Craft-guilds of the thirteenth century in Paris

This scholarly work opens a window onto the bustling world of 13th‑century Paris, where craft guilds—known then as “gilds”—served as both professional brotherhoods and protective forts for their members. Drawing on contemporary statutes, court records, and the vivid commentary of Étienne Boileau, the author explains how masters, journeymen, and apprentices were bound by oath to uphold strict regulations, safeguard trade secrets, and fend off interference from nobles, foreign merchants, and even unskilled locals.

Beyond the mechanics of apprenticeship, the book explores how these organizations negotiated privileges with the crown and the city’s governing bodies, shaping the economic landscape of medieval Paris. It traces the origins of the guild system, comparing Roman, Germanic, and feudal models, while highlighting the rise of influential guild officials who could rival royal officials in authority. Readers gain a clear sense of how the gilds balanced collective security with the drive for monopoly over their crafts.