Once upon a time, a boy named Thomas lived in a small village in France. Thomas' father was a potter, and Thomas loved to watch him work. Thomas dreamed of being just like his father. 

Hello!

As Thomas grew up, guilds were formed that saved the merchants' businesses from non-resident traders. The guilds regulated the prices of products and made it illegal for a stranger to come into town to sell goods without permission from the guild

There were many different types of guilds: spinners, weavers, tailors, brewers, silversmiths, bakers, and much more. Members of a particular craft guild usually lived and worked in the same part of the village, and no one could engage in a craft unless they were a member of a guild.

Thomas' father was a member of a Potter's Guild, and Thomas loved to walk with his father to the guildhall every day. He gazed at the beautiful creations and dreamed of one day working there too. 

Woah!

Like this, Thomas!

Thomas watched his father work every day, and the day he turned fourteen he became an apprentice at the guildhall. While he was an apprentice, Thomas worked under the direction of Master Gregory. Master Gregory provided Thomas with clothing, food, and lodging for 6 years while Thomas learned the craft.

After 6 years, the members of the Potter's Guild examined Thomas' work and deemed it good. Thomas became a journeyman, and worked under a new master, Master Edward, for a daily wage. 

We've learned so much!

Thomas traveled from town to town to perfect his craft for seven years. He learned how to create perfect vases, find exquisite colors, and mold lumps of clay into beautiful statues. While he was a journeyman, Thomas became friends with Henry and John, the two potters he traveled with. 

After Thomas had learned all he could, the masters of his guild watched him as he crafted his masterpiece. Henry and John worked alongside him, the three of them hoping to become masters and open their own workshop.

After their projects were completed, the masters studied their work. Thomas, Henry, and John waited nervously for the results. After three long hours, the masters announced that all three of them could become masters. Thomas was ecstatic!

Yay!

Good luck, friends!

Thomas and John opened their own workshops, but Henry could not afford to open one and was forced to remain a journeyman until he acquired the money. Thomas and John pledged to treat their fellow members as family and paid annual dues to the guild.