IMC 2007: Sessions
Session 1115: Crafts in Urban Government, I: A Cross-European Perspective
Wednesday 11 July 2007, 11.15-12.45
Sponsor: | Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest |
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Organiser: | Katalin Szende, Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest |
Moderator/Chair: | Felicitas Schmieder, Historisches Institut, FernUniversität Hagen |
Paper 1115-a | Crafts and the Government of London (Language: English) Index terms: Administration, Social History |
Paper 1115-b | A Completely Patrician Government?: Craftsmen and Urban Leadership in Frankfurt-am-Main (Language: English) Index terms: Administration, Social History |
Paper 1115-c | Goldsmiths and Other Honorable Craftsmen: Artisans in the Government of Transylvanian Towns (Language: English) Index terms: Administration, Social History |
Abstract | Medieval towns were characterised by a sophisticated governmental system of elected, co-opted, and appointed magistrates, within which the role of craftsmen varied both chronologically and from one town to the other. In some places artisans acquired leading positions on their own right, because of their individual wealth and prestige, while in others there was a regular representation of craftsmen in the governing bodies, based on guild membership. On the other hand, in some cities craftsmen were in principle excluded by the patricians from the most prestigious offices. This session sets out to examine the reasons for the presence or absence of craftsmen in the governments of various European cities from London through Frankfurt to Transylvania, and intends to highlight social and constitutional characteristics through their comparisons. |