Archief van de Gilden en het Brouwerscollege
Item
Country
NL
Name of institution (English)
Amsterdam City Archives
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
dut
Contact information: postal address
Vijzelstraat 32, 1017 HL Amsterdam
Contact information: phone number
0031 202511511
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
stadarchief@amsterdam.nl
Reference number
366
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Archive of the Guilds and the Brewers' College
Title (official language of the state)
Archief van de Gilden en het Brouwerscollege
Language of title
dut
Creator / accumulator
Brouwerscollege
Gilden
Date(s)
1348/1990
Language(s)
dut
Extent
1,738 archival units
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
The Archief van de Gilden en het Brouwerscollege comprises documentation belonging to former guilds of Amsterdam. It also includes the records of the Brouwerscollege (Brewers College), which was never formally united in a guild but its archives ended up being placed in this collection. Most of the documentation of the guilds was lost, and the records that survived are mostly related to the guilds' members and financial matters.
Considering the economic relevance of the Sephardic community of Amsterdam, it is possible to find various references to Sephardim in this collection, in particular in the records related to guilds of certain occupations. It is the case of the Makelaarsgilde (Brokers' guild), for instance. Daniel Swetschinski (2000) found in this archival series information regarding Abraham da Fonseca, a Portuguese Jew born in Hamburg in 1638, who was a broker in Amsterdam from 1670 to 1693, and a member of the Makelaarsgilde. His son Isaac da Fonseca inherited the membership by recommendation of the Amsterdam burgomasters (1190, fols. 39 and 207).
The Kleinkramersgilde (Peddlars' guild) series includes a "Gildeboek voor de Joden" (Guild book for the Jews), which registers the revenues from the Jews who bought the right of the guild, including records from 1808 to 1811.
Considering the economic relevance of the Sephardic community of Amsterdam, it is possible to find various references to Sephardim in this collection, in particular in the records related to guilds of certain occupations. It is the case of the Makelaarsgilde (Brokers' guild), for instance. Daniel Swetschinski (2000) found in this archival series information regarding Abraham da Fonseca, a Portuguese Jew born in Hamburg in 1638, who was a broker in Amsterdam from 1670 to 1693, and a member of the Makelaarsgilde. His son Isaac da Fonseca inherited the membership by recommendation of the Amsterdam burgomasters (1190, fols. 39 and 207).
The Kleinkramersgilde (Peddlars' guild) series includes a "Gildeboek voor de Joden" (Guild book for the Jews), which registers the revenues from the Jews who bought the right of the guild, including records from 1808 to 1811.
Archival history
The initial resolutions to dissolve the guilds had no particular impact on their archives. On October 9, 1820, the "provisionele commissarissen" (provisional commissioners) and the officials responsible for the former guilds were compelled to submit a list of property deeds, books, and other documents belonging to the former guilds. However, it was not until 1829 that the city took a more direct interest in the guilds' archives. On August 5, 1829, the Minister of the Interior instructed the "Gouverneurs der Provincie" (Governors of the Province) to inquire to what extent the archives had been transferred and, if not, to see to ensure their transfer to the municipal archives. Twenty days later, the burgomasters and aldermen of Amsterdam ordered the officials responsible for the guilds to transfer within one month the documents of the guilds that were no longer necessary for the administration. Most of the officials complied with this order. On October 15, 1829, only ten guilds were in default. However, the criterion "necessary for the administration" was too vague, and many documents ended up being retained by the officials. To clarify this question, the burgomaster and aldermen forwarded a letter on May 24, 1862, elucidating which books and documents should be delivered. The order to transfer these materials was repeated again on September 30, 1871. By this time, the officials responsible for the archives of nine guilds made new transfers while the remaining ones informed that they had no old books or documents. Seeking to complement the fonds, on June 15, 1879, the deputy archivist of the city of Amsterdam, Nicolaas de Roever, appealed to private individuals, inviting them to hand documents from guilds to the municipal archives. In 1926-27, the deputy archivist, W.F.H. Oldewelt, took over the oldest part of the guilds' registers, then managed by the Town Hall. In 1950, further records were transferred to the City Archives. At present, only late 19th- and 20th-century documents are kept in the Town Hall. With a few exceptions, the guilds' archives are quite incompletely preserved, mainly as a result of the administration of the guilds and of their documentation. The constant changes in the management of the archives and their continuous movement from one location to another, especially in the 19th century, were particularly damaging. Thus, the books and documents that have been preserved chiefly concern financial and membership administration issues. In addition, many acquisitions made by the City Archives in the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century were wrongly placed in the guilds' fonds, often without indication of origin. Also, documents from other fonds, especially those of the municipal administration, have been removed from their original place to different fonds, making researching in these fonds particularly challenging.
