasiers, p. 625; Stringers, p. 634. I have thought it worth while to enumerate these cases; not one gives any indication of the oppression which is commonly spoken of, and the accounts of all confirm, or at least harmonise with, the statements made above.

^{page 376 note 1} See additions made for Cordwainers, Riley, , Memorials, 391Google Scholar; for Cutlers, Ibid. 439; Blacksmiths, Ibid. 568.

^{page 376 note 2} Liber Albus, i. 527.

^{page 376 note 3} Ibid. 494.

^{page 376 note 4} Smith, Toulmin, English Gilds, 334Google Scholar.

^{page 377 note 1} Compare, in regard to false halts, Riley, , Memorials, 90Google Scholar; brass pots, Ibid. 118.

^{page 377 note 2} In ther cases they kept matters in their own hands, and proceeded against men who attempted to regulate their own trade without their sanction, as in the case of Hugh the Limeburner, Riley's, Memorials, 174Google Scholar; and the Taverners, 182. Compare also the ‘Malignity of the Bankers,’ Ibid. p. 180; the commands given the Dyers, 309.

^{page 377 note 3} Beverlac, i. 112.

^{page 377 note 4} Madox, , Firma Burgi, 192Google Scholar.

^{page 377 note 5} English Gilds, 299.

^{page 379 note 1} Ochenkowsky, , England's wirhschaft. Entwick. 63Google Scholar.

^{page 380 note 1} Liber. Cust. ii. 540.

^{page 380 note 2} ‘The craft gilds, whose rise the old city authorities had endeavoured till now, also here [i.e. in England] to suppress obtained the victory about the same time as their brethren on the Continent did. A more detailed account of the transition is wanting. Nevertheless, in England there is nothing to be found of the severe struggles of the German and Belgian companies against the patriciate.’ Brentano, History and Development of Gilds, 48.

^{page 381 note 1} Compare my Politics and Economics, 97.

^{page 381 note 2} The trust occasionally reposed in apprentices may be gathered from the story of a runaway apprentice in Riley's, Memorials, 629Google Scholar.

^{page 382 note 1} From MS. in Library Trin. Coll. Camb., marked Oo, 2, 53.

^{page 382 note 2} Riley's, Memorials, 542, 609Google Scholar.

^{page 382 note 3} Brentano, , History and Development, 111Google Scholar. In 1350 and 1387 civic regulations were made regarding wages which appear to have been in the interest of the public against the gild, not of masters in the craft as against servants. On the other hand, employing shearmen complained of the journeymen's demand in 1350. Riley's, Memorials, 250Google Scholar. Compare also the journeymen Cordwainers, Ibid, 495; Saddlers, 542.

^{page 383 note 1} Riley, , Memorials, 542Google Scholar.

^{page 383 note 2} The ordinance of the Braelers (makers of braces) for the sick journeymen may be noted. Riley, , Memorials, 277Google Scholar.

^{page 383 note 3} Journeymen tailors caused a scandal by associating themselves together and occupying houses apart. Riley, , Memorials, 609Google Scholar. This incident gives the fullest light on the position of journeymen.

^{page 383 note 4} English Gilds, 180. Riley, , Memorials, 217, 278, 547Google Scholar.

^{page 383 note 5} Brentano, , History, 68Google Scholar.

^{page 383 note 6} Ibid. 86.

^{page 384 note 1} Riley, , Memorials, 403, 559, 667Google Scholar.

^{page 384 note 2} Cobblers and Cordwainers, Riley, , Memorials, 539, 570, 571Google Scholar; Joiners and Saddlers, Ibid. 156; Pelterers and Lawyers, Ibid. 330; Leathersellers and Dyers, 365; Bladesmiths and Cutlers, 568.

^{page 384 note 3} Rolls of Parliament, iv. 507.

^{page 384 note 4} Henry VI. c. 6, 7.

^{page 385 note 1} Sermons and Declarations against Popish Ceremonies, in Pauli's Drei volkswirthsckaftliche Denkschriften, 48.

^{page 385 note 2} 19 Henry VII. 7.

^{page 385 note 3} 1 Henry VII. c. 5; 19 Henry VII. c. 19.

^{page 385 note 4} 11 Henry VII. c. 19.

^{page 385 note 5} 19 Henry VII. c. 6; 4 Henry VIII. c. 7.

^{page 385 note 6} 19 Henry VII. c. 21. Although women had a recognised position in many gilds, I have not seen any instance of a craft gild consisting of women.

^{page 385 note 7} 11 Henry VII. c. 11; 12 Henry VII. c. 1; 5 Henry VIII. c. 4, and especially 26 Henry VIII. c. 8, 9, 16.

^{page 385 note 8} On Gild abuses, see 28 Henry VIII. c. 5, § 6; 22 Henry VIII. c. 4. On Cordwainers, 24 Henry VIII. c. 6; Pewterers, 19 Henry VIII. c. 7; Coopers, 24 Henry VIII. c. 4.

^{page 386 note 1} Compare 27 Henry VIII. c. 1: Statutes for the rebuilding of houses and repairing towns.

^{page 386 note 2} 25 Henry VIII. c. 18.

^{page 387 note 1} 21 Henry VIII. c. 12.

^{page 387 note 2} 34 & 35 Henry VIII. c. 10.

^{page 387 note 3} c. 4.

^{page 388 note 1} 3 Edward IV. c. 4; 22 Edward IV. c. 3; 1 Richard III. c. 12; 1 Henry VII. c. 9.

^{page 388 note 2} 13 Elizabeth c. 19.

^{page 389 note 1} The aulnagers in the woollen trade.

^{page 389 note 2} Tanners, 5 Elizabeth c. 8.

^{page 389 note 3} Goldsmiths, 18 Elizabeth c. 15; Shrewsbury Drapers, 8 Elizabeth, c. 7; Haberdashers, 8 Elizabeth c. 11.

^{page 389 note 4} Herbert, , Livery Companies, 174Google Scholar.

^{page 390 note 1} Compare the statute about waxmakers and their trade-marks, 23 Elizabeth, c. 8.

^{page 390 note 2} 2 James I. c. 24.

^{page 390 note 3} Macpherson's, Annals, iii, 141Google Scholar.

^{page 390 note 4} De Witt, xi.

^{page 391 note 1} 22 & 23 Charles II. c. 8.

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