"In the course of the tenth century Bruges had waxed great and
wealthy through its trade with England, while the Ghent people
constructed a port at the junction of their two rivers. The
Flemings, nevertheless, were still noted for the boorishness
of their demeanour, their addiction to intemperance, and their
excessive turbulence. Their pagan ancestors had been
accustomed to form associations for their mutual protection
against accidents by fire or water, and similar misadventures.
These unions were called 'Minne,' or Friendships—an idea
reproduced in the 'Amicitiæ,' to which allusion is so
frequently made in the deeds of ancient corporations. …
After a time the name of 'Minne' came to be supplanted by that
of 'Ghilde,' meaning a feast at the common expense. Each
ghilde was placed under the tutelage of a departed hero, or
demigod, and was managed by officers elected by the members—
social equality being the foundation of each fraternity.
Subsequent to the introduction of Christianity the demigod was
replaced by a saint, while the members were enjoined to
practise works of piety. … The Ghildes were the base of the
municipal administration, and gradually assumed the government
of the town, but took another form and appellation. The word
was thenceforward applied, in its restricted sense of Guild,
as referring to trade corporations, while the previous
organisation came to be described in French and Latin
documents as Commune or Communia, and embraced all who were
entitled to gather together in the cauter, or public place,
when the bell rang out the summons from the town belfry. In
Flanders the Communes grew out of popular institutions of
ancient date, and, though, no doubt, their influence was
sensibly increased by their confirmation at the hands of King
or Count, they did not owe their origin to royal or
seigniorial charters."
_J. Hutton,
James and Philip Van Arteveld,
part 1, chapter 1._