Here's a rough breakdown of some prominent guilds in England during the medieval period:
1. Artisan and craftsmen guilds:
- Masons Guild (12th century)
- Carpenters Guild (13th century)
- Blacksmiths Guild (13th century)
- Joiners Guild (13th century)
- Painters' and Decorators' Guild (14th century)
- Weavers' Guild (13th century)
- Woolcombers' Guild (12th century)
- Goldsmiths' Company (1180)
- Merchant Adventurers of the East (1311)
- Merchant Taylors' Company (1327)
- Haberdashers' Company (1391)
- Vintners' Company (1407)
- Salters' Company (1307)
3. Trade guilds:
- Butchers' Guild (12th century)
- Fishermen's Guild (13th century)
- Fullers' Guild (14th century)
- Skinners' Guild (13th century)
- Bakers' Guild (12th century)
In the bustling markets of old England, anyone could twist the rules for coin or advantage. Women were also traders but could mislead and take advantage of their clients, like the men.
The sequence of images depicts two women engaged in a market exchange, a common scene in medieval England. One woman gathers the bags of coins, indicating a successful transaction, while the other gestures toward her in distress, suggesting loss or disagreement. This contrast reflects the competitive and often unloving uncertain nature of female medieval commerce.