Craft Guilds

Craft guilds consisted of artisans and craftsmen in a particular branch of industry or commerce in a certain city or town. By joining together, these professionals were able to regulate competition among themselves and promote their own prosperity. They agreed on fundamental rules governing their trade, set quality standards, and policed their members’ professional practices. Guild officials investigated complaints regarding bad workmanship and unfair competition and imposed fines on those who violated the guild’s rules and standards.