Medieval Towns/Craftsmen and Guilds

Datei:Meistertafel der Ulmer Schneider 1662.jpg

Guilds in the Middle Ages were associations or groups of craftsmen.

All craftsmen of a specific profession organized in a group such as the candlemaker's guild or the blacksmith's guild.

They played an important role in society. They provided a way for trade skills to be learned and passed down from generation to generation. The guild protected members in many ways. Members were supported by the guild if they came onto hard times or were sick. They controlled working conditions and hours of work.

The guild also prevented non-guild members from selling cheaper products.

Interactive Exercises

In each guild in the Middle Ages there were very well defined positions.
Apprentices usually were boys in their teens who signed up with a master for around 7 years. They would work hard for the master during this time in exchange for learning the craft plus food, clothing, and shelter.
Once the apprenticeship was complete, he became a Journeyman. As a Journeyman, he would still work for a master, but would earn wages for his work.
The highest position of the craft was the Master. To become a Master, a Journeyman would need the approval of the guild. He would have to prove his skill in a masterpiece. Once a Master, he could open his own shop and train apprentices.

Master and Servant

1. Parent brings a boy to a master.
2. Parents pay the master to house and feed the boy.
3. He is taken in as an apprentice.
4. The young man trains for seven years.
5. The young man becomes a journeyman.
6. Now he receives wages, which means he's getting paid for his work.
7. The guild approves his masterpiece.
8. Now he can open his own shop.

Guilds

Do you know these medieval crafts?

Match the pairs.

Datei:Azulejo oficios-Alfarero en el torno.png	potter making pots and bowls
Datei:Azulejo oficios-Herrero7.png	blacksmith
Datei:Azulejo oficios-Guarnicionero.jpg	carpenter making furniture
Datei:Azulejo oficios-Mimbrero30.png	weaver weaving baskets
Datei:Azulejo oficios-Tonelero.jpg	cooper making barrels and buckets
Datei:Azulejo oficios-Zapatero34.png	shoemaker
Datei:Azulejo oficios-Panadero32.png	baker

Coat of Arms

All Guilds had their own coat of arms:

Match the pairs.

Datei:Zunftwappen-Fischer.svg	fisher
Datei:Zunftwappen-Sattler.svg	saddler making saddles for horses
Datei:Zunftwappen-Kürschner.svg	furrier and skinner working with animal skins and hides
Datei:Zunftwappen-Schlachter.svg	slaughter
Datei:Zunftwappen-Maurer.svg	mason bricklayer
Datei:Zunftwappen-Tuchmacher.svg	taylor making cloth and sewing it into clothing
Datei:Zunftwappen-Schuster.svg	shoemaker
Datei:Zunftwappen-Zimmerer.svg	carpenter
Datei:Zunftwappen-Müller.svg	miller grinding corn into flour
Datei:Zunftwappen-Bäcker.svg	baker

1. Development
2. Markets and Town Fairs
3. Craftsmen and Guilds
4. The Black Death

Weblinks

• 14 Medieval Guilds That You Never Knew Existed