Rye Pottery

The Guildsmen & their Wives – The Guildsman

Chaucer mentions the specific Guilds in the prologue of The Canterbury Tales;

The Guildsman’s knife was tricked out with brass,

But wrought with purest silver, which avouches

A like display on girdles and on pouches.

Guilds were extremely powerful and important in medieval England; becoming a Member of your trade guild marked both you and your family as worthy of attention.

Once we realised that the Guilds gave us great scope for our decorating skills, we were able to enjoy working with an array of patterned tunics, alternative fabrics and particularly decorative hats.

The Guildsman is clothed in soft terracotta both patterned and braided,  and ties in perfectly with his wife. While his pleated, draped hat adds gravitas to his whole costume.

Click here to see The Guildsman’s Wife.