Guilds were associations of artisans and merchants during medieval Europe. They regulated the activities of their members and provided them with mutual aid and support. Each guild specialized in a particular craft or trade, and its members were required to undergo a period of apprenticeship and training before becoming full members. Once they became master craftsmen or merchants, they could set up their own businesses.
Examples of guilds:
- The Masons Guild, which was responsible for the construction of many of the great cathedrals and churches of Europe
- The Weavers Guild, which produced cloth and other textiles
- The Goldsmiths Guild, which made jewelry, armor, and other metal objects
- The Merchants Guild, which facilitated trade between different regions and countries