The Functions Of Guilds In Medieval England (1100-1400)

Since the beginning of the middle ages, the cities revived with the rising social productivity promoted by the progress of agriculture, the development of handicraft and commerce industry. The rise of cities laid a solid foundation for the emergence and development of guilds which played an indispensably important role in the economic,political, and social life of city.The economic functions of guilds showed firstly in its strict personnel admission not only the identity of citizenship and the restrict of geographical and industry, but also the promotion of its members. Secondly, guilds ruled the selling times, places and prices of products in commercial activities. Thirdly, the control of guilds in handicraft reflected on the quality standards and the production scale.The political function of guilds mainly displayed in the participation of municipal administration.Some guilds’ members not only occupied an important position in the city administration institutions, but sometimes acted as a mayor who have much bigger power in city managements. In addition, guilds had the power of constituting their own court to deal with matters related themselves, thus forming the part of the management city.The social functions of guilds represented in its belief and honor to the Christian saints, which counted as their patrons. Guild also held various ceremonies, in which processions and feasts were always two noticeable parts. Moreover,carrying out the social charity and relief were an important social activity for guilds, which promoted the development of philanthropy in medieval England.Anyhow, guilds played an important role in urban life of medieval England, despite its authoritarian and monopoly. As a whole,guild brought majorly positive effects in the development of the medieval cities, laying a foundation for the city-transition in the late middle ages and being the historical cornerstone of the origin of the England modernization.