Tag Archives: guilds

In the early Middle Ages, craftsmen served their most local village populations and were far less specialized than later. Smiths who worked iron tended to handle smelting and refining, and then made all of the basic iron implements like edges … Continue reading →

Boys entered the world of men most often by passing exams to become full guild members in their craft. They had spent their apprentice years serving in the shop, first with menial chores, and gradually with more skilled work. In … Continue reading →

Many medieval boys who learned basic reading and simple arithmetic soon left school to begin learning a trade. Entry into a trade was controlled by the local guild, forerunner of labor unions. Parents paid a significant fee to the craftsman … Continue reading →