The influence and development of English gilds

by Francis Aidan Hibbert

---

INDEX.

Abbey at Shrewsbury, [11], [31], [60]
Aberystwith, [26]
Adventurers, Merchant, of Exeter, [84], [87]
Aliens not to be taken as apprentices, [64], [82]
Almshouses, [73], [109], [137]
Altrincham, [26]
Amalgamation natural in Middle Ages, [31]
and at all times, [140]
Anager, [83]
Andover, [25], [35], [147]
Anglo-Saxons, gilds of, [12]
municipal organisation of, [13]
Apothecary, [28]
Apprentices, [39], [40], [46], [47], [52], [64], [66], [81]
Arthur, son of Henry VII., [79]
Arundel, Earl of, [27]
Ashton, Thomas, [79], [119]
Assistants, [5], [41]
Assize of Arms, [11]
Axbridge, [27], [85]
Bailiffs, assist gilds, [37]
assisted by gilds, [36]
supervise gilds, [37], [40]
Bakers, [28], [59]
Bala, [27]
Bamborough, [27]
Barbers, [28], [45], [58-9], [62], [83-4], [87], [89], [100], [102], [130]
Bargains, common, [14], [15]
Barnstaple, [27]
Bath, [25]
Beadle, duties of, [42]
Beaumaris, [27]
Bedesmen, [63]
Bedford, [25]
Benefit Clubs, [106], [110]
Berwick on Tweed, [26]
Beverley, [24], [115]
Birmingham, [111], [129]
Bishops’ Castle, [147]
Black Death, [56]
Board of Trade, [141]
Bodmin, [25]
Borough, distinction between Merchant Gild and, [18], [19]
rise and development of, [10]
incorporation of, [14]
position of Merchant Gild in, [14], [16]
select body in, [19], [105]
classes of inhabitants, [147]
Boroughs, list of, possessing Merchant Gilds, [24-28]
Boston, [26]
Brasier, [53]
Brecknock, [147]
Brentano, Dr, [7], [9], [104], [105]

Bricks, revival of use of, [80]
Bricklayers, [118]
Bridgenorth, [26]
Bridgewater, [26]
Bristol, [25], [87], [111]
Bromhall, John, [153], [155]
Builder, [29]
Builth, [26]
Burford, [24]
Burgesses, [3]
charters granted to, [14]
small share in work of Parliament, [49]
Burgess-ship, qualifications of, [18], [106]
not identical with gildship, [18]
villains, women, and ecclesiastics excluded from, [18]
Burnet, [67]
Bury S. Edmund’s, [25], [147]
Butchers, [28], [57], [59]
Byt-fylling, [13]
Caerswys, [26]
Cambridge, [25], [56], [60], [74]
Camden, [79]
Canterbury, [12], [24], [147], [148], [150]
Cappers, [53]
Cardiff, [27]
Cardigan, [26], [69]
Carlisle, [25]
Carnarvon, [26]
Carpenters, [28], [59]
Carrier, [28]
Castle at Shrewsbury, [12]
Censers or Tensers, see [Shrewsbury]
Chantries, [32], [63], [67], [74], [86], [92]
Charity Commissioners, [141]
Charles II., [87]
Charters did not necessarily create the gilds, [55]
to burgesses, [14]
Chelmicke, Mr, [89]
Chepgauel, [18] n.
Chester, [25], [92], [119], [146], [147], [151]
Earl of, [25], [146]
Chesterfield, [27]
Chichester, [24]
Cirencester, [27]
Civil Services, [141]
Clerk, [28], [43]
Cloth Trade, [78-9]
cloth-workers, [29], [117]
cloth-merchant, [57]
Clun, [147]
Collier, [28]
Commissioners for plundering gilds, [73]
Commonwealth, [122]
Communa, [14], [16]
Companies, commercial, [6], [47], [86], [88], [98] et seq., [140]
Compositions, [37-8], [55] n.
Conflicts between Merchant Gild and Craft Gilds, [5], [9], [20], [21]
Congleton, [26]
Conquest, Norman, [10]
Continent, commerce with, [10]
merchant gilds of, [5], [9], [20], [21]
Conviviality, [13], [44], [111]
Conway, [26]
Cooks, [28], [59]
Coopers, [28]
Cordwainers, [35]
Corn-dealer, [28]
Cornwall, [149]
Earl of, [26], [27]
Corporations, municipal, [14], [16], [105], [109], [127]
Corps-de-métier, [8]
Corpus Christi, gilds and Feast, [33], [43], [59], [63], [115], [118]
Cottoners, [90]
County Towns, their former importance, [3], [122-3]

