The Guild System

The Trade Guilds were once located in twenty buildings situated throughout the city but largely around the junctures of East, North, South and West streets. The Guild system had developed in many medieval towns to protect the interests of local traders and local business, training up the next generation of artisans out of the local population, and this is still the case in Victorian Chichester although the guilds are not as powerful as they once were, now preferring to operate out of the Corn Exchange, Butter Exchange or other markets. The Guilds now form a largely self-interested protective union or trade organization; members include freemen of the city (Masters and journeymen) and apprentices (boys of 14 years old subject to seven years' training). The guildmasters, elected for two-year terms from among the masters, settled all such matters as hours of work, and prices charged, the standard of quality, and the number of apprentices each guild could train. Businesses and shops within the walls are subject to licensing from the relevant guild. Chichester historically features twenty guilds - Cappers & Hatmakers, the Glaziers & Painters, the Mercers (suppliers and producers of luxery fabrics), the Blacksmiths, Goldsmiths, Cutlers and Coopers, the Joiners (Carpenters), the Barbers, the Clothiers, Weavers & Tailors, the Saddlers & Curriers, the Glovers, Cordmakers & Shoemakers, the White Tawers (who convert skins into white leather by mineral tanning with alum and salt), the Bakers, Inn-holders & Victuallers, the Stationers, the Masons and Bricklayers, the Tanners, Skinners & Butchers and the Brewers. The guild-halls shown below are now less business centres and more museums dedicated to the history of the city's industrial development.

NORTH STREET

Image	Location	Description
	The Cappers and Hatmakers Guildhouse	Located on the west side of the street, near the North Gate. The house features a large meeting space with offices and a museum of master-works. There is a storage area for materials on the second floor (space can the rented out to members) and rooms for apprentices.
	The Glaziers and Painters Guildhouse	Loacated on the west side of the street just north of the junction with West Street. This magnificent structure features a large meeting space with offices and storage facilities (which can be rented to members) and rooms for apprentices.
	The Mercers Guildhouse	Located on the east side of the street just off Lions Street. The house features meeting space, offices and a warehouse of samples. There is storage space on the second floor (which can be rented to members) and rooms for apprentices.
	The Goldsmiths Guildhouse	Located on the east side of the street, just south of Lions Street. The house, which has its own paid security force, features a meeting space, offices and a secured vault for samples and supplies and rooms for apprentices. The master and his assistents act as bankers for the city and handle the overflow of documents from the Cathedral chapter-house.
	The Stationers Guildhouse	Located on the west side of the street, just north of the corner with West Street. The house features a meeting space, offices and warehouse of supplies. Storage space is available to members and rooms for apprentices.

WEST STREET

Image	Location	Description
	The Cutlers and Coopers Guildhouse	Located on the north side on the corner of Tower Street. The house features a large meeting space, offices and museum of master works. There is a storage area on an upper floor which is made available to the members and rooms for apprentices.
	The Joiners Guildhouse	Located on the south side of the street, close to the Bell Tower. The house features a large meeting space, offices, and rooms for apprentices.
	The Barber-Surgeons Guildhouse	Located on the corner of West and North Streets, the house features a meeting space, offices, a museum of archaic intruments and documents, as well as offering temporary living space for members and apprentices.
	The Weavers and Tailers Guildhouse	Located on the western corner at the junction with Chapel Street, this house features a large meeting and display room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members), a museum area for master works and rooms for apprentices.
	The Cordmakers and Shoemakers Guildhouse	Located on the eastern corner at the junction with Chapel Street, this house features a large meeting and display room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members), a museum area for master works and moulds and rooms for apprentices.

EAST STREET

Image	Location	Description
	The Clothiers Guildhouse	Located on the west side of the corner with St Martin's, this house features a large meeting and display room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members), a museum area for master works and rooms for apprentices.
	The Saddlers and Carriers Guildhouse	Located on the east side corner with St Martin's, this house features a large meeting and display room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members), a large yard for teaching purposes, a museum area for master works and rooms for apprentices and a barn for horses.
	The Glovers Guildhouse	Located on the western corner with Friary Lane, the house features a meeting and display room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members), a museum area for master works and rooms for apprentices.
	The Inn-holders and Victuallers Guildhouse	Located on the eastside junction between East and North Streets, the house features a large meeting, offices, some limited storage space in the cellar (with some wine storage) and rooms for apprentices.
	The Masons and Bricklayers Guildhouse	Located on the western side of the junction with North Pallant Street, the house features a large meeting room, offices, storage space on the grounds and limited storage space in the cellar for rentable equipments (to members) and rooms for apprentices.

SOUTH STREET

Image	Location	Description
	The White Tawers Guildhouse	Located on the north side of the corner with West Pallant Street, the house features a large meeting and works room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members) and rooms for apprentices. All tawing work is done in the house or on the grounds.
	The Blacksmiths Guildhouse	Located on the south side of the corner with West Pallant Street, the house features a large meeting and display room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members), a museum area for master works and rooms for apprentices. There is some equipment rentals available here (for members).
	The Bakers Guildhouse	Located on the west side of the street, just north of Canons Lane Gate. The house features a large meeting room, offices, two kitchens with large ovens and cooling spaces, some storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members) and rooms for apprentices. New apprentices are taught here, rather than by the individual journeymen and masters.
	The Brewers Guildhouse	This magnificent building is located at the eastern corner of South and East streets, and features a large meeting and display room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members), a shop for samples and rooms for apprentices. There is a beer garden for festivities and family gatherings.
	The Tanners, Skinners and Butchers Guildhouse	Located on the western corner of South and East Streets, the house features a large meeting room, offices, storage space on the second floor (which can be rented out by members), a barn-yard with animals ready for butchering and space for airing materials, and rooms for apprentices. The house also acts as a slaughterhouse.