Guilds Contribution in the Feudal Society - Research Paper Example

Guilds’ Contribution in the Feudal Society Affiliation] Introduction A feudal society refers to a group that was characterized by military and legal systems, which prevailed in medieval Europe. It prevailed from ninth to 15th century. The society was characterized by relationships that were derived from land holding, which was exchanged for labor or service. Nonetheless, the system did not result from a formal political system that was exercised by people during the Middle Ages. It depicts a group of military and legal duties that prevailed among warrior nobility, which revolved around three major ideologies, including fiefs, vassals, and lords. In general, a feudal society incorporated the obligations of the clergy, the nobility, and the peasantry who were governed by manorialism system. Various discussions have revolved around historians based on the role it played in the formation of the medieval society (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). This paper will explore the functions, roles, and rationale for the guild in the feudal society to determine whether it can be considered precursor to industrial manufacturing and as a basis for capital accumulation. Discussion Evolution of the Guild In the feudal society, some of the greatest contributors in the system were the guilds. The guilds played a vital role in the political and social structure of the feudal society. They were considered a vital element during the middle ages. The feudal system encouraged individuals to become members of the guild, since membership to the group would help them acquire a higher social position in the society. Individuals who became guild members realized several benefits unlike in the case of those who were not. Every guild either served as a type of merchant or crafts guild. The term guild originated from the word ‘gilden,’ which meant ‘paying.’ The guild members subscribed to their particular guilds in order to be considered active in the groups (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). The feudal society became dominant in Europe when the Roman Empire collapsed. The knights, barons as well as other nobility members taxed and took rent from peasants and serfs in their jurisdiction. To help them avoid excessive taxation, as well as avoid the various forms of tyrannical situations they were subjected to, ordinary men deemed it necessary to gather and give their opinions together since no individual had sufficient power to oppose the feudalistic system (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). Role of the Guilds in the Feudal Society The common people who lived in the Middle Ages favored guild membership because of the different benefits they received because of being members of the group. The members of the guilds that dominated the feudal society joined the group while seeking for protection against extreme rents and taxes, which could be imposed on them by knights, lords, and barons if they were not members of the group (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). Guilds also operated as a communistic system. To succeed in this role they worked together to ban different forms of advertisements and price cuts to avoid extreme rivalry from both merchants and craftsmen who dominated the industry at the time. Even though the guilds worked actively to help protect craftsmen and merchants, they also safeguarded the interests of consumers by imposing fair pricing. The members of guild also played a major role in making sure that products and services had the desired quality that would meet the needs of the consumers (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). Other than trading with fellow guild members, participating in trade with other artisans and merchants was considered an illegal practice and was banned from the society. In addition, guild members provided insurance in case a guild member became sick. The guilds also played a major role in offering property protection when one was travelling as well as other benefits. Furthermore, they represented employees by operation as unions. They made sure that the working conditions of employees were improved and that their working hours were considerate (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). To boost the social significance of guild membership, the members embarked on initiatives aimed at assisting the poor members of the society, especially those incurring funeral expenses. They also played a major role in taking care of disabled people and orphans in the middle ages. Other guild members encouraged people in the society to seek education in order to improve their livelihoods. In fact, the first school that was not based on religion in the feudal society was created and supported by guilds (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). In this case, although guilds were initially created to safeguard the interests of merchants and crafts men against excessive taxation and fiefdom, they also worked together to protect common clients and make sure they realized profits from their dealings. They also played a major role in improving living conditions of the people during the middle ages (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). Guilds’ Civic Duties in the Feudal Society In line with assisting ill community members, disabled people and orphans, guilds also played a major role in addressing various duties, including provision of military power to provide security from invaders, construction of walls and buildings to guard towns and villages, and policing streets and towns to eliminate criminal activities. The guilds were considered as highly moral based on their actions, and were responsible for eliminating any incidences of usury or fraud (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). Merchant Guilds in the Feudal Society ` Every merchant guild in the feudal society was accorded its own charter. A merchant member who dishonored provisions in the charter was regarded as dishonest. As such, a fine was imposed a fine for his actions to help eliminate such vice in the society. Any form of trade with non-guild members was considered illegal by merchant guilds. In addition to providing monetary assistance during sickness and general safety, merchant guilds provided protection to merchant travelers because of the dangers facing travel in the feudal society (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). The highly regarded merchant guild members were accorded a high position in the community. They were even elected to serve as town mayors. In addition, they played the role of a spokesperson and leader for all members of the guild. The members of merchant guilds created frequently created their unique hierarchy in a gradual manner, increasing the number of merchant guilds members. Although merchant guilds possessed more wealth and power compared to the crafts guild, the rising number of merchant guild members started creating problems for other members (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). As the merchant guilds’ members started growing, the members started imposing various restrictions and regulations to individual traders and craftsmen who benefited individual merchants. These regulations led to fixing of pries and own ruling towards individual consumers, traders, and craftsmen. As such, artisans deemed it necessary to develop their own guilds to help them safeguard their rights (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). Role of Craft Guilds in the Feudal Society In the feudal society, craft guilds were developed to help safeguard traders and craftsmen from the growing domination of merchant guilds. They also helped to safeguard craftsmen and serfs from extreme extortion and taxation by barons, knights, and other nobility members. Craft guilds were developed to address the needs of every trade or craft that prevailed in the feudal society. They comprised of painter guilds, mason guilds, baker guilds, tanner guilds, carpenter guilds, cobbler guilds, cloth maker guilds, apothecary guilds, and candle makers guilds. In order to help spread information and knowledge as well as sustain law and order, individuals in the feudal society supported teacher guilds creation (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). Moreover, the capital that they accumulated played an essential in improving the wellbeing of the members of the feudal society. Conclusion The guild played a major role in the feudal society. They influenced the structure of the political and social system in the country. Membership to guilds allowed an individual to attain a higher status in the society. The guilds helped to protect society members, particularly merchants and craftsmen from extreme rents and taxes. They also helped the needy people in the society to meet their daily needs through monetary and social support. Merchants and artisans formed guilds, which helped them to participate in fair trade and accumulate capital. They encouraged individuals who participated in any kind of artwork to contribute to the society. In this case, based on the diverse activities the guilds participated in, they managed to accumulate significant capital, which eventually resulted to the emergence of industrial manufacturing. Reference Heilbroner, R. L., & Milberg, W. (2012). The Making of Economic Society. New York: Pearson. Read More