The Art of Solidarity in the Middle Ages

The Art of Solidarity in the Middle Ages: Guilds in England 1250-1550 This study explores the motives and experiences of the thousands of men and women who joined medieval guilds in England. These voluntary associations, often comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds, were more than just craft-based organisations - they were family-like societies that shaped the lives of their members. Gervase Rosser examines the material and non-material aims of the guilds, shedding light on the social and moral processes that drove their participants. Guild membership was not limited to a single craft, and the diversity of membership was a defining feature of these organisations. By setting the English evidence in a European context, Rosser reveals the complex and multifaceted nature of these societies. The guilds not only provided practical benefits, such as education and charitable work, but also facilitated personal change and transformation through the cultivation of new friendships and a sense of community. This book offers a fresh perspective on the medieval period, one that highlights the agency and autonomy of individuals within these societies. By exploring the conception and construction of society in the Middle Ages, Rosser's study has implications for how we understand the nature of human fulfilment and our relationships with others.