Coventry, [26], [115]
Craft Gilds, earliest mention of, [34]
become numerous, [35]
favoured by Merchant Gild, [20], [22], [34], [36]
take over work of Merchant Gild, [20], [35]
motives for forming, religious, [31-2]
social, [33]
commercial, [34]
police, [36]
incorporated, [38], [55]
at Shrewsbury, [10]
favoured by municipal authorities, [36], [38], [43]
composition of, [39]
officers, election unrestricted, [40]
wardens, [41]
assistants, [41]
stewards, [42]
beadle, [42]
searcher, [43], [46], [87]
clerk, [43]
treasurer, [43]
key-keeper, [44]
take oath before bailiffs, [37], [40]
meetings, [43]
importance of, commercial, [45]
social, [33], [34], [47-50]
constitutional, [48-9]
as benefit clubs, [50]
specially interesting at present time, [49-51]
development of trade introduces abuses, [56-7]
policy of reform, [58]
demoralisation, [65-7]
robbed by government, [67] et seq.
effects of this, [75] et seq.
reorganisation, [81], [84-97]
its effects on gilds, [82]
intimate connection of later companies with corporation, [85-6], [99], [105], [120-22]
they retain many of old gild characteristics, [87-8], [108-9]
though altered conditions make their work difficult, [88], [98]
and companies themselves are unsatisfactory, [98-102], [105]
they change to capitalist companies, [103-5]
from which journeymen are excluded, [106]
difficulties of reform, [107-8]
contemporaneous opinion of, at end of 18th century, [109-12]
destruction of, [136-137]
return to organisation partly on gild principles, [141-144]
Craftsman of middle ages, [49]
degraded by Reformation, [75]
Cranmer, [68]
Criccieth, [26]
Crispin and Crispianus, [118], [125]
Custumarii, [147]
Cyveiliog, Earl of, [26]
Davies, Thomas, [92]
Denbigh, [27]
Derby, [25]
Despenser, le, [27]
Devizes, [26]
Devon, [150]
Dixon, Canon, [71]
Domesday Book, [11], [148]
Doncaster, [28]
Dover, [12]
Drapers, [29], [32-3], [59], [73], [83-4], [90-7], [99], [101], [108-9], [126], [131]
Dugdale, [116]
Dunheved or Launceston, [26]
Dunwich, [25]
Durham, [25]
Bp of, [26]
Dutch, [82]
Dyer, [38]
Ecclesiastical Commissioners, [141]
Edward the Confessor, [12]
Edward I., [16], [26], [27], [35], [58]
his conquest of Wales, [2], [146], [154]
Edward II., [27]
Edward III., [27], [35], [59]
Edward IV., [28], [38], [42], [58], [59], [62], [65], [79], [82], [117], [154]
Edward VI.’s confiscation of gild property, [33], [62], [67], [118]

Elizabeth, [35], [76-79], [81], [84], [86], [117], [118]
Enclosures, [78]
“England the birthplace of Gilds”, [9]
English Gilds differ from continental, [5], [9], [20], [21]
Ethelred, [13]
Exchequer, [11]
Exeter, [84]
Fairs, freedom of trading at, [15], [146]
Family sometimes considered the germ of the Gild, [7]
Farquhar, [123]
Faversham, [81] n.
Feasts of Gilds, [13], [44], [111]
Fee Farm or firma burgi, [17], [18], [19], [22]
Fellmongers, [39]
Feltmakers, [99]
Fire-engine supported by gilds, [106], [137]
Fishmongers, [29], [59]
Flemings, [82]
Fletchers, [59]
Flint, [26]
Fordwich, [25]
“Foreigners,” Forinseci, [19], [20], [98], [110], [147]
Foresters, [68]
Four Men, [41-2], [104]
France, corps-de-métier in, [8]
French, [82]
French company, [94]
Freemen of companies, [39], [53], [106]
Friendly Societies, [68], [116], [139], [142]
Frith bot, [13]
Frith gilds, [8], [13], [46], [140]
Frizers, [90]
Fullers, [35]
Funerals attended by brethren, [43]
Fusion of races shown in Shrewsbury gild records, [16]
Gainsborough, [27]
Garnisher, [28]
George IV., [126]
German Merchants, [82]
Gildhall, at Dover, [12]
becomes town hall, [17-18]
Gild Merchant, see [Merchant Gild]
Gilds, see [Companies], [Craft Gilds], [Frith Gilds], [Merchant Gilds], [Monks’ Gilds], [Religious Gilds], [Yeoman Gilds]
differences between English and foreign, [5], [9], [20], [21]
universality of gild feeling, [7]
earliest gild statutes, [9]
Glanvill, [17]
Gloucester, [25]
Earl of, [24]
Glovers, [28], [39], [59], [83], [87], [101], [118]
Godiva, [116]
Goldsmith, [28], [53], [109]
Grammar Schools, [74]
Grampound, [27]
Grantham, [28]
Great Yarmouth, see [Yarmouth]
Greeks, gilds among, [7]
Griffith, Earl of Cyveiliog, [26]
Grimsby, [151]
Grocers, [109], [131]
Groom, [28]
Guildford, [26]
Haberdashers, [100]
Halls of Gilds, see [Gild Hall], [42], [44]
Hansarii, [147]
Harlech, [26]
Harper, [29]

