What were guilds and why were they important?

Answer 1

Guilds were associations of craftsmen or merchants. They were established primarily to protect the interests of their members. As they protected members from competition, they also protected the customers from poor quality work by people who were not skilled, established standards for members and the work they produced, and provided a united approach to economic policies and politics.

The earliest medieval guilds may actually have been established during the time of the ancient Roman Empire. Guilds also developed in other places, and Anglo-Saxon guilds probably arose from a separate tradition. As the Middle Ages went on, more guilds were established, and they became more involved in politics. There were a number of towns and cities run by guilds, especially in Italy and parts of Germany. The political power of guilds probably increased the attractiveness of starting new guilds. Combinations of guilds, such as the Hanseatic League, eventually had a great deal of strength, with military and diplomatic power independent of any country.

The earliest universities in Western Europe appear to have been established as guilds of educators.

Answer 2

Guilds of merchants and craft workers were formed in medieval Europe so that their members could benefit from mutual aid, production standards could be maintained, competition was reduced and, by acting collectively, a certain political influence could be achieved

Answer 3

an association of artisans or merchants who oversee the practice of their craft in a particular town. The earliest types of guild were formed as confraternities of tradesmen. They were organized in a manner something between a professional association, trade union, a cartel, and a secret society. They gave a voice to people in an era dominated by rulers and aristocracies.

Answer 4

Guilds are business groups and they were important because they created a new middle class in medieval europe