The guild of master craftsmen

A guild is generally an association of craftspeople of a particular trade. The earliest guilds may have formed in India circa 3800 B.C.E., then again in Roman times and then Medieval Europe, where they boomed as an essential part of the economy.

The earliest ‘frith’ or ‘peace’ guilds were groups that came together for mutual protection following the breakdown of the kins, which were groups related by blood ties. The Roman collegium, collegia or corpus, were organised groups of merchants who specialised in a particular craft and whose membership was voluntary. In the 12th and 13th centuries guilds were related to associations of international trade and were powerful - but they lost their ascendancy with the rise of the craft guilds to which the word is most often associated today.

The earliest guilds in England were also merchant guilds, followed by the craft guilds. Which were associations of master craftsmen, journeymen, apprentices and other trades affiliated with a particular craft. Traditionally a master was an established craftsman of recognised abilities, who took on apprentices. Guilds were devoted largely to the regulation of their members’ crafts and endeavoured to support their members’ interests.

Today many guilds still exist, from butchers to tanners. Some are more active with more members than others. The guild of master craftsmen considers itself a modern day guild that includes a broad range of skill sets such as carpenters, builders, plasterers, plumbers and electricians, landscape designers, paving contractors, interior designers, bricklayers and flooring professionals. The Guild also represents traditional crafts such as cabinet makers, French polishers, furniture restorers, upholsterers, blacksmiths, thatchers, masons and stoneworkers.

The Guild of Master Craftsmen website states "Whatever their craft, skill or profession, members of The Guild of Master Craftsmen are thoroughly assessed to earn the right to be called master craftsmen. Once accepted, they are required to maintain The Guild’s aims and objectives in order to remain a member. In the event of any dispute. The Guild has a proven procedure for conciliation. This reassures consumers they can trust Guild members."

for further information visit: https://www.findacraftsman.com/about-us

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