Harrison, [78], [80]
Hart, Mr, [134]
Hartlepool, [26]
Haverfordwest, [25]
Hawkers, [29]
repressed by companies, [130]
Hedon, [27]
Helston, [25]
Henley-on-Thames, [27], [147]
Henry I., [10],

[11], [14], [24-34]
Henry II., [10], [11], [14], [17], [25], [146]
Henry III., [26], [146]
Henry IV., [2], [27], [59], [65], [150]
Henry V., [27]
Henry VI., [28], [57], [58], [59], [62], [66], [155]
Henry VII., [65], [66], [79]
Henry VIII., [66], [67], [73], [79], [118], [150]
Henry de Lacy, [26]
Hereford, [25]
Historical attitude essential in studying history of gilds, [44]
Hope, [27]
Hugh le Despenser, [27]
Huntingdon, [35]
Incorporation, municipal, [14], [16]
Indentures of apprenticeship, [46], [52], [64]
Infirmary, [109]
Inns of Court, [119]
Intrants, [148]
Intruders and Interlopers, [89], [98]
cf. also [Foreigners]
Ipswich, [18], [25]
Irish not to be taken as apprentices, [82]
Iron Trade, [78]
Ironmongers, [53], [109]
James I., [84], [95]
Jews, [78]
John, [14], [18], [25]
Journeymen, [39], [40], [106]
Judge, a member of Merchant Gild, [29]
Justices Itinerant, [11]
Justices of the peace, [81]
S. Katharine, [118], [150]
Kenfig, [27]
Kinaston, Mr, [95]
King’s Bench, [11]
Kingsland, [125], [127]
Kingston-on-Thames, [26]
Kirkham, [27]
Lampeter, [27]
Lancaster, [27]
Launceston, [26]
Leather-sellers, [39]
Leech, [29]
Leet assesses Tensers’ fines, [150]
loses its powers, [105], [150]
Leicester, [24], [147], [153]
Leve-lookers or leave-lookers, [151], [152]
Lever, Thomas, [74]
Lewes, [24]
Lincoln, [25], [35], [146], [147]
Liskeard, [26]
Liverpool, [111]
Livery, [43], [65]
Llanfyllin, [27]
Llantrissaint, [27]
Lloyd, John, [80]
Local Government Board, [141]
Local history, value of, [10]
Local life, always varied in England, [1]
Locksmith, [29]

