The guilds of craftsmen

The first guilds of craftsmen appeared in Torun soon after it had received its charters. The first to set up their guilds were food craftsmen: bakers, butchers, as well as still merchants, and shoemakers, including tanners. Between 1235 and 1255 there were four guilds of craftsmen in the Old Town of Torun.

In 1259 a merchants house was built in the place where the western wing of the Old Town Hall is today. It was a one-floor building, which served as a cloth stall. It is at this time probably that the guild of cloth makers emerged. Soon afterwards (1274) the burghers of Torun acquired the right to build stalls and bread stalls. ^th century the cloth makers one. A guild was to protect the economic interest of its members. Guilds also controlled the quality of production as well as the education of craftsmen. Additionally, they also provided supplies for workshops. Moreover, guilds had the role of religious corporations and mutual aid organizations. Richer  guilds owned their  chapels or altars. Town authorities made guilds. In 1398 in the Old Town of Torun there were already 41 guilds, including for example leather makers, comb makers, needle makers, hatters, sausage makers, wheel makers, pot makers, blacksmiths, belt makers, bakers, brewers, linen makers, glove makers, butchers, saddle makers, shoemakers, glaziers, locksmiths, purse makers, and goldsmiths. Being a member of a guild started from apprenticeship. Approximately it lasted from 2 to 5 years. Master’s son was released from the lowest level of training. An apprentice didn’t get any pay for the period of training, however got bed and board.

Then, most probably, the guilds of linen craftsmen, furriers, shield makers, and leather workers emerged. The process of establishing guild structures in the New Town of Torun was similar. There the first to emerge were the guilds of butchers and bakers, and at the end of the 13^th century the cloth makers one. A guild was to protect the economic interest of its members. Guilds also controlled the quality of production as well as the education of craftsmen. Additionally, they also provided supplies for workshops. Moreover, guilds had the role of religious corporations and mutual aid organizations.

Richer  guilds owned their  chapels or altars. Town authorities made guilds. In 1398 in the Old Town of Torun there were already 41 guilds, including for example leather makers, comb makers, needle makers, hatters, sausage makers, wheel makers, pot makers, blacksmiths, belt makers, bakers, brewers, linen makers, glove makers, butchers, saddle makers, shoemakers, glaziers, locksmiths, purse makers, and goldsmiths. Being a member of a guild started from apprenticeship. Approximately it lasted from 2 to 5 years. Master’s son was released from the lowest level of training. An apprentice didn’t get any pay for the period of training, however got bed and board.

Having completed the training an apprentice was qualified as a journeyman. From that moment on he had the right to get  paid for his work. Besides, he could be judged and punished by guild authorities only, while an apprentice was totally subordinated to the judgment of his master.

The differences when it comes to wealth were not only visible within a particular guild, but also between trades. At the turn of the 14^th and 15^th centuries brewers, goldsmiths, and leather makers were the most affluent ones.