Håndværkslaug

Håndværkslaug, or craft guilds, were associations of artisans and merchants in medieval Europe and later. They were formed to regulate the practice of a trade or craft within a particular town or city. Membership in a guild was typically restricted to masters, journeymen, and apprentices, each representing a different stage of skill and experience. Guilds played a crucial role in the economic and social life of medieval urban centers.

The primary functions of a guild included setting standards for quality and workmanship, controlling prices, and limiting competition. They also provided a system of training and education for new entrants to the trade through the apprenticeship system. Apprentices learned their craft from a master, usually living and working in the master's household for several years. Upon completion of their apprenticeship, they became journeymen, often traveling to gain broader experience before potentially becoming masters themselves.

Guilds also offered social and mutual support to their members. They provided financial assistance in times of sickness or death, organized religious festivals, and sometimes even acted as a political force within the town. The structure of guilds often reflected a hierarchical society, with masters at the top, followed by journeymen, and apprentices at the bottom. Over time, the power and influence of guilds waned with the rise of industrialization and changes in economic structures, though some forms of guilds and their traditions persist in various parts of the world today.