Information and Leisure =Medieval life and the Halfling Socialists

[Mark Chance]

there are plenty of medieval examples of communal living experiments in medieval europe.

Not to mention nearly the entire history of Western monasticism. It was, after all, Benedict of Nursia who theorized that private property was an enormous source of evil.

From the Benedictine Rule, discussing ownership of private possessions:

This vice especially
is to be cut out of the monastery by the roots.
Let no one presume to give or receive anything
without the Abbot's leave,
or to have anything as his own--
anything whatever,
whether book or tablets or pen or whatever it may be--
since they are not permitted to have even their bodies or wills
at their own disposal;
but for all their necessities
let them look to the Father of the monastery.
And let it be unlawful to have anything
which the Abbot has not given or allowed.
Let all things be common to all,
as it is written (Acts 4:32),
and let no one say or assume that anything is his own.

But if anyone is caught indulging in this most wicked vice,
let him be admonished once and a second time.
If he fails to amend,
let him undergo punishment.

 

[Tonguez]

Not to mention nearly the entire history of Western monasticism. It was, after all, Benedict of Nursia who theorized that private property was an enormous source of evil.

From the Benedictine Rule, discussing ownership of private possessions:

This vice especially
is to be cut out of the monastery by the roots.
Let no one presume to give or receive anything
without the Abbot's leave,
or to have anything as his own--
anything whatever,
whether book or tablets or pen or whatever it may be--
since they are not permitted to have even their bodies or wills
at their own disposal;
but for all their necessities
let them look to the Father of the monastery.
And let it be unlawful to have anything
which the Abbot has not given or allowed.
Let all things be common to all,
as it is written (Acts 4:32),
and let no one say or assume that anything is his own.

But if anyone is caught indulging in this most wicked vice,
let him be admonished once and a second time.
If he fails to amend,
let him undergo punishment.

Now thats very interesting thanks

SO what about rights for Commoners would our DnD world allow things like labour unions? and enact things like Employee allowances, worker rights and the dreaded OSH!

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

In late and high Medieval Europe powerful guilds could count thousands of members, operated according to complicated democratic procedures, and had lots and lots of power, down to the level of constitutionally guaranteed rights and priveleges, over how members of their guild could be asked to work.

There is absolutely nothing anacronistic about a labor union concept, except that the medieval equivalent is likely to have lot more power and to operate on a much broader and stronger level. All of the best guilds fielded soldiers in return for royal protection, for instance, and sponsored a lot of art and public projects. They were also likely to own nearly everything associated with their businesses rather than be forced to negotiate with management or capital.

There are some wild accounts of guild power, I'll see if I can find some on-line references.

Many early socialist and communist documents express some nostalgia for the level of workers rights that people in the middle ages were willing to consider.

Many of the guilds were also very willing to deal with women, particularly widows or relatives of former members, resulting in some very succesful and respected businesswomen.

Writing for the nobility, Chaucer makes fun of such a character through the Wife of Bath, but he none-the-less recognizes her existence.