Groups or associations of people within a similar profession (or with similar interests) who often had considerable collective power.
Guilds
Fact of the Day
Henry of Grosmont, 1st duke of Lancaster, enjoyed smelling scarlet cloth.
Quote of the Day
"I think a curse should rest on me, because I love this war. I know it's smashing and shattering the lives of thousands every moment, and yet I can't help it, I enjoy every second of it.
"
~ Winston Churchill in 1916
On This Day
1586 American colonists arrived in Plymouth with large quantities of tobacco. Smoking caught on quickly, though it was also used in tea.
1694 The Bank of England was founded by an act of parliament as a way to finance government debt by private subscription.
1943 The concentrated Allied bombing of Hamburg led to a three hour firestorm that killed approx 30,000 civilians.