I had sat with this question for a while wondering what benefits, if any, being part of a ‘Guild’ would give my business and in theory, myself. The perceived history of Guilds and association with secret groups such as the Freemasons, made me shiver with slight disdain. Collectives of people, using their “golden handshake” to propel themselves through the social class system to buy their skills a right of passage to the elite. Something l never wanted to be part of as l believe mastery and workmanship is not measured by a secret handshake or a chicken strut around a chair to prove my worth.
Then l dug deeper to understand the true origin of a “Guild” and realised quickly how wrong l had been. In Medieval times stonemasons travelled the country looking for work. Most people didn’t read or write so they needed a way to prove that they had passed the rigorous apprenticeship to become a properly qualified craftsman.
When you qualified as a master stonemason you were given special words and gestures that only another stonemason of that qualification would know. So it is how your professional qualifications could be checked; a bit like a Medieval ‘chip and pin’ system.
Freemasonry borrows the traditions of stonemasons, so along with the tools and apron it adopted the idea of a symbolic handshake. The handshake, or ‘grip’ as a freemason would call it, varies with each of the three degrees. Just like with the qualification level of a stonemason, it allows them to confirm during the meeting that they had passed one or more of those ceremonial levels.
The special handshake was very important in the past. If you were a freemason who travelled you would want to prove you were really a member at a new lodge. Today it is purely traditional and reminds freemasons of their symbolic link to those Medieval craftsmen every time they share it.
This changed my mindset. Being a member of a Guild meant that l was following in the path of ancient craftsmen who, like me, had grafted with their craft to be the best in their profession. An acknowledgement to those who came before and a pledge to continue with my learning and teaching to pass on forgotten skills to the next generation of knotters. It shows that l am serious about my craft and dedicate my time to research, through my own trials and errors, to become a master of my abilities. It also indicates that l am not a “fly by night” chancer who saw a golden opportunity to enhance my own status within a community. Symbolising the difference between a chancing charlatan and a genuine craftsman who invests time and energy in their skills.
Even after being a member for several years, I am always learning, always growing, always humble to the more experienced members of the IGKT Guild who are always there for support, guidance and unwavering knowledge of this disappearing craft.
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