Details

Ruler: The Guild Master
Seat: Usually a local guildhall

Perception

Origin and History

Ranks and forms of address

These are typical of most such guilds, not universal

• (Master X) The Most Honourable X, Guild Master of the [Merchants' Guild/Company/&c.] of [City]
• (Master X) The Honourable X, Councilman of the [Merchants' Guild/Company/&c.] of [City]
• Master X, [Officer] of the [Merchants' Guild/Company/&c.] of [City]
  • Elderman
  • Warden
  • Clerk
  • [Specific Officer]
• Master X, Senior Merchant of the [Merchants' Guild/Company/&c.] of [City]
• Master X, Freeman of the [Merchants' Guild/Company/&c.] of [City] (an "ordinary" member, obtainable by patrimony or by apprenticeship (or sometimes, by purchase (AKA "redemption"), or by honour))
• X, Apprentice of the [Merchants' Guild/Company/&c.] of [City]

Practices

• Can not sell retail to “strangers” (traders from other towns)
• Strangers can sell only to guildsmen

Specific Guilds

Rumor Has It…

Behind the Scenes

• Mostly "historical": ideally, fewer of them, covering somewhat broader, "generic" categories of crafts/trades.