London, [111]
its “laws”, [13]
its Anglo-Saxon Gilds, [12]
its Craft Gilds, [35]
its rivalry with provincial towns, [92], [124]
its modern pre-eminence, [1], [3], [123]
Lostwithiel, [26]
Ludlow, [28], [79], [109]
Lyme Regis, [26]
Lynn Regis, [25], [69]
Macclesfield, [26]
Machinery, introduction of, [4]
Magna Carta, [136]
Malmesbury, [25], [147]
Marches, of Wales, [2], [148]
Lords of, [2]
Court of, [2], [89]
President of, [2]
Markets, [13], [15]
Marlborough, [25]
S. Mary, Chantry in Church of, [53]
Mary, [118]
Mason, [29]
Masters, [40-41], [67], [75-76], [103], [105]
May Day, [5], [98], [120]
Mayor administers oath of admission, [99]
Mellent, Robert, Earl of, [24]
Mercers, [33], [44], [53], [59], [62], [63], [64], [73], [82], [83], [84], [88], [101], [103], [108], [126], [131], [135], [137], [138],
of York, [84]
Merchant, [14], [29], [38], [48]
Merchant Gilds, the chief difference between town and country, [12], [21]
originated to preserve peace, [12], [21]
compared with Frith Gilds, [13], [46]
trade regulations follow, [13]
earliest mention, [14]
royal authorisation, [14], [21]
at Shrewsbury, [10], [14]
effects, [16], [22]
chronological list of, [24-8]
relations with communa, [10], [16], [17], [19], [20], [22], [34]
with Craft Gilds, [20]
compared with Trades Unions, [46]
functions and privileges of, [14-16], [18-19], [21]
duties of gildsmen, [17]
comprised majority of householders, [15], [22]
all branches of trade, [16], [19], [30]
and professions, [18]
and women, [18]
and ecclesiastics, [18]
a rallying point for burgesses, [16], [22]
all burgesses are gildsmen, [16]
but all gildsmen are not burgesses, [18]
efforts towards municipal objects, [20]
gild hall becomes town hall, [17]
in later years delegates its mercantile functions to Craft Gilds, [20], [22], [30], [34], [36]
who sometimes in aggregate receive name of “Merchant Gild”, [35]
subsequent history, [35]
S. Michael, patron of Mercers’ Company, [53], [63]
Militia, national, [11]
Miller, [29], [59]
Monasteries, [8], [67], [77]
Monks’ Gilds, [8] (and n. 2), [59], [140]
Monks excluded from burgess-ship, [18]
Montgomery, [26]
Mornspeche, [43-44]
Mortmain Acts, [55] (n. 2), [61]
Much Wenlock, see [Wenlock]
Municipal Corporations Act, [127], [136], [156]
Municipalities, see [Boroughs]
Mynde, Abbot, [61]
Neath, [27], [147]

Nevin, [27]
Newborough, [27]
Newcastle-on-Tyne, [25]
Newcastle-under-Lyme, [26]
Newport (Salop), [26]
Newport, [27]
Newton, [27]
Norfolk, [69]
Norman Conquest, [10]
favours trade, [13], [21]
Norwich, [147]
Nottingham, [25]
Oaths, [39], [53]
Odd Fellows, [68]
see [Friendly Societies]
Oswestry, [27], [89]
rivalry with Shrewsbury, [91-96]
Overton, [26]
Oxford, [25], [35]
Pageants, [4], [33], [42], [63], [113-127]
Painters, [118]
Palmer, [29]
Parchment-makers, [39]
Paul’s Cross, [74]
Peasant Revolt, [56]
Pelterer, [29]
Pembroke, Earl of, [27]
Petersfield, [24]
Pewterer, [53]
Plasterer, [28]
Plymouth, [28]
Pointmaker, [39]
Police regulations aided by gilds, [65], [108]
Pontefract, [28]
Poor maintained by Craft Gilds, [33], [47], [80]
Portsmouth, [26]
Potter, [29]
Pre-emption, gildmen’s right of, [15]
royal right of, [145]
Preston, [25]
Priest, [29]
Privileges of gildsmen, [15], [17], [63], [64], [65]
Processions, see [Pageants]
Puritans, [120], [125]
Pursers, [39]
Pwllheli, [27]
Reading, [26], [35]
Recruiting Officer, [123-4]
Reformation, its shock to industry, [3], [6], [77]
to gilds, [67]
Reform movement fatal to companies, [6], [127]
and Show, [127]
Religion and trade, [5], [107], [125]
Religious Gilds, [60]
of Holy Trinity, [59]
of S. Winifred, [31], [59-62]
frequently connected with trade, [60]
Residence not requisite for membership of Merchant Gild, [18]
Restoration, [122], [125]
Rhuddlan, [27]
Richard I., [14], [16], [25]
Richard II., [27], [65], [82]
Richard III., [28]
Richard, Earl of Cornwall, [26]
Robert de Belesme, [11]
Rochester, [26]
Roger de Montgomery, [11], [12]
Romans, gilds of, [7]
Rowley’s Mansion, [80]
Rubens, [118]
Ruyton, [27]
Saddlers, [29], [59], [131]

