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In defence of corporate liberties: early modern guilds and the problem of illicit artisan work

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

PHILIP R. HOFFMANN
Affiliation:
SFB 485, ‘Norm und Symbol’, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany

Abstract

This article analyses different aspects of illicit artisan work, especially in early modern Lübeck. It was a significant political problem especially for the guilds, because in their view it was a severe encroachment on their corporate liberties. In particular, the social control of clandestine artisans was a controversial issue: while the guilds regarded the right to carry out visitations as a central part of their privileges, this practice clashed with other civic liberties for example the protection of the ‘house-peace’ (Hausfriede).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2007 Cambridge University Press

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