Between Regulation and Freedom: Work and Manufactures in European Cities, 14th-18th Centuries

This collection of essays delves into the complex dynamics of guilds in European cities from the 14th to 18th centuries, offering fresh perspectives on their functions within the fabric of society. The authors explore how these institutions balanced the delicate interplay between regulation and individual freedom, shaping the economic and social landscapes of their time.

Through historical analysis, readers are guided through the various roles guilds played in terms of production, labor, and community identity. The essays illuminate how guilds not only governed work but also served as vehicles for social cohesion and political power, often influencing broader societal changes.

Contributors to this volume provide rich insights into the challenges and transformations that guilds faced amid evolving economic practices and urbanization. Their collective scholarship encourages a reevaluation of traditional narratives surrounding guilds, showcasing their significance far beyond mere economic entities, revealing their intricate ties to culture, politics, and individual agency during this pivotal period in European history.