Guild
a society or body of individuals associated together for carrying on commerce, or some particular trade or business. There existed at Rome various fraternities of tradesmen, which bore a considerable resemblance to our modern guild, and were permitted to GUILDFORD regulate their affairs by their own laws; but it is usual to trace the origin of guilds to the Middle Ages. As soon as the citizens acquired an influence in the administration, the guilds became the basis of the municipal constitutions, and everyone who wished to participate in the municipal government was obliged to become a member of a guild. Guilds introduced the democratic element into society, and in their progress became the bulwarks of the citizen's liberty and the depositaries of much political power. By the close of the 12th century merchants' guilds were general throughout the cities of Europe. The Drapers' Company of Hamburg dates from 1153, and that of the Shoemakers of Magdeburg from 1157. With the increase of their wealth and strength, the guilds either purchased or extorted from their rulers privileges which, once obtained, they were careful never to give up. By the 13th century they had acquired considerable power, and in the course of two successive ages they counterbalanced the power of the nobles.
GUILDFORD (gil'ford), a town and county-seat of Surrey, England, in a break of the chalk ridge of the North Downs, on the navigable Wey, 30 miles S. W. of London. Its houses are still rich in quaint gables, projecting fronts, and long latticed windows. The square Norman keep of its royal castle is 70 feet high with walls 10 feet thick; on St. Catherine's Hill is a ruined chapel (1313); Abbot Hospital, founded in 1619 by Archbishop Abbot for 12 brethren and 8 sisters, is a picturesque red brick pile; and other buildings are the churches of St. Nicholas, St. Mary, and the Holy Trinity, the guildhall (1687), county hall (1862), county hospital (1868), and grammar school (1509- 1550). Guildford is famous for its grain market, the "Surrey wheats" being celebrated. It was bequeathed in 901 by Alfred the Great to his nephew Ethel wald, and in 1036 was the scene of the decimation by King Harold's men of the Norman followers of Alfred the Atheling, a crime that led up to the Norman conquest of England. The Dauphin Louis took the castle in 1216; and in 1685 Monmouth was temporarily confined in Abbot Hospital. Pop. about 23,000.