guild

It was an organisation to safeguard interests, formed by craftsmen of various branches of industry. The rules were acknowledged by the city council or the secular or church landowner of the town in the 14-17th centuries. The number of regulations received from the king was continuously growing from the 17th century. The most important objects of guilds were: signet, charter of the guild, book of records, guild box and guild jug. The regulations of guilds defined the requirements of hiring and freeing apprentices, the duties of apprentices, sometimes their wages, and for example, providing a set of clothing for them when they were freed. Regarding young helpers there were regulations about the order of employment, working hours, wages and the conditions of termination. When someone wanted to join the guild, he had to pay a considerable amount of money and provide a banquet for the masters. The charter of guilds contained privileges, such as the prior right to sell at markets. Guilds had the right to invite the masters (of the same profession) from the neighbouring boroughs and villages into the organisation, these were the country masters. Generally, we can say that guilds formed the taste and demands of village people with their traditions and products.

TI