Guilds existed to protect the rights and status of their members. There were merchant guilds and craft guilds. The merchant guilds were more concerned with mutual protection while travelling, while the craft guilds existed to train and license craftsmen. Being a member of a guild afforded a person increased status, and gained them support if they became sick or injured.
An apprentice could not marry until he had reached journeyman status, and could not trade independently of his sponsor until he had reached master status. Reaching master status was difficult and depended strongly on how well a journeyman was regarded by his master and his master’s peers.
Craft and trade guilds performed at religious festivals with play carts depicting Biblical stories associated with their trade. For example, the shipwrights would build a play cart of Noah’s Ark.
Keep up to date