The records relating to those who became freemen of guilds and livery companies in the City of London and the provincial (‘outwith’) guilds in other towns and cities around the UK provide a remarkable opportunity to research ancestors’ lives through the 17th and 18th centuries - and earlier in some instances. They show the trades and crafts they practised, the networks of colleagues and employers they associated with, and often their parentage and even spouses. Also freedom of a guild might lead to freedom of the city, whereby one gained the right to vote and to trade in addition to the responsibilities to pay rates and taxes.
Most of the guilds had ceased to operate by the late 18th century
The guilds provided for their members in sickness or old age, and for members’ widows and children. Some large towns had many guilds for different crafts. For example Newcastle
