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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
Organiser:Katalin Szende, Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest
Moderator/Chair:Felicitas Schmieder, Historisches Institut, FernUniversität Hagen
Paper 1115-aCrafts and the Government of London
(Language: English)
Matthew Davies, Centre for Metropolitan History, Institute of Historical Research, University of London
Index terms: Administration, Social History
Paper 1115-bA Completely Patrician Government?: Craftsmen and Urban Leadership in Frankfurt-am-Main
(Language: English)
Ellen Diehm, FernUniversität Hagen
Index terms: Administration, Social History
Paper 1115-cGoldsmiths and Other Honorable Craftsmen: Artisans in the Government of Transylvanian Towns
(Language: English)
Ágnes Flóra, Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest
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.