Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 1.djvu/26

 18

NOTES AND QUERIES. [ii s. i. JAX. i, 1910.

j&istdlmtmz.

NOTES ON BOOKS, &c. The Gilds and Companies of London. By George

Unwin. (Methuen & Co. )

THIS is a further addition to the series of " Anti- quary's Books," published under the general editorship of the Rev. Dr. Cox. The volume is based on a study of printed and unprinted sources concerning the foundation and history of the Livery Companies, and forms an outline of the development of the Gilds and Companies of London from the days of Henry Plantagenet to those of Victoria. Whilst not losing sight of individual peculiarities, the author has endea- voured to lay stress on the significance which the Gilds and Companies as a whole have had for the constitutional history of the City, and for the social and economic development of the nation at large.

In addition to the actual history of the City Companies, an attempt has been made to find the genesis of the idea of these organizations, the collapse of the Roman Empire being taken as a starting-point. The growth throughout Western Europe of the purely feudal system, and sub- sequently the germination and formulation of the collective idea, are next described. We quote the author as follows :

" In order to produce steady and coherent progress the upward thrust of the new life and the downward pressure of the old formula are both needed. But the upward thrust must be stronger than the downward pressure .... This process of interaction can nowhere be studied to better advantage than in the birth, life, and develop- ment of the Gild, and of those kindred organiza- tions which have succeeded to its functions. We can there watch in all its phases that trans- formation of social forces into political forces which is the very essence of what we call progress. We see class after class constituting itself a social force by the act of self-organization. Then, as the new social force gains political recognition, the voluntary association passes wholly or partly into an organ of public administration."

In order to secure a comprehensive groundwork, it has been found necessary to refer to the con- temporary development of Gilds in Continental cities, amongst others Bruges, Paris, and Florence ; likewise to the general trend of the collective idea amongst Teutonic nations. As an example of feudal opposition we may mention that a law of Charlemagne of 779 decrees that persons shall not presume to bind themselves by mutual oaths in a Gild (Geldonia). A later decree of 821 warns the lords in Flanders and other maritime ports to restrain their serfs from sworn confederacies on pain of incurring a fine themselves.

To follow the fortunes of the Gilds through their chequered careers is not possible on ac- count of limitations of space. Suffice it to say, that their history and development are traced with no uncertain hand by the author. Inci- dentally it appears that the presence of aliens is not, as some imagine, a modern'problem. London in the fourteenth century was j considerably troubled in this respect :

"This alarm had scarcely ' subsided before another serious cause of dissension arose between

the Londoners and the Government. A rumour sprang up that it was intended to solve the difficulties created by the City's hostility to foreigners by making another port the seat of foreign trade. It was said that a wealthy Genoese merchant then staying in London had offered to make Southampton the greatest port in Western Europe, if the King would grant him the use of a castle there as his depot. The indig- nation of the extremists in the anti-alien party at this prospect passed all bounds, and the un- fortunate Italian was struck down in the open street before his inn by the hand of an assassin named Kirkeby."

We recommend this book to all who are interested in the history of Gilds and similar fraternities, or in the development of the City of London. Indeed, the history of the Gilds and that of the City are inextricably interwoven.

Mr. Unwin's style is lucid and convincing, and his work has evidently not been lightly under- taken, but is as complete as a keen apprecia- tion of his subject can make it.

Whitaker's Almanack, 1910. (Whitaker & Sons.) Whitaker's Peerage, 1910. (Same publishers.)

THE editor of the world-renowned 'Almanack r does not rest on his laurels, but still works hard at making improvements and additions ; and in the volume for the new year are to be found many fresh articles. These include the latest triumphs of aerial navigation, the export of British capital, the Imperial Press Conference, the break-up of the Poor Law, and a review of Social Progress. The statistics in the last are of great Interest. The death-rate, which stood at 22'7 for 1851-5, had dropped in 1907 to 15'0. The birth-rate, which was 33'9 in 1851-5, had declined to 26*3 in 1907. A similar decline in the birth-rate is noticeable in the case of most European countries. As regards wages and prices, the net result shows an apparent increase of 40 per cent, in wages since 1860, while the general level of prices was about 24 per cent, lower. The prices given do not fully represent the changes in the cost of living, since they do not include rent, which has probably risen on an average since 1860. In reference to local debt in 1874-5, the amount was nearly 93,000,000*., representing 16s. Id. per pound of rateable value, or 3?. 18s. 3d. per head of population ; while in 1905-6 the amount had increased to 483,000,000^., representing 21. 7s. Id. per pound of rateable value, or 14?. 2s. 10d. per head of population. It is pointed out, how- ever, that a large portion of the capital debt belongs to undertakings producing revenue.

' Whitaker's Peerage ' also contains important additions. A concise account of the Coronation ceremonies has been - inserted, the section on Indian titles extended, and the Indian Com- panions given. There is, besides, a description of Court dress for laymen. Under the Baronet- age mention is made of '' the grant of a baronetcy to a female Dame Mary Bolles, of Osberton, Notts (1635 in the Scottish Baronetage), "and it is stated that " this is not quite the only one." There are some amusing references to the past in the account of the Knightage. The awkward- ness of King James on the occasion of his con- ferring a knighthood on Kenelm Digby nearly caused an accident. This was only prevented by the Duke of Buckingham ; otherwise the King; would have thrust the sword into Digby's eye.