Guilds
Their Strengths and Virtues Guilds in Britain have their origins in the Anglo-Saxon period, I have included some speculations in my notes below. The background to guilds (or gilds) could be likened to writing a history of commerce. However, the guilds did not necessarily begin as trading enterprises. The earliest of ‘gilds’, in their original form, tended to be fraternities with religious leanings. Historically, society was led by a monarchy and or their leading nobles. Merchants and craft artisans among…