ABSTRACT
Guilds can be defined as associations of individuals formed for a common purpose, using a subscription model of membership. This chapter focuses on guilds formed for the common purpose of trade promotion whose members were merchants or artisans. Guild members, operating as sole traders or in partnerships, engaged in global trade by coordinating supply chains. Members of merchant guilds sourced, created, or distributed exports or distributed imports while members of artisan guilds created goods for domestic consumption or export. Membership of a guild provided access to trade networks and infrastructure, training and quality control, and welfare provision. Drawing on evidence from English urban guilds, the chapter argues that guild membership helped individual traders to create and strengthen the networks for global supply chains. Guild members had common goals with local and central government, namely enhancing the prosperity of the town and improving England’s international trading reputation.
