CHAPTER II

GENERAL HISTORY OF THE GUILDS

I. ORIGIN.-Collegia Opificum et Artificium. Community of interest. Mutual protection. Lothair. First Florentine Consuls. Potente, Grasso, Minuto. Ancient families. Consorterie, or "Society of Towers." Compagnie, or “Trade Corporations." Early notices of Trades.

II. DEVELOPMENT.-Buonuomini, or Trade Consuls of Guilds. The council of the "Heads or "Priors" of the Seven Greater Guilds. First List of Guilds -seven Greater-fourteen Lesser. Podesta-Guido Novelli. Gonfalonieri. Standard Bearers. Military element. Charles of Anjou. Five Intermediate Guilds. Struggles between Capital and Labour. Giano della Bella. Second List of Guilds-twelve Greater, nine Lesser. "Defender of the Guilds." Freedom of industry. The “Ordinamenti della Giustizia." A Code of Guild Statutes. Financial Position of the Guilds. Duke of Athens. "Le Potenze." The "Parte Guelfa." The "Ciompi" Rising. Michele Lando. Three Workmen's Guilds-Artieri e operai. Numberless minor trade associations. Third List of Guilds. Four Universities of Trades under the Medici. Shrinkage and decay.

III. CONSTITUTION.-Compulsory Guild membership. Scioperati! Conditions and Rules. Apprenticeship. Women eligible. Officers. Differences and disputes. Emigration of Artisans. Pains and Penalties. Sundry Prohibitions. Hours of work. Public clocks.

THE

HE Origin of the Florentine Guilds has been rightly traced to the Corporations of Merchants and Artisans, which existed in Rome under Numa Pompilius. They were called "Collegia" or Corpora Opificum et Artificium.”

These "Colleges," which by their constitutions could be mobilised for military purposes, also bore the name of "Schola""Schools" or "Professions." In times of peace they were styled "Schola Artium," but in war they were enrolled as "Schola Militum."1

Men of like age, instincts, tastes, and occupations forgathered in the several "Schola," which safeguarded their common interests and looked after their morals and general well-being. Each

1 Dr Giuseppe Alberti, “Arti e Mestieri,” Milano 1888, chap. i.

"Schola" was furnished with a staff of duly qualified and legally appointed teachers, who instructed young men and boys in the duties and responsibilities of craftsmanship. Under the supreme authority of the State each "Schola" or " Collegium" was governed by its own officers chosen from among, and by, its admitted members, the chief of whom were designated "Consuls."

For a lengthy period the " Schola" flourished exceedingly, and were productive of immense benefit to all classes. From the fall of the Roman Empire, however, until well into the ninth century, the "Schola" seem to have suspended their benevolent operations: anyhow very little is heard of them or their members. Ceaseless feuds and devastating wars scattered far and wide merchants and artisans alike. The lamp of industry and the torch of commerce were extinguished. The land was laid bare, cities and towns were destroyed, or became camps of mercenary soldiery.

Still some of the industries and enterprises which the "Schola" had fostered were carried on fitfully and uncertainly in families, or by individuals working alone, without regular organisation. When the stress of adversity became less severe, and security of life and property were more assured, traditions, which had been handed down in secret from father to son, again became formularies.

Community of interest-the needs of mutual defence, and the advantages of co-operation, once more asserted themselves. Here and there sprang up revivals of something of the economy of the old Roman "Collegia." This was the condition of things in Italy when, in 825, the Emperor Lothair issued his "Constitutiones Olonenses," wherein eight cities and towns of northern Italy were named as suitable centres of population for the establishment of new "Collegia" or " Schola."

These were Bologna, Cremona, Florence, Ivrea, Milan, Padua, Turin, and Venice. The "Schola" in each place bore a different designation, each indicative of the special industrial economies of the several cities. For example:-at Bologna-" Compagnie," at Florence "Capitudini" or "Arti," at Padua—" Fragili," at Venice -"Consorti" or "Matricole"; whilst Rome retained the original

style of "Collegium" or "Universitas." It is not a little interesting to note that in the case of Florence, the title "Capitudini,”Heads of Families, exactly expresses her political constitution, whilst the designation "Arti" indicates her industrial characteristics.

Apparently the Florentines were somewhat slow in availing themselves of the provisions of Lothair's "Constitutiones." Rome had Consuls at the head of her industries in 901, Ravenna in 990,— where the Corporations of Butchers, Fishermen, Merchants and others were regularly organised, and Ferrara in 1015. Florence made no distinct sign until the first year of the twelfth century. For nearly three hundred years she had been going through an almost countless succession of petty strifes and class jealousies until at length we find her people in two camps, Grandi-the nobles and Popolani-the traders.

These nobles were the lineal descendants of the old Teuton lords, who, after playing the rôle of robber-captains, made overtures to the traders, and were by them received as leaders of punitive and aggressive expeditions against raiders and their strongholds. As early as 1081 a joint expedition against bands of robbers, which infested the territory of Florence, and despoiled the trains of pack mules passing to and fro, proved the wisdom of united action between noble and trader.1

Some of these Grandi, such as the Uberti, the Donati, the Alberti, the Caponsacchi, the Gherardi, the Lamberti, and the Ughi united the life of landed proprietors with the occupation of city magnates.2

Many noble families were also allowed a ruling influence in the affairs of the trade associations, and not a few scions of nobility sought admission as active agents in commercial pursuits. These nobles laid aside their titles, and even changed their names that their absorption into the industrial life of the Commune might be

1 F. T. Perrens, "Histoire de Florence," vol. i. p. 190.

2 P. Villari, "Two Centuries of Florentine History," vol. i. p. 93.
3 S. Ammirato, "Dell' Istorie Fiorentine," Lib. iii. pp. 288-290.