Saffron Walden, [27]
Salisbury, [25]
Salopian Journal, [109]
Scarborough, [26]
Schools maintained by Gilds, [33]
Lancaster, [109]
Searcher’s duties, [43]
Severn, [123]
Shearmen, [5], [32], [59], [79], [83], [90], [103], [117], [120-2]
Shoemakers, [28], [32], [57], [58]
Shrewsbury, its strong individuality, [1]
its geographical position, [2]
early growth, [2], [3]
in Domesday, [11]
depressed by Conquest, [11]
taken by Henry II., [11]
later prosperity, [3]
streets and houses, [4]
its abbey, [11], [31], [60]
castle, [12]
peculiarities of its gild history, [5], [40-42]
its gild-records, [10], [16]
gilds, [4], [36], [58-9]
gild hall, [17]
gild-chantries, [32], [63], [74], [92]
religious gilds, [31], [59-62]
Merchant Gild confirmed, [14], [25], [146]
incorporation of Craft Gilds, [58-9]
early history of, [55-76]
Reformation changes, [77-97]
obtains monopoly of Welsh cloth trade, [3], [91-7]
rivalry with Coventry, [63]
in 16th century, [76], [79]
with Oswestry in the 17th century, [89-96]
with Chester, [92]
with London, [92], [124]
typical of the 17th century, [4], [122-5]
influence of machinery upon, [4]
later degeneracy of its companies, [98-112], [129-139]
Shrewsbury Show, [113-127], [137]
Tensers of, (Appendix [155]) and other towns, [147]
etymology, [149-150]
their fines, [150]
status, [152-154]
privileges, [147], [155]
relations with burgesses, [155]
later history, [155]
Skinners, [36], [38], [41], [59], [83], [89], [118]
Skins, seller of, [29]
Smiths, [84], [88], [118]
Social Gilds, see [Religious Gilds]
Socialists, [141]
Social life changed by newer conditions, [1], [123]
Somerset, [67]
Southampton, [25]
Stafford, Earl of, [27]
Stallingers, [148]
Stamford, [28], [115]
Steen, Widow, [101]
Stephen, [24]
Stewards, duties of, [42]
Stow, [120]
Strype, [74]
Suffolk, Earl of, [95]
Sunderland, [26]
Sword Cutler, [28]
Tailors, [28], [32], [36], [38], [41], [44], [57], [59], [83], [84], [88], [89], [101], [117]
Tanners, [28], [57], [59], [98-9]
Tavern-keeper, [29]
Tensers, see [Shrewsbury]
Teynterer, [29]
Thegn-right obtained by three voyages, [48]
Thurstan, Abp of York, [24]
Tolls paid by ungildated merchants, [146-156]
Totnes, [18] (n. 6), [25], [147]
Town bargains, common, [15]
Townhall, [17-18]
Towns, growth of, in twelfth century, [10],

[21]
differed little from country, [12], [21]
trade their raison-d’être, [13]
town gild, [13], [31]
struggle of classes in continental, [9]
but not in English, [9]
growth of select body, [19], [105]
Trade favoured by Conquest, [10], [13], [35]
expansion of, [20]
localisation of, [31]
Trade Unions, [47], [68], [141-144]
Treasurer of gild, [43]
Tudor, Owen, [79]
Universities, [119]
Usury, [33], [78], [80]
Villain enfranchised by joining Merchant Gild, [16], [22], [30]
Vintners, [59]
Vulcan, [118]
Wake, John, [27]
Wales, [2], [30], [146], [154]
incorporated with England, [79]
cloth trade of, [3], [89-97], [99]
Prince of, [27], [38], [79]
Wallingford, [25]
Walsall, [28]
Wardens’ Oath, [39]
Warenne, Reginald de, [24]
Warwick, [69]
Warwickshire, [116]
Weavers, [29], [32], [34], [44], [59], [131]
Weddings, [43]
Welshpool, [26]
Wenlock, [28]
Weymouth, [28]
Wigan, [147]
leve-lookers or gate-waiters at, [152]
William I., [10]
Wilton, [24]
Winchester, [16], [25], [35], [85], [147], [148], [155]
Windsor, [26]
S. Winifred, [31], [59], [61]
Witan, [13]
Wite, [60]
Women, members of gilds, [39], [40]
but not burgesses, [18]
Woodman, [29]
Woodstock, [28]
Wool-comber, [28]
wool-buyer, [29]
woollen-trade, [78]
Worcester, [26], [147], [149], [154], [155]
Working men, of middle ages, [49]
degraded by Reformation, [75]
and by subsequent policy, [106]
hopes for their future, [142-144]
Worsted Trade, [78]
Wrekin, [124]
Wycombe, [27]
Yarmouth, [25], [147]
Yeomen gilds, [5]
York, [24], [84], [115]
Abp Thurstan of, [24]

CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY C. J. CLAY, M.A. & SONS, AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

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Footnotes:

[1] I speak of the old edition. I have not had the advantage of using the newer work.