THE VICISSITUDES OF URBAN LIFE 229practices, and exercised control over its own members. Demarcation disputes
were legion. The war between the Tailors and Furriers over who should make
fur coats ran for centuries. The appearance of artistic sculptors in the
Renaissance period led to a long dispute between the Masons and the Painters.
Riots and brawls between gangs of apprentices regularly disturbed the peace of
the streets. Yet in the face of external pressures, the guilds usually closed ranks.
They were particularly incensed by infringements of the 'closed shop' principle
within the city limits, and were eternally complaining about the Jews, 'bun-
glers', and interlopers whom they took to be undermining their livelihood. The
formation of rival Jewish Guilds in each of the principal trades provided the
main grounds for demands to deny the Jews the rights of residence.
Membership of a guild involved a lifelong commitment. The guildsman wor-
shipped in the chapel of his Guild, served in the trained band of his Guild, and
frequented the Dom Bracki (Guild House) with his family. As an apprentice, he
lived and worked for seven years under the roof of a master-craftsman, who was
directly responsible for his training and conduct. As a young journeyman, he
was sent abroad for one year and six weeks to gain experience in his trade in a
distant city, or even in a foreign country. Finally, having completed his majster-
sztyk or 'masterwork' as proof of his competence, he was examined by a com-
mittee of the Guild, and admitted to their ranks with all due pomp and
ceremony. Once initiated with the title of Socius, Geselle, or Towarzysz
(Comrade) he would then be required to buy a house in the city, to take a wife,
to swear an oath of loyalty to the Guild, and to register himself as a full citizen.
Not uncommonly, the new member was awarded a descriptive surname, and in
this regard the rolls record many examples of coarse humour: 'Moczygeba'
(Splash-mug); 'Klopoczybaba' (Get-Girl-In-Trouble); 'Mokrowstal' (Damp-
riser); even 'Pierdzikrzyczywol' (Farting-shouting-ox). Henceforth, he was enti-
tled to speak at the general assemblies of his Guild, the so-called morgensprache
or rozmowa poranna, and to cast his vote in the elections of Guild Elders.^5 In a
sense, the life of the Guilds was highly democratic. All decisions and activities
were undertaken communally. In the wider sense, however, the Guilds were
often seen to be acting in a sectional spirit, promoting the interests of their mem-
bers against that of society as a whole. It was in this spirit at the beginning of the
sixteenth century that Jan Ostrorog, Chancellor and jurist, sought to check their
progress, and recommended their abolition.
The merchants' confraternities or Gildia closely resembled the craftsmen's
Guilds. In Cracow, they were regarded as a separate order of the burgher estate
- the Ordo Mercatorum as distinct from the Ordo Mechanicorum - and they
* Butchers, Bakers, Cobblers, Goldsmiths, Furriers, Tailors, Barber-Surgeons, Haberdashers,
Swordmakers, Pewterers, Taverners, Locksmiths, Smiths, Boiler-makers, Coopers,
Carpenters, Joiners, Wheelwrights, Cartwrights, Tanners, Leatherworkers, Weavers,
Bellowsmakers, Harnessmakers, Honeymakers, Brewers, Mailers, Potters, Ropemakers,
Turners, Hatters, Upholsterers, Masons, Needlemakers, Knife-grinders, Armourers,
Embroiderers, Saddlers, and Others.^4