Guilds

Guilds were formed by the middle class, who were merchants and artisans.

The first guild to form was the merchant guild. They began to pass laws and collet taxes from the town they were stationed in. They used the money from their taxes for public works such as paving roads.

In retaliation artisans made guilds for each individual trade. For example there were weaving, baking, and goldsmith guilds.

First a child at the age of 7 would become an apprentice to a guild master for seven years.

Most apprentices became journeymen, or payed workers.

If you were related to a Guild Member then you could become one.

Oftentimes women were in the same artisan guilds as their Husbands or Fathers. Sometimes if their husbands or fathers died they could become the guild master. Also women dominated in certain trades and even had their own Guilds