Page:May Walden - Woman and Socialism (1909).pdf/10

 10 the middle of the 11th century, and was brought about chiefly by the growth of certain trades which had developed in the hands of the serfs, and also by the increased demand for certain goods which made their manufacture desirable. An even greater division of labor was made possible, for the workers no longer belonged to the land, but hired themselves out for a certain period of years as apprentices. After the trade was thoroughly learned, they could go forth as journeymen or journeywomen. All workers of a certain craft belonged to one guild, as the weaver's guild, the bookbinder's guild, etc. Guilds of female workers had the same rights and privileges as those of the men. Among them were the tanners, the furriers, saddlers, and harnessmakers, the bakers, seamstresses, embroiderers of coats-of-arms, tailors and goldsmiths.

The distinctive features of this system of production were, first, the combination of labor with a small capital, and second, the private ownership of the tools that were used. The guild-master, or mistress, bought the materials necessary, and worked in the shop with the apprentices, making the finished product. This finished article was sold directly to the customer. Whatever money was made was kept, as it did not have to be divided with a middleman. As the system developed, however, the master-guilders became more wealthy and tyrannical, and their apprentices and journeyers took sides against them in self-protection. As time passed, the master-guilders joined themselves into trade