Guilds in the Middle Ages

PREFACE
This short book is the first part of a larger work by M. Georges Renard, the well-known French economic writer. The second part of the original deals with the modern Trade Union movement, and the part here reproduced is complete in itself.

CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction. By G. D. H. Cole ix
CHAPTER I
Origin and Geographical Distribution 1
CHAPTER II
The Organization of the Guilds 6
1. Various types.—2. The simple Guild and the complex Guild.—3. The half-democratic Guild.—4. The apprentice.—5. The compagnon.—6. Women in the Guilds.—7. The capitalistic Guild.
CHAPTER III
The Administration of the Guilds 27
CHAPTER IV
The Aims and Methods of the Guilds 32
1. Economic aim.—2. Social and moral aim; the fraternity.—3. Political aim. Classification of the Guilds; their internal disputes.[Pg viii]
CHAPTER V
The Merits and Defects of the Guild System 68
CHAPTER VI
External Causes of Decay 73
1. Change in economic conditions. The extension of the markets and large-scale production; division of producers into classes; compagnonnage.—2. Change in intellectual conditions. The Renaissance. The Reformation.—3. Change in political conditions. The central authority is driven to interfere: (a) through political interest; (b) through fiscal interest; (c) through public interest.
CHAPTER VII
Internal Causes of Decay 107
1. Division at the heart of the Guilds: (a) separation of the members; (b) subjection of inferiors to superiors.—2. Division between the Craft Guilds.—3. Vexatious regulations.
CHAPTER VIII
The Death of the Guilds 116
1. Their suppression in the different countries of Europe. They become the victims of: (a) “great” commerce and “great” industry; (b) the law of the reduction of effort; (c) science; (d) fashion; (e) new economic theories.—2. Action against them in England, France, and other European countries.—3. Survivals, and attempts to restore the Guilds.
AUTHOR’S BIBLIOGRAPHY 137
EDITOR’S BIBLIOGRAPHY 140