Table of Contents

Introduction: historiography; sources. Part 1 English gilds in 1389: the context of the 1389 gild returns; the Yorkshire writs; the Yorkshire returns; the proliferation of gilds; conclusion. Part 2 The geographical distribution and chronological development of Yorkshire gilds: the nature of the testamentary evidence for Yorkshire gilds; chronological patterns for gild activity; gild distribution; gilds in the East Riding; gilds and services in the West Riding; gilds in urban centres. Part 3 The membership and activities of Yorkshire gilds: the occupations and status of testators; lay piety and the dedications of gilds; religious ceremonial in Yorkshire towns; gild administration; conclusion. Part 4 The religious gilds of medieval York: the chronological distribution of testamentary evidence; parish gilds; monastic gilds and confraternities; gilds and occupations; the civic gilds of York; the membership of York gilds; conclusion. Part 5 Case study one - the Corpus Christi gild of York: the evolution of the gild; the ordinance of 1408 and 1477; the origins and foundations of the gild; gild membership; gild finance; dissolution. Part 6 Case study two - the gild of St Mary in Holy Trinity, Hull: the evolution of the gild; gild functions; commerce; real estate; the gild accounts and the town government; St Mary Gild and other fraternities in Hull; the end of the gild; conclusion. Part 7 The reformation and the dissolution of the gilds: the decline of the gilds; Lollards and conservatives; purgatory, intercession and the Eucharist; images, lights and ceremonial; the pilgrimage of grace and its aftermath, 1536-41; the process of dissolution; gild survival; conclusion. Appendices: list of identified Yorkshire gilds; gild masters of the Corpus Christi in York, 1461-1546; York City officials index 1397-1550 showing Corpus Christi Gild membership; officers and financial state of the St Mary Gild in Holy Trinity, Hull, 1463-1537; Yorkshire gilds and services surviving to the dissolution.

About the Author

David Crouch is a fellow of the British Academy and author of a number of editions of medieval documents, most recently The Acts and Letters of the Marshal Family (2015) for the Camden Society. He has written extensively on medieval politics and society, and was also editor of Volume 10 (Howden and Howdenshire) of the Victoria History of Yorkshire East Riding.

Reviews

An excellent, mature and integrated study... good sense and sympathy informed by formidable understanding the sources and the issues. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW An interesting and informative study... contributing significantly to our knowledge and understanding of gilds and the range and complexity of their functions. AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW Highly impressive study... a perceptive and fully rounded account... Adds significantly to our understanding of the religious guilds.
*HISTORY*