Having examined into corporations collectively and also into their general administration, we will now turn to consider their internal organization. It was only after long and difficult struggles that these trade associations succeeded in taking a definite and established position; without, however, succeeding at any time in organizing themselves as one body on the same basis and with the same privileges. Therefore, in pointing out the influential character of these institutions generally, we must omit various matters specially connected with individual associations, which it would be impossible to mention in this brief sketch.
In the fourteenth century, the period when the communities of crafts were at the height of their development and power, no association of artisans could legally exist without a license either from the king, the lord, the prince, the abbot, the bailiff, or the mayor of the district in which it proposed to establish itself.
[Illustration: Fig. 236.--Banner of the Tilers of Paris, with the Armorial Bearings of the Corporation.]
[Illustration: Fig. 237.--Banner of the Nail-makers of Paris, with Armorial Bearings of the Corporation.]
[Illustration: Fig. 238.--Banner of the Harness-makers of Paris, with the Armorial Bearings of the Corporation.]
[Illustration: Fig. 239.--Banner of the Wheelwrights of Paris, with the Armoral Bearings of the Corporation.]
[Illustration: Fig. 240.--Banner of the Tanners of Vie, with the Patron Saint of the Corporation.]
[Illustration: Fig. 241.--Banner of the Weavers of Poulon, with the Patron Saint of the Corporation.]
These communities had their statutes and privileges; they were distinguished at public ceremonials by their _liveries_ or special dress, as well as by their arms and banners (Figs. 235 to 241). They possessed the right freely to discuss their general interests, and at meetings composed of all their members they might modify their statutes, provided that such changes were confirmed by the King or by the authorities. It was also necessary that these meetings, at which the royal delegates were present, should be duly authorised; and, lastly, so as to render the communication between members more easy, and to facilitate everything which concerned the interests of the craft, artisans of the same trade usually resided in the same quarter of the town, and even in the same street. The names of many streets in Paris and other towns of France testify to this custom, which still partially exists in the towns of Germany and Italy.