Administrative / Biographical history
The oldest guilds in Amsterdam date back to the 14th century. A charter of 1348 mentions the Sint Lycolausgilde (Saint Lycolaus Guild). Over the centuries, more and more guilds were created. In 1486, Amsterdam had 19 guilds. The number increased to 24 in 1570. In 1688, they were 46.
During the 18th century, various guilds were dissolved, and others had already disappeared before. In general, the city government was less and less inclined to allow the creation of new guilds, and, by the 18th century, new guilds were only formed to replace existing ones. The last guild to be newly founded was that of the "houtzaagmolenaars" (sawmillers) in 1695.
The collective term guild included rather diverse associations. It is possible to distinguish three types of guilds: the "ambachtsgilden" (craft guilds), the "schuttersgilden" (military guilds) and the "geestelijke broederschappe" (spiritual brotherhoods). Only masters were accepted as members of the guilds, with only a few exceptions. Their mission was to implement and guarantee the respect of a given profession regulation and to control the acceptance of new members. Guilds also played an important role in supporting sick and old guild brothers, as well as their widows.
Following the new constitution of 1798, a decree on October 5 determined the dissolution of the guilds. However, on January 7, 1803, the Raad (Council) decided the restore most of the guild organisation system in accordance with the constitution of 1801. Five years later, on January 30, 1808, a new law on corporations abolished, once again, all guilds. Municipal authorities were allowed to unite those connected to a certain profession in corporations. However, little came of the implementation of this law, and three months later, it was decided to provisionally maintain the guilds under the supervision of the city council.
On January 31, 1812, the "prefect van het departement der Zuiderzee" (prefect of the department of the Zuiderzee), a major opponent of the guilds, published a new abolition decree. Difficulties arose, after which the Minister of the Interior informed that the matter still had to be decided by the Emperor. Thus, the situation remained ambiguous for a while. Finally, by the royal decree of October 23, 1818, the dissolution of the guilds was declared definitive.
However, a number of guilds continued to exist in modified forms, with different regulations that applied to different activities and professions for some time.
During the 18th century, various guilds were dissolved, and others had already disappeared before. In general, the city government was less and less inclined to allow the creation of new guilds, and, by the 18th century, new guilds were only formed to replace existing ones. The last guild to be newly founded was that of the "houtzaagmolenaars" (sawmillers) in 1695.
The collective term guild included rather diverse associations. It is possible to distinguish three types of guilds: the "ambachtsgilden" (craft guilds), the "schuttersgilden" (military guilds) and the "geestelijke broederschappe" (spiritual brotherhoods). Only masters were accepted as members of the guilds, with only a few exceptions. Their mission was to implement and guarantee the respect of a given profession regulation and to control the acceptance of new members. Guilds also played an important role in supporting sick and old guild brothers, as well as their widows.
Following the new constitution of 1798, a decree on October 5 determined the dissolution of the guilds. However, on January 7, 1803, the Raad (Council) decided the restore most of the guild organisation system in accordance with the constitution of 1801. Five years later, on January 30, 1808, a new law on corporations abolished, once again, all guilds. Municipal authorities were allowed to unite those connected to a certain profession in corporations. However, little came of the implementation of this law, and three months later, it was decided to provisionally maintain the guilds under the supervision of the city council.
On January 31, 1812, the "prefect van het departement der Zuiderzee" (prefect of the department of the Zuiderzee), a major opponent of the guilds, published a new abolition decree. Difficulties arose, after which the Minister of the Interior informed that the matter still had to be decided by the Emperor. Thus, the situation remained ambiguous for a while. Finally, by the royal decree of October 23, 1818, the dissolution of the guilds was declared definitive.
However, a number of guilds continued to exist in modified forms, with different regulations that applied to different activities and professions for some time.
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fonds is divided into 55 series corresponding to different institutions (guilds). Each series is arranged chronologically and according to document type.
Access, restrictions
Digital copies of some materials are available online:
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Kevin Soares, 2022
Linked resources
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