A guild is an association of people of the same trade or pursuits (with a similar skill or craft), formed to protect mutual interests and maintain standards of morality or conduct. Historically they were formed to benefit societies or small business associations, also referred to as a trade union of sorts, since each crafter was a self-employed individual artisan or part of a small craft shop or co-operative. They exist in modern and medieval incarnations. One's view of guilds tends to be heavily colored by one's view of political economy, since the whole history of trade, technology, intellectual property, regulated professions, social security, and professional ethics are entwined with the history of the guilds in Europe.

Early history

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Regulated professions were a feature of the ancient and classical world. The Code of Hammurabi specified a death penalty for builders, or masons, whose buildings fell on the inhabitants. Hammurabi himself had been a stonemason, so this could be considered an early example of self-regulation. The Hippocratic Oath applies to this day as the basis of the modern physicians' ethical code. All known legal codes include some limits on the practices or powers of jurists, e.g. the Rules of Civil Procedure, or politicians, e.g. the rules of parliamentary debate. It has generally been recognized that those in a position of special knowledge or trust were to be held accountable to the public for their advice and services.

Islamic civilization extended this to a degree to the artisan as well — most notably to the warraqeen, "those who work with paper". Early Muslims were heavily engaged in translating and absorbing all ilm ("knowledge") from all other known civilizations, "as far as China". Critically analyzing, accepting, rejecting, improving and codifying knowledge from other cultures became a key activity, and a knowledge industry as presently understood began to evolve. By the beginning of the 9th century, paper had become the standard medium of written communication, and most warraqeen were engaged in paper-making, book-selling, and taking the dictation of authors, to whom they were obliged to pay royalties on works, and who had final discretion on the contents. As the standard means of presentation of a new work was its public dictation in the mosque or madrassah, in front of many scholars and students, a high degree of professional respect was required to ensure that other warraqeen did not simply make and sell copies, or that authors did not lose faith in the warraqeen or this system of publication. This was an early guild.

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Bath Chronicle: Support grows for Chronicle's 'clean up Bath' campaign: A group of members of Townswomen's Guilds ... http://bit.ly/3TlDbt
bathchronicle (Bath Chronicle) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:30:44 -0000
Bath Chronicle: Support grows for Chronicle's 'clean up Bath' campaign: A group of members of Townswomen's Guilds ... http://bit.ly/3TlDbt
Support grows for Chronicle's 'clean up Bath' campaign: A group of members of Townswomen's Guilds in Bath discu.. http://bit.ly/3TlDbt
thisisbath (thisisbath) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:06:06 -0000
Support grows for Chronicle's 'clean up Bath' campaign: A group of members of Townswomen's Guilds in Bath discu.. http://bit.ly/3TlDbt

Townswomen's Guilds - A UK organisation for women to gather in a friendly atmosphere to discuss local and national issues and enjoy themselves. Includes membership information and local chapters.

404 Bexleyheath Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Contact information and meeting times and location.

East Yorkshire Townswomen's Guilds - Contact information for local guilds and regional events.

Hampshire County Townswomen's Guilds - Listing of local clubs, with meeting times and contact information.
Meta Description: [ Find a club or society in your area ]

Melksham Townswomen's Guild - Information on meeting time, location, and upcoming programs, with subscription information.
Meta Description: [ Group of women who meet together regularly to participate in various activities ]

Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Contact information, meeting times and location, and membership.
Meta Description: [ The Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild meets on the third Thursday each month, at the Assembly Hall (Raynes Park Library), Approach Road, Raynes Park. New Members are always very welcome. ]

404 Shifnal Townswomen's Guild - Serving Shifnal and surrounding Shropshire villages. Listing of activities, meeting time and location, and contact information.

404 Shirehampton Townswomen's Guild - Contact information, with meeting times and location.

Townswomen's Guild in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove - Information on local clubs.

Twickenham Heathfield Townswomen's Guild - Offers information on events and groups within Heathfield Guild.