THE CRAFT GUILDS OF FRANCE.
of the six corps of merchants; the thirty-second being that
etc.^
masons, qnarrymen, stonemasons,
the kingdom.^
assumed coats
"
fratrum
"
;
FideliU
of
et
193
St Blaise, comprising the
This organisation was afterwards extended throughout
of
The trade guilds not only possessed their distinguishing banners, but also
"
Tliat of the six corps in Paris was,
of arms and mottoes.
Vincit concordia
"
"
Avcc nous sccurite et confiance ;
the apothecaries,
and of the locksmiths,
(The locksmiths were not allowed to make a key without having the
secret."
lock in hand; in order, probably, to prevent a key being procured without the knowledge
of the master of the house.)
The guilds also rejoiced in a war-cry. In the south it was Allot;
in
Burgundy, Aboc
at
;
Commiues
(near Lille) Ahlot?
I
have been unable
to
ascertain
the significance of these words.
An
institution closely allied with the craft guilds
conphrairie, frairie, confrerie, le cierge, la caritat, etc.).
was that of the
fraternity {confrairie,
Everj^ craft guild belonged, as a body,
maintained an altar in some neighbouring church, and decorated it with
supply which it levied on its members fines and fees to be paid in wax. From
"
La
this wax candle the fraternity was sometimes spoken of simply as le eierge,
the candle."
to
some
fraternity,
candles, to
caritat is the Provencal
form of la
charity,
"confraternity."
members
many
as the craft,
and
is,
in
The other synonyms given above
society was composed of the same
"the charity."
are archaic forms of confrerie,
The
cases, difficult to distinguish
from
it
on that account;
It
it was always a distinct entity, and was often legislated for separately.
provided for the assembly of the brethren at stated periods, for religious exercises and
The newly-received master was
social pleasures
those of the table occupying a large share.
nevertheless,
;
expected to provide the members of the fraternity with a banquet, and it was the excess
to which the feasting was carried which eventually formed one of the great hindrances to
becoming a master. Provision was made for a due attendance of members at the nuptials or
obsequies of one of their number, and it afforded a convenient meeting-place for secret
political purposes, and for maturing further restrictions in favour of the existing masters.
Yet
like all
human
institutions,
however laudable in themselves,
it
contained the germs of
these, instead of being rigidly kept under, were apparently carefully nurtured,
To this latter development must be ascribed the
until the tares choked the good seed.
abuse, and
constant endeavour on the part of French rulers to suppress the fraternities but inasmuch
as no power can prevent the voluntary association of individuals animated by a conmion
;
on their
purpose, these efforts never attained any lasting success and the fraternities carried
work in secret until they could once more do so openly. Their most useful sphere of action
and poor masters, their widows, and children, the
was the sustenance and relief of
;
aged
assistance rendered to
members
in cases of illness,
and
to
companions on
their travels.
The
to have belonged solely to the body of masters, although apprentices
on their indentures, and companions working in the city, were required to contribute
entering
In return, they were assisted from the treasury and shared the benefit of
to the funds.
members appear
Louandre says, "Entirely distinct from the corporation, although
the religious services.
invocation of some
composed of the same elements, the fraternity was placed under the
The symbol of the craft was
saint reputed to have exercised the profession of the members.
It is a delicate matter to differ from so
a. banner, that of the fraternity a wax taper."*
''
'
3
Ibul.,
et Corporations, p. 78.
Introduction to Monteil, Histoire de I'Industrie Fran^aise, 1872,
Louandre,
Migne, Noiivelle Encyclopedie Tlieologique, Diet, des Coufr^ries
Ibid., p. 75.
•
2 B
p. 79.
